Newbury Racecourse has offered its extensive space while waiving site fees for varying relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among initiatives, Newbury has banded with Age Concern Newbury & District and Swift Couriers, who have delivered meals on wheels in the district for over 50 years, to feed the elderly in West Berkshire during the crisis. The effort is being overseen by Healthwatch West Berkshire in consultation with West Berkshire Council Adult Social Care and Public Health.
In addition to providing a dedicated area of the site, Newbury offers use of available kitchens, chefs and volunteers in addition to a £1,000 donation worth of food from their existing supplies.
“Working closely with the team at Age Concern Newbury & District, Swift Couriers as well as the NHS West Berkshire CCG, hopefully, we can ease some of the pressure on the current services across the borough and provide much needed meals to the most vulnerable,” said Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse, Julian Thick. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff at the racecourse, many of whom are volunteering their services.”
Newbury previously announced an area at the Eastern entrance of the racecourse adapted for the use by the NHS West Berkshire CCG in partnership with local GPs as one of two local walk-in Primary Care Hubs in the district. The area has been set up for local people who are showing early symptoms of Coronavirus but don't need immediate hospital treatment. Other contained areas around the site will continue to be used for the purpose of NHS Blood Donation sessions during this period.
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