Zoom turns to face time as people get connected
AMOVEMENT set up to help Rossendale residents during the pandemic is now creating a lasting legacy.
The first online Zoom Rossendale Connected meeting was held on March 19, 2020, just days before the country was locked down.
It was arranged to unify all public bodies, organisations, statutory bodies, community, voluntary and faith organisations, charities and concerned individuals to provide an immediate and essential response to the pandemic and ensure residents were cared for while restrictions were in place.
Rossendale Connected has continued to work ever since, meeting monthly online and adapting its framework and approach as restrictions have relaxed and new and immediate needs have been identified.
Finally, on April 28 this year, The Big Connect event was held – Rossendale Connected’s first inperson meeting – when about 60 people attended face-to-face at The Ashcroft in Whitworth.
Guest speakers led discussions and then interactive round table talks were held to ensure the future inclusivity of the organisation.
Attendees included: a police inspector; council officers; the Let’s Talk Project, a listening support service; Citizens’ Advice; RAFT – Rossendale’s Foodbank; Little Communities Libraries; representatives of the churches and many more.
Janet O’Driscoll, the group’s original chair until December 2020, and who now attends on behalf of Beacon Dementia and Wellbeing, said now they can meet face-to-face they will be holding two conferences in person each year, but the monthly meetings will remain online as people attend from all over the borough.
Janet added: “Our legacy will be to take forward the Rossendale Health and Wellbeing Plan that has already been adopted.
“This is a strategy to improve the health outcomes for all the residents in Rossendale by giving them choices to make.
“Although we were set up in response to the pandemic, we have built resilience in the community and we are tackling the inequalities that Rossendale Connected has identified.
“There is still much work to be done.”
The key to the movement’s success is that when there is a common goal, barriers are removed and competition is
replaced with collaboration.
For more information about Rossendale Connected, email Projects and Partnerships Officer Jackie Flynn on jackieflynn@rossendalebc.gov.uk.