Hornbaek donates 30,000 face masks

Hornbaek donates 30,000 face masks to local social housing initiative

In the district of Randers Nordby, the ‘Bysekretariatet’ (local secretariat) is currently engaged in a special initiative to improve wellbeing and strengthen relations in a so-called at-risk residential area. With regard to the make-up of its residents, the area has an imbalance compared to the national average, housing many people who are not part of the labour market and who have little or no education.

“We like to provide safe conditions for all of our employees here at the company and therefore ensure that they are given face masks and have access to Coronavirus testing. In the same way, we also like to help out in the local community, if it makes sense to do so. Not everyone is as fortunate as us in these times of Corona. Having had better luck than so many other industries, our industry would like to give something back to others so they can benefit too. That’s why we got in contact with Bysekretariatet,” Katrine Amdi Konradsen from Hornbaek explains.

Hornbaek donates 30,000 face masks
“The face masks are definitely going to make a difference. Some of the families we work with are struggling a lot, so this is a welcome helping hand for them in what is a difficult time. It’s very important that we get Coronavirus infections under control; however, many families in this area are having to prioritise food, or rent money or exercise etc., which are tough choices to make. Any help they receive is significant to them. We all have to wear face masks when out and about, so there is a real need for them,” Louise Hou Kragh, manager of Bysekretariatet tells us.

It was not long before the first face masks were being worn. “We made contact with the families who we know are really struggling, and the larger families. They come and pick the items up from us,” explains Sekretariat manager Louise Hou Kragh, before continuing: “We have also been talking to the local school, following speculation that the final-year pupils who return when the school opens again will have to wear a face covering. We can help to ensure this happens.”

Hornbaek donates 30,000 face masks
Hornbaek donates 30,000 face masks
“Our residents are ‘at-risk’ – we suspect that many are losing their jobs during the Coronavirus pandemic. We haven’t received any figures for this yet, nor are we out of the woods yet, but other crises have shown us that it is those least-well connected to the jobs market who are impacted hardest,” Sekretariat manager Louise Hou Kragh says in conclusion.

The staff working for Bysekretariatet are employed by the local housing association, with the work funded primarily by Landsbyggefonden (Denmark’s National Building Foundation). They cover around 4,000 tenants in just over 2,000 rental properties. Bysekretariatet is working on strategic urban development as part of the master plan for urban development. This is a collaboration between the local council and the housing associations that focuses on breaking the negative social heritage cycle in which children end up so that they get more opportunities in life than their parents.

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