Laughton Common: Post Office branch gets community scheme funding

The post office is one of 25 branches across England chosen as recipients of a grant worth up to £10,000 from the Community Enterprise Fund for their outstanding plans to support local people and businesses, and to tackle isolation amongst the elderly.

Laughton Common Post Office will use the grant to work with Rotherham United’s Football Club’s community programme to engage older men in community based activities using football as a shared interest.

The new club will set up a programme of activities to be delivered at each session, including IT skills training, health and nutrition advice, and exercise to reduce sickness.

Details of the post office branches which have been awarded funds were announced by Minister for Communities Stephen Williams as a recipient of funds to make their idea a reality.

Paula Vennells, Post Office chief executive said: “The Post Office is at the heart of communities across the country and our sub-postmasters understand how they can make a real impact on their customers’ lives.”

“The Community Enterprise Fund builds on this unique role, enabling 25 branches to provide additional services designed around the needs of local people and businesses, such as helping the elderly to access support during cold winters and giving people access to the internet and computer training.”

Stephen Williams said: “The millions of people visiting branches to post cards and parcels at the moment remind us of the huge community role the Post Office plays, but this will not just stop in January, it goes on all year round. Post offices are becoming community hubs, getting local people and businesses involved with each other, learning new skills, and sharing information and this is a big step forward with 25 areas becoming even more active.”