Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF)
Impact in the Brighter Futures Area
The Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) provided funding to local authorities in England during 2021/22, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and support local public health. This allowed local authorities to make tailored responses to local needs. Several projects of the Brighter Futures partnership were funded or partially funded through COMF.
Projects
The Hill Senior Youth Club
- The Hill was funded to provide a senior youth club, which included football sessions as well as more traditional youth club activities. Young people who attended were able to discuss their issues with staff and to access individual sessions where appropriate.
Growing project with Banbury Community Action Group and Harvest at Home in Banbury
- The Community Garden at Bridge Street has enjoyed a renaissance. Banbury Community Action Group has extended its reach and has regular contact with Age Friendly Banbury, Restore (mental health charity) and Home:Start (working with parents of under 5s).
Oxford United in the community working with older people, women and young people
- Participants had the opportunity to improve their physical health through targeted football sessions, and to improve their mental health by participating in a group activity where mental health issues could be discussed.
Starting, a reuse, recycle, upcycle project at the Sunshine Centre
- People who use the Sunshine Centre were encouraged to reuse items which had been donated by accessing a weekly market where the goods could be purchased.
Extending the Banbury Cooking Skills Project
- Group activity had not been possible during the lockdowns. The COMF funding enabled the group to restart and look for new venues
More than just a kick about
During 2021/22, a free, group-based programme was started. The aim was to offer an opportunity to explore different topics promoting positive wellbeing and mental health led by Oxfordshire Mind, alongside a fun, football based physical activity run by Oxford United in the Community.
One of the participants, Olivia*, told the organisers about how deeply the group affected her:
“I joined the wellbeing group sessions because I thought it would be an opportunity to learn some things about mental health and about myself.
I felt I’ve always been teetering on the edge of being ok and finding ways to cope with day-to-day challenges as well as personal life challenges, so the wellbeing group really helped me find a safe space to talk about things and provide different positive ways to cope but to also be able to do more than just cope day to day.
There wasn't really anything that didn't work in general because what might work for others potentially won't work for me and vice versa, overall, for me the sessions were fab!
For me I’ve really got into podcasts and reading, I'm used to just blasting music out and finding that'll plug the issue until that plug isn't sufficient anymore but podcasts and reading has really helped me to focus on other things, take time to really think about what’s bothering me and should I really be letting it bother me so much plus breathing techniques and being mindful of not allowing things to be bigger than they should be.
So as a result of the programme I've actually applied for a new job and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, but I feel more confident in myself that I can do it and be successful in my new career!”
*name changed
Sofia and the Garden
The Bridge Street Community Garden is one of the projects run by the Banbury Community Action Group. It’s open to everyone. It was developed in 2015, in a previously unloved, unused space. As well as regular gardening sessions, the garden hosts events such as the intergeneration fair held in March 2022.
Sofia and her toddler son volunteer at the garden once or twice every week, after going to a volunteering event there Sophia had seen advertised on social media.
"I joined the group of volunteers at Bridge St Garden during a stressful time of my life. I wanted to make new acquaintances for my toddler and me. I had tried mother and toddler groups, but I didn't feel like I belonged, so I decided to give volunteering at the community garden a go.
Giving my time as a volunteer helps me in so many ways. Even though I am not a gardening expert, I find spending time outdoors surrounded by nature very therapeutic.
I also want my young son to find a connection to the natural world, so I bring him along when I volunteer. Children grow up in a fast-paced world dominated by technology; spending time outdoors is essential for their development.
I believe that by contributing to our local community projects (such as Bridge St Garden), we can be part of something bigger.
Being originally from Portugal, I find that meeting people from different backgrounds at the Garden gives me a sense of belonging to the local community which is extremely important to me.”
It’s not just Sofia and her son who have benefitted from her volunteering. The Bridge Street Community Garden Organisers said
“Sofia helps in many ways at the Community Garden. She waters the planters, looks after the plants, helps set up before events and puts tools away after our gardening sessions.
She greets people, making them feel welcome. It is so lovely having Sofia and her son in the Garden. Sofia is always open to get involved and help others”