A leading social support organisation that announced six months ago it was struggling with a 50 per cent drop in fundraising compared with the previous year has relaunched a group to boost charity work.

The Salvation Army said its Social Mission Community Council had been paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, when members could no longer meet in person.

This year, Lieutenant Lester Ward, executive director of the Salvation Army’s community services, and his team took steps to reactivate it.

Lieutenant Ward said: “It’s more of a remobilisation. “The goal and purpose behind it is to have community involvement and another fresh set of lenses, from an outside perspective, that might be able to share some insights and ideas on how we can move the mission of The Salvation Army forward.”

The council is made up of volunteers from different corners of the island, with some representing organisations that consistently collaborate with The Salvation Army.

Members meet bimonthly, receive updates on the work in Bermuda and discuss ways to enhance fundraising efforts, as well as housing, food security and outreach services.

“We wanted diversity within the group because many brains come up with more great ideas,” Lieutenant Ward added.

“We don’t all think the same thing and that outside perspective helps us become better known throughout the island.”

One of the committee’s priorities is supporting the renovation of the charity’s Harbour Light building, which provides addiction recovery and support services. The group will seek to identify ways to make the project more cost-effective.

Lieutenant Ward said benefits from the council’s re-establishment could already be seen, including regaining fundraising locations that had dropped from use.

“This all has been an amazing resource,” he added.

Beverly Daniels, chairwoman of the community council and former executive director, said the commitment shown by the advisers had been inspiring.

She said: “When I asked each member if they were willing to serve again, without exception, everyone said, ‘Count me in.’

“It gave them a sense of purpose and they feel very connected.”