Chard

What you've told us

Our latest Community Investment survey highlighted that the key focus areas of our delivery are still relevant and very much a need for this community, and positive improvements against our priorities had been recognised in most respondents feedback.

We’ll continue to support the development of food initiatives and access to affordable food to reduce the impact of the Cost of Living. We recognise that Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and drug misuse continue to affect our communities in Chard and that there are key concerns around young people becoming involved in the area. We’re part of a newly developed task force looking to support positive opportunities for young people and promote more positive use of the several green spaces in Chard. Lastly our survey highlighted that social isolation and lack of opportunities to meet others is still a need for many in the area.

Looking forward, we will continue supporting key projects and partners in the area, including supporting the development of the Mobile Community Pantry with Chard Community Hub, to be able to reach a wider community within Chard. Furthermore to support the work towards making customers feel safer within their communities and a greater sense of belonging we’ll continue to look for opportunities to work alongside key partners such as Holyrood Academy, Chard Safety Taskforce, Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS) and others to arrange a series of Community Action Days to bring the community together to strengthen a feeling of pride in their communities and the town in general.

We’ll develop and promote opportunities to meet others within your communities to reduce social isolation in partnership with local community and resident groups. A key partner to support this work within the Chard community is Chard Watch. We’ve a longstanding partnership with this mental wellbeing charity and support the resilience and peer support work they deliver within Chard and the wider community.

• Supporting people into better employment opportunities, while aspiring to increase skill levels within communities, and connecting young people to future possibilities.
• Working with our partners and communities to increase access to health and wellbeing initiatives, improving outcomes for customers and the wider community.
• Develop and deliver a local action plan with housing & community safety to address the increasing concerns of ASB.
• Create new opportunities & build on existing platforms to increase opportunities for customers to connect socially.

We’ve been supporting internal teams to bring change through the Chard Neighbourhood Improvement Plan to reduce crime and increase pride in key areas. We’ve achieved this through a series of customer engagement events, and collaborative working with external agencies including the local Chard Neighbourhood Police team.

We’re also a partner of the newly established, multi-agency, Chard Safety Taskforce. This taskforce is a key driver of supporting Young People in Chard. We’re looking for future solutions and collaboration to help make Chard a safer community, our first focus is around maximising the positive use of Chard's wealth of green spaces in the area, described as ‘taking back the parks’.

Lastly, we’re also a key member of the Chard Food Group in relation to efficiently providing access to affordable food to all who need it. Whether it’s through our Mobile Community Pantry, at the Community Hub or the Lord’s Larder. The Waffle House and Holyrood school are also involved in this network.

We ran Easter workshops to offer an opportunity for the community to come together in a creative way, having fun with food, flowers and crafts reflecting a community celebration. Eight members of the local community joined us to make Easter nests, recycle tin cans and decorations for their garden and create fantastic Easter table displays. There was also a lot of tea and chat, which provided a real sense of community and connection for those who took part.