A LIFELINE for some of the most vulnerable in Winsford and Middlewich throughout the pandemic is set to continue.

Workers from the Weaver Valley Co-operative pubs who were on furlough have been volunteering to prepare, cook and deliver tasty meals through the What's For Tea service.

And even with pubs now back open, staff are continuing to give up their spare time to provide food to residents who need it.

Cllr Damon Horrill, founder of The Hive Live which teamed up with Weaver Valley Co-operative on the project, said: "They have had to go back to their real work now, so they have been doing it in their spare time, but we will be carrying on.

"We have been working with the foodbank for some time, they are in touch with the people who need it more than anyone else."

What's for Tea has served up thousands of two-course meals for residents across Winsford and Middlewich.

Initially targeted at those who were shielding or self-isolating from coronavirus, it has since provided targeted support for residents with foodbank referrals.

It is just one way mid Cheshire's community spirit has shone through during this time of unprecedented crisis, and Cllr Horrill is hoping that spirit will live on.

Knutsford Guardian:

He said: "I am hopeful, more so than ever before, that there is a chance of people getting organised around things that benefit their community.

"I think a despondency has been felt everywhere for a long time, but the way communities have come together is a reason to be hopeful."

With the Government's furlough scheme set to end and businesses already announcing job losses, there are concerns that residents are set to be hit with even more financial hardship in the months ahead.

Cllr Horrill says community initiatives like What's For Tea could well be needed again when the financial impact of Covid-19 takes its toll.

He said: "We do feel that this is not over, and it goes that if we did it in March when we really needed to, then we will feel we should do it if it is needed again.

"Hopefully a social glue will come out of this and support communities, showing them what they can really do together."

A key part of Winsford's 'social glue' in the next few years could be The Hive, which is set to take over the former De Bees site following a crowdfunding campaign.

Work on the project has been ongoing behind the scenes during the pandemic, but with big question marks still hanging over coronavirus restrictions for arts venues, Cllr Horrill is now not expecting The Hive to take shape until next March.

READ > Uniform Exchange to cut the cost of education for Winsford and Middlewich families

"The money that has been raised is ringfenced and will be kept in the bank," he added.

"We hope it will be sooner and if something changes then we will get to work on it, but for now we are looking at March."

For more information on What's For Tea visit whatsfortea.net