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The community in Applecross has been working together to deliver essential services to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The small Wester Ross village has benefited from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund, which is distributed in the region by HIE.
Applecross Community Company (ACC) has secured £20,000 from the fund to support the co-ordination of emergency assistance for residents during the crisis.
In March, Applecross formed a Covid-19 Community Support Group, which is a collaboration of the ACC, the Applecross Community Council, the Applecross Healthcare Association and The Applecross Trust. Their aim is to support a resilient Applecross by mobilising the community in response to COVID-19.
The community quickly came together as soon as lockdown hit and has since been doing its best to protect the most vulnerable residents. Volunteers have been busy delivering groceries and a telephone support line is being provided for people who feel isolated.
A special Facebook page has been set-up for the 225 people who live in Applecross, as a support hub for those who might need help and for volunteers to offer their services. The area is heavily dependent on the tourism industry, but businesses have temporarily closed and many residents remain in isolation.
Hands-on support is helping to address residents who are unemployed and or have had their business affected.
pic David Davidson, Applecross Shop
It's important now to come together and do our best to protect our residents. When this is over, we will come back, as Applecross is always going to attract tourists and we will support our local businesses so that they can flourish again.Roslyn Clarke, development officer, Applecross Community Company
Ian Philp, account manager at HIE, said: “The community response around Applecross has been remarkable. So many people have offered to support residents and the most vulnerable in the area at this unprecedented time. The Supporting Communities Fund will help community groups co-ordinate the best ways to respond to the crisis over the coming weeks and months.”
Roslyn Clarke, local development officer at Applecross Community Company, said: “Applecross is a very popular destination but at this time we are following the government's advice to protect our community. We have an elderly population here, so we have many people at risk and we don't want to put them in danger. Our volunteers have been brilliant, and we are very fortunate that we are all working together as a community."
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