Let’s keep working together A new community plan showcases partnership working in action across the borough before and during the emergency response to Covid-19 The amazing way our community joined forces during the Covid-19 pandemic, to protect our most vulnerable residents, was a great illustration of what can be achieved by residents, businesses, voluntary groups, and public services all working together. Work began on the borough’s new community plan well before the pandemic. However, the local emergency response to Covid-19 showed the spirit and goals of the plan in action. The council and its partners provided support and resources for the community response, but the work of residents was vital to its success. The grassroots networks formed during the pandemic added to Merton’s thriving voluntary sector and partnership working, and it is planned to build upon this success. Let’s Get Together: A Community Plan for Merton 2020–2026, produced by The Merton Partnership, is due to be adopted, having been agreed by partners and can be viewed online. The plan is full of inspirational examples of social activity, including residents who worked together to help others during lockdown and who have dedicated themselves to serving communities across the borough. The Merton Partnership is a close-knit group including the council, public bodies, businesses, faith groups and voluntary services, which are at the heart of planning the borough’s community services. The development of the new plan was led by former Fire Brigade Borough Commander Darren Tulley and Police Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar. The plan sets out the Merton Partnership’s long-term aspirations for the borough and aims to inspire more communal activity to revitalize neighborhoods and build strong social support networks. Several best practice examples of community-led activities are showcased in the plan, including Merton Mutual Aid, Sustainable Merton’s Community Champions programme and the Dons Local Action Group, to help inform and inspire people to see what can be achieved when they get involved. The Community Plan informs funding decisions in relation to Merton Giving (Merton’s community giving fund) and the Neighborhoods Fund. Evidence suggests a major link between stronger communities and improvements to daily lives, such as lower crime rates, better general wellbeing, and fewer residents experiencing loneliness and isolation. SENTHILINGAM an elder in the local Tamil community, who made food for the NHS, key workers and people in need.

Senthilingam FRSPH ,MHCIMA .LCGI ,MCPD, MRIPH , MBNF