Nearly one month on from the tragedy in Keyham, the Council and partners continue to work together to support the local community on the road to recovery.
Since 12 August, dozens of organisations have rallied together to provide support for Keyham – this includes helping local people through an extensive outreach programme to make sure people are able to access the care and wellbeing help they need and ensuring that the many tributes that have been left around the community have been sensitively removed so they can be preserved for the families in the future. The Council and local ward councillors, are now working with partners on a longer term recovery programme for the area, to ensure that Keyham can built back, stronger than ever.
Over the weeks and months ahead, support will continue to be offered from a range of different venues, and using face to face and virtual support – we are currently working with the community to find out what they would like this to look like to meet their needs. From the 13 September we will be trialling a Community Hub’ initially based at Keyham Green Places,163 Renown Street, open 11am to 4pm.
And information continues to be updated online www.plymouthtogether.co.uk
Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “It’s hard to fathom that a whole month has gone by since this awful tragedy and I know that people here in Plymouth are all still reeling from the shock, scale and impact of the events of that awful evening.
“A number of funerals have taken place this week and our thoughts are with the families who are still coming to terms with this loss.
“It is true to say that August 12 rocked us as a city but the immediate aftermath of that night and the response from the public and the community – not just in Keyham – but across the city has been truly touching.
“I am still in awe of the first responders who bravely ran to the aid of people in Keyham that evening and am humbled by community groups, the local councillors and the MPs who came together in a remarkable way and rallied in our time of need – and still do.
“We are currently involved in a vast amount of work to support the community and families, with hubs being set up and offering support to all who need it.
“Recovery won’t happen overnight. It won’t be easy. It will take time and effort and a range of initiatives to help residents in Keyham feel safe and support for the wider community.
“It will also need funding, which is why alongside the city’s MPs, I met with Ministers to discuss how Government departments can provide the resources needed to ensure the necessary level of support, particularly for mental health and our young people over the next few years.”
The people of Plymouth are also being asked to help support the community, and come together to raise money through the new Plymouth Together Fund. Thousands of pounds has already been donated to various charities, groups and organisations to help support the communities impacted by the tragedy and help them rebuild and restore.
The wider community are now being asked to support the Fund and help with the fundraising effort – considering ideas such as bake sales, sponsored bike rides, car washing challenge or holding a pub quiz.
Councillor Terri Beer, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, added: “I can’t believe that it has been a whole month since the heart-breaking tragedy in Keyham. What happened in those few minutes will be felt by the City of Plymouth for years and years to come.
“The support that has been offered has been outstanding, but it is clear that more will be needed. We have a history of being a generous city. So I ask people to dig deep and come together to help raise vital funds that will be used to help Keyham rebuild.”
To help co-ordinate the fundraising, and ensure that funding is collected safely and distributed to those who need it, the Wolseley Trust will be the co-ordinating ‘hub’ for the collections. Working arm-in-arm with the community, they will then distribute the funding to the families of the victims and also to other local projects, groups and activities that support the recovery of the area.
Lots of information is available online giving people ideas and suggestions. Go to www.plymouthtogether.co.uk
If you would like to discuss your ideas for fundraising, or ask for help / offer support, email plymouthtogether@plymouth.gov.uk