Tackling loneliness has always been a priority for me and over the past couple of years I have been working to bring together key organisation in an around Swindon to discuss the excellent work that is already taking place and what further can be done.
It has become even more of an issue in recent months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why I am calling on as many local residents as possible to take part in a new campaign called the Christmas Cardathon.
By sending a Christmas card to an older person living in a care home you could help bring festive cheer to someone who might be feeling particularly lonely this year.
To take part, please send a Christmas card to Christmas Care Home Cardathon, Care Home Volunteers, % First City House, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, 114 Darby Close, Swindon, SN2 2QG.
If cards arrive by 11th December, the Care Home Volunteers will deliver them to local care homes the week before Christmas.
The Conservative government is committed to eliminating rough sleeping by 2024. During the Covid crisis, we have made huge progress in providing the necessary accommodation with my Department amongst others funding new facilities.
Here in Swindon, Threshold Housing are working with the Council, charities and other partners – backed by over £700 million of government funding this year alone – to protect the most vulnerable in society, as part of their commitment to end rough sleeping for good.
Although Threshold will not be able to host their annual ‘BIG Sleep Out’ due to public health directives, this year they are encouraging supporters to host their own ‘Supporting the Homeless Bubbles’.
You can find out more by clicking on the following link: https://www.thl.org.uk/events/thresholds-big-swindon-supporting-the-homeless-bubbles/?fbclid=IwAR15jSY7fcBVY0ZpovjOtGnnl0Pia0PZaqAuSgZT_vadO7KFTJF5DsMIbu8
A year ago, the Conservatives were campaigning on a promise to level up every part of the country. Despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced this year we have kept our promise to those left behind communities.
In the recent Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that we are boosting funding in our schools by £14 billion over the next three years as part of our commitment to level up education standards so that every child can get a good education.
The government is investing nearly £20 billion to support new housing, including the £7.1 billion national house building fund and £12.2 billion affordable homes fund.
Providing £9.4 billion in capital funding next year to improve our NHS alongside our programme to build 40 new hospitals and upgrade 70 hospitals.
As Justice Secretary, I am also pleased to have helped secure almost £4.4 billion of investment to increase court capacity, create more prison places and support victims. As part of this funding, £337 million extra will be spent support the government’s crime agenda – delivering swift and effective justice to convict offenders, support victims and protect the winter public.
