Who is your Community Development Officer?
I'm Bobby Tait; the Community Development Officer working in Chard.
I've been in the role for 18 months and love working with the community of Chard and particularly the groups who do so much to improve the lives of others there. There is such a strong sense of community and belonging which I think is rare these days and has been formed partly from the isolation of the town.
In my previous job I managed an energy shop for Utilita Energy in Gosport, Hampshire and so I can appreciate the costs people are facing in just trying to provide the basics such as a warm home with food on the table.
You said, we did
You said:
There are barriers to accessing skills development, training and employment opportunities.
We did:
We funded The WATCH Project for a year, creating more opportunities for local residents to build confidence, develop new skills and gain practical experience. Through tailored support and personal development activities, the project helps individuals overcome barriers, improve their employability and take positive steps towards training, volunteering and sustainable employment opportunities.
You said: We’d like more support to reduce the impact of the rising cost of living and provide greater financial relief for local households.
We did:
Through our partnership with Chard Community Hub, we funded the expansion of the Mobile Community Pantry service, enabling it to operate on an additional day each week. This increased capacity has created four extra stops across rural and isolated communities, improving access to affordable food for residents who may otherwise struggle to reach local support services. By bringing essential food provision directly into communities, the project is helping to ease financial pressures, reduce household costs and provide vital support to those most affected by the cost of living.
