Millfield links with local council for community support

Millfield School in Street, Somerset is working with the District and Parish Council, The Salvation Army, Crispin Hall and the Community Centre on a number of initiatives, including becoming a delivery ‘hub’, to help the local community during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The leading independent school has helped to develop several systems for the management and delivery of prescriptions, as well as setting up community support links and donating and distributing food. Over 100 volunteers from the Millfield community have signed up for the initiative, which includes students, staff, parents and former pupils of the school.

Specific examples include:

• Developing the management and delivery of prescriptions, delivering over 120 prescriptions locally so far

• Opened a fund for the alleviation of hardship in Street and Glastonbury through the provision of food and domestic products, which has already raised £4,000 in generous donations from key donors

• Shopping for over 40 individuals

• Delivering over 1500 information leaflets

• Introducing neighbours as part of the ‘Buddy’ system

• Collecting food from numerous businesses and re-distributed it throughout the community

• Holding a free fresh produce market in collaboration with the Salvation Army with over £2,500 worth of food donated by Millfield School.

• Developed a website and social media platforms to further connect the community

• Purchased numerous phones to support our communication needs

• Signposted many individuals to other services

Students from the school have also sent virtual messages of support to residents in lockdown at a local care home in Keinton Mandeville. Former Millfield Prep and current Millfield Year 9 students Eloise, Maddy, Winnie, Sophie, Charlotte, Lucy, Grace and Daisy sent personalised video messages to the residents at Beech Tree House Care Home, including to a former member of Millfield’s Grounds and Gardens and Catering staff, Pete.

Millfield Headmaster Gavin Horgan says, “It has been heartening to see so many members of the local community work together to provide much needed support for their neighbours and friends. It is vital that we, as a community, come together during this time, and I’m honoured that Millfield can play a small part to help. It is clear that this volunteer group has already made a massive difference, and we are continuing to provide support and expand our efforts in the coming weeks. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their support so far.”

If you are interested in joining the group of volunteers, please email tucker.s@millfieldschool.com