COVID brings Ramsgate people together in an effort based on partnership, kindness, concern for others and a desire just to help

The end of September saw HRH The Princess Royal visit students, staff and key partners at the Royal Harbour Academy, Ramsgate in recognition of the extensive work undertaken during the pandemic, much of which continues. The Head Teacher, Simon Pullen, greeted HRH Princess Anne after she arrived by helicopter and welcomed her to the school.

After a short refreshment break, she spent most of her visit talking to students and staff about their experiences during the Covid lockdown and beyond. The school was highly praised for its efforts in keeping students motivated and in adapting quickly to the fast-changing situation, which saw staff having to teach online and support students and families in need and crisis. I work for Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) and as a school Mentor, was invited to attend in recognition of a much-valued partnership working with the school for several years. Together with the Schools Academic Mentor, Di Bourne, we try to go above and beyond to support young people and ensure their progression from Year 11 is as positive as it can be. It is a great honour to work with the school and its students. We have lived through strange and worrying times and being able to adapt my work during lockdown to support essential deliveries was exhausting but rewarding.

I also got the chance to talk to HRH Princess Anne about the way the community just ‘stepped up’ to help each other. I am a Ramsgate Town Councillor who was involved in the setting up of Radford House food bank supported fully by Ramsgate Town Council (RTC), I was blown away by the human kindness, concern and care shown by Ramsgate Town Council staff, Sharon Goodyer of ‘Our Kitchen’, Carl Whitehead of Ramsgate’s Salvation Army and CACT who quickly worked together to supply all Thanet’s food banks, within days of the lockdown beginning. Sharon Goodyer sourced and funded most of the food from FareShare in Ashford, with RTC staff collecting, off-loading, sorting and redistributing it from Radford House (the Old Fire Station). Tonnes of food was handled by this team on a weekly basis, with daily deliveries to all Thanet’s food banks, who then oversaw the individual deliveries to households in need. Unable to work directly with young people, CACT gave me permission to undertake food deliveries as part of Carl Whitehead’s large team of volunteers and with Di Bourne at the school taking referrals from the school, Covid-safe doorstep visits were possible.

I was very worried at the start of the lockdown and my anxieties were often shared on the doorstep, from a safe two metres, with a mask on and plenty of hand sanitiser, but somehow listening and trying to support locals with concerns helped me overcome my own. We are not out-of-the-woods yet, but I feel confident that this fabulous community of ours will bounce back.

Students at the school presented HRH The Princess Royal with one of the ceramic Pugin tiles designed by one of the students. Many of the tiles are now installed on Kent Steps and are much loved. This was part of a heritage project led by RTC Town Promoter, Rebekah Smith, another fine example of how we maximise benefits for all by working together.

Written by:
Councillor Becky Wing,
Councillor for Central Harbour Ward