So much more to do before we party
JULIET SHORT, operations and development manager at Connex Community Support, reflects on what we’ve achieved and learned during the pandemic – and what might follow
IT’S not time to party yet. Another busy fortnight and with the transition into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions (at least for now), local charities in common with businesses are still finding it hard to navigate this changing terrain and to know how best to operate.
In common with other businesses, we have staff who furloughed and flexi-furloughed and struggling to make ends meet. We too have staff, clients (and volunteers) who would like a little bit of normality.
However, unlike many businesses, charities are exempt from the gatherings limit currently defined in Tier 3. Yet, in a climate where chickens are now going into their own ‘lockdown’ to slow down the transmission of avian flu, is this an appropriate moment to provide face-to-face support for groups or individuals?
If cafes and pubs aren’t open, should groups be openly encouraged to mingle and bring their own takeaway drinks or flasks, or even pizza as mooted at one local forum?
While the voluntary sector prides itself on collaboration, it is safe to say there is some dissension with regards to what represents exemplary practice.
At Connex, we have been fortunate that none of our staff and few of our volunteers and clients have had Covid-19. We want to keep it this way.
In practice, stakeholders hold the key to the way in which services operate. For example, Macmillan fund Readycall (our befriending project) and they have deemed that it is not yet the moment to resume face-to-face contact. Other services with different stakeholders operate differently. Our volunteer transport service ceased in the spring but has played an increasingly important role in getting people to urgent medical appointments once hospitals recommenced routine screening and operations.
It is fair to say we can’t wait to do more and move towards a more connected way of life. The vaccinations of people in care homes can’t come soon enough. We have felt for everyone whose loved ones are in care homes.
To learn that partners have been separated for months after decades of married life has been heart-rending. It’s been dispiriting not being able to provide transport to people wanting to visit loved ones.
The risk-benefit analysis of these situations has been intolerable for all parties. These first steps in the vaccination programme are crucial and we are hopeful they will provide a guiding light out of the pandemic tunnel.
For all the heartache, we have learnt and grown during the pandemic: it has given us pause for reflection.
It has given us opportunities to collaborate with new partners and opportunities to explore new ways to make an emotional impact from a distance.
We have loved sharing poetry; mindfulness colouring; ‘snail-mail’ letters and plant care.
We have embraced finding new ways of reminding people that they matter and look forward to extending and adapting our mindful approach.
In the words of Jaclyn: “Now is a good time to think about the little things that together make a big difference.
“The more we can all focus on good things the better for our mental health and wellbeing, so a big ‘Thank You’ for thoughtfully addressing this issue in a practical way.”
We are talking to care homes about how we might facilitate additional support so care homes are more integrated into our communities.
We are working on an exciting new youth project and working closely with local partners to help with the provision of joined-up health and social care.
While our resilience will continue to be tested, we can all continue to quietly celebrate the awesome volunteers who selflessly devote their time to local charities, and thank the communities that fundraise. Without all these kindnesses, life would be a whole lot bleaker for us all. Thank you.
The Community Resilience Unit remains open for referrals on 01629 535901. Our number for enquiries is 01335 348600.