*Photo taken well in advance of COVID-19 social distancing measures being introduced
Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed further support for Wolverhampton in the fight against COVID-19. The Government has allocated £474,943 to Wolverhampton as part of its Community Champions scheme.
The programme will strengthen support for communities at higher risk of COVID-19. It has been designed to build trust, communicate accurate health information, and ultimately help to save lives. The funding will support areas to tackle misinformation and encourage take-up as the vaccination programme expands across the country.
The scheme has been inspired by the incredible efforts of faith and community leaders, volunteers, friends, and neighbours. In Wolverhampton, volunteers will receive training and be part of a city-wide network to share the latest information and advice regarding COVID-19 with families, friends, and the local community. A current priority for the network will be to help share facts and address misinformation and myths about vaccination. Community Champions will also help city leaders better understand the community's concerns and shape our response to these concerns based on their ideas and feedback.
Stuart has been working hard to ensure that constituents have the information that they need during this unprecedented time. He is urging everyone to use the SHARE checklist before they like, comment or share or content online. It can be found at https://sharechecklist.gov.uk/. Stuart is now encouraging constituents to become Community Champions by sending him an email at stuart.anderson.mp@parliament.uk or via the City Council's website here.
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “It is vital that everyone has access to accurate and up to date information about COVID-19. False information about COVID-19 vaccines could cost lives. Today’s funding will help councils and community groups expand some of the excellent work already underway and reach out to their communities to ensure they have the information they need and get their questions answered. Ultimately this funding will help save lives.”
Stuart Anderson MP: “Wolverhampton has a wonderfully diverse population, and we need to make sure that we are reaching out to and including everyone in our plan to tackle COVID-19. There is always more that we can do to protect groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and I am pleased that we have received this funding to deliver on that. In Wolverhampton, the scheme will boost support to areas of our community that are most at risk, help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, and ensure that vaccinations, testing, and other support is easily accessible by everyone.”