Article from Linconshirelive, by Jack Flintham, Community Reporter, February 2021

'A Community Centre has been adapted to offer vital support to villagers'

Gringley on the Hill Community Centre is hosting various services to people in their community including a weekly post office.

Chris Elliott, Chair of Gringley on the Hill Community Centre, said: "During the first lockdown back in March, the Community Centre was used as the hub for 'Here to Help', our local charity group that was set up to help the vulnerable and elderly within our community. Now we have guidance in order for us to open safely, we can host a variety of activities including a weekly post office offering full services, grocery deliveries and office space. Some of our regular users who have previously held exercise classes are using the hall to offer their classes via Zoom. The Community Centre has become an integral part of our local community."

One aspect of the Community Centre which is proving to be a great help to villagers is the office space which is now being offered.  "The office space we are offering has also proved to be very popular during this Lockdown, especially with children at home learning."  Mr Elliott continued, "it enables professionals to have their own space for a few hours, or to have online meetings." 

Paul Groves, Health and Safety Officer for the Centre, explained, "It's taken some time to complete the risk assessments and to ensure everything is safe, and then produce procedures for users so spaces are fully sanitised after use. But we've satisfactorily completed full assessments and can confidently invite users into the Centre. We have also invested in a fogger which emits atomised droplets of sanitiser solution so the larger areas can be fully sanitised efficiently and safely"