The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live and work dramatically over a very short period of time. Many organisations are understandably struggling to adapt to these new challenges, however some, like Cedarwood Trust, based in the Meadow Well Estate in North Shields have risen to the challenge.
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Voda North Tyneside caught up with Cedarwood’s CEO Wayne Dobson in between his many new tasks to find out more about how they have been able to respond so quickly and what they are doing to support the local community during this crisis.

The Trust began to contingency planning for the outbreak in the last week in January as Wayne became aware of the situation in China and developing around the world. Part of this planning included a gradual adaptation of their daily activities so that they could be responsive in the event of a lockdown.

Wayne commented: “As a small lean and agile charity we can react quickly to emerging needs and for forty years Cedarwood Trust has done that, listening at a grassroots level to the concerns and aspirations of residents not only on the Meadow Well, but also where the families have moved off the estate and into new homes across North Tyneside. These families have not forgotten their roots and the support Cedarwood Trust has provided to them throughout our forty years.”

“Cedarwood Trust is part of the history of the area, with its fortieth anniversary as a charity this year. Initially established by residents before forming as a charity, there was a credit union to alleviate loan sharking and a community co-op store, plus it provided pastoral care and promoted the values of being a good neighbour. This is very much our ethos in following simple Christian values of been a good neighbour to all. And it’s the value of being a good neighbour that informs Cedarwood trust in its present and future.”

The Trust made the decision to stay and walk alongside the community, offering the support that has been a constant from the 1980’s. Wayne was shocked when he saw the level of panic buying which saw the supermarket shelves stripped bare, knowing that this was likely done by people who had financial means to do so. Whereas the majority of people that Cedarwood supports live in persistent poverty and who do not have the means to stockpile or panic buy.

Many residents in the area survive using low budget supermarkets and have to resort to borrowing, loaning and exchanging to feed their families and make ends meet, but the lockdown has put a stop to their ability to do this.

“Life is hard not for days or weeks, life is hard for many years and sometimes from cradle to the grave for people in persistent poverty.  We had to stay and help as to close and walk away at the time of the greatest need is against all that The Cedarwood Trust represents,” reflects Wayne.

As of 6th July 2020, the Cedarwood Trust has achieved:

They are working closely with the Whitley Bay Round Table to develop and implement a network of Big Batch Cooking, which is a collective group of restaurants who prepare, cook and chill down the meals within a commercial setting.

​This group – which includes Chef Mark Spratt from Evans Bistro, Chef Adam Weir from Gateshead College, Chef Sangeeta Chopra from Namaste Taste of India, the Crab & Waltzer kitchen and freezer space and Chef Jen from Evans on The Wall – is all coordinated by a WhatsApp group which in itself is seeing former competitors forging close friendships.

Cedarwood is also inviting local people to share videos on their Facebook page so that people can let friends and family know how they are as well as keeping people updated with what they are doing as well as sharing things to do at home, and useful community information.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, our staff have maintained their presence throughout the community with outreach to deliver meals and support to those who need it. We're very proud of adding to these numbers every day:

You can help us and support our work by donating to the Cedarwood Trust here.

We've received an important message from Craig Woolf at the North Community Power CiC regarding gas and electricity during this time.

Many people are still unaware of the Priority Services Register which is a legal requirement put on all gas and electricity network operators. Any household with physical, medical or mental health vulnerabilities and all households with children under five or retirees are eligible to be on the register. If at any time your gas or electricity supply is cut off those on the register will get preferential support according to their needs. 

We have been running a pilot project on behalf of Northern Power Grid and Northern Gas Networks to increase awareness and the numbers of people on the register in North Tyneside. You can sign up to the register through your energy supplier or directly through Northern Power Grid and Northern Gas Networks here.

The register is free of charge and while some may already be signed up we know many who do qualify are not. 

As this is a time of some confusion and many vulnerable households are worried about the implications of isolation I’d be happy to provide any advice, guidance or assistance to sign up to the register if anybody thinks they might qualify. This again is free of charge and not just for those living in North Tyneside.

You can contact Craig at: craigwoolf64@gmail.com or 07739863603

Craig Woolf
Project manager- Northern Community Power CiC

​600 leaflets delivered to homes
30 meals cooked
8 wellbeing telephone calls
1 food bank referrals
3 online inquiries responded to
36 isolation meals delivered to homes

Thank you again to 8 volunteers, 2 of which are new to supporting the centre and are local residents and our 4 staff.

600 leaflets delivered to homes
74 meals cooked
8 wellbeing telephone calls
8 food bank referrals
7 food bank parcels delivered to homes
2 online inquiries responded to
12 isolation meals delivered to homes
1 winter warm pack delivered to home
4 food donations brought in

Thank you again to 8 volunteers, 2 of which are new to supporting the centre and are local residents and our 4 staff.
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We are continuing to enjoy the interaction (at a distance) that we are able to have with people and meeting new pets is always a bonus... Benji was very welcoming!!😊

During our centre closure, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers have been working hard to ensure those within the community are supported during this unprecedented time. Today we have achieved:

800 leaflets delivered to homes
77 meals cooked
6 wellbeing telephone calls
3 food bank parcels delivered to homes
9 online inquiries responded to
4 isolation meals delivered to homes
2 baby parcels delivered to homes
1 winter warm pack delivered to home
1 bedding delivered to home

Thank you too a the team of 4 volunteers and five staff today - we are here for the community.

It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close the centre in line with government advice to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable groups who access the centre during this unprecedented time.

Although these are difficult times the Cedarwood Trust is committed to supporting the local residents and we will still be providing outreach support using the centre as a base for activities including:

Free home meals delivered to those in need (first come basis)

Telephone support-contact us if you feel isolated, low, or need a good old natter.

We have a range of activities, jigsaws, dvds, books etc... Please ask if you would like to borrow these and we can deliver.

We have a limited number of winter warm packs which include a hot water bottle and thermal cup etc.

We will continue to interact with you all via telephone and social media so please keep an eye out for all updates and ideas of things to keep you entertained!

Again apologies from all of us at Cedarwood but remember to call 😊

We have a dedicated collection bin for baby food pouches at the centre for you to drop off. These pouches are not usually accepted in your recycling collections from home, but can be reused into other materials. We're accepting these pouches at the centre so please do help us avoid them going to landfill!