ARMY OF KIND HEARTS
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS: THEY’RE DOING THEIR BIT FOR BRITAIN
VOLUNTEER Ellie Winfield gently places a carrier bag on the doorstep of a semi.
It contains a few essentials, bread, chicken and cheese, but is the difference between peace of mind and worry for a family.
Laura Ross, 41, is in hospital, suffering a neurological disorder, while her children Charlotte, 21, and Sam, 10, are stuck inside the family home in Beeston, Nottingham, self-isolating due to an underlying health issue.
Now there is one less thing for them to worry about as a support group near their home has stepped in to help. Ellie, 37, of the Beeston and Chilwell Area Mutual Aid Group, is just one of an army of volunteers doing their bit to help in the crisis.
As her kids Elliot, five, and Emelia, three, wait patiently, Ellie texts Charlotte to say the delivery is there.
Then Ellie, who also volunteers at a food bank, tells me: “It is really important we care and look after our elderly and vulnerable members of the community.”
For Laura, it has been a lifeline. Messaging from hospital, she says she had hoped an online shopping order would supply her children
while she is in hospital. Laura says: “Charlotte is selfisolating as she has arthritis and is on immune suppressing drugs.
“We hoped we would be fine as we managed to get an online delivery slot but a quarter of the shopping didn’t come.
“Thankfully, a volunteer from the group was on hand to help my children. The group has been a godsend. To know there are amazing people out there helping my family while I’m in hospital means so much.
“I am part of the group and I am trying to help with the admin, as I can’t physically help.”
Residents across the UK have created support groups via Facebook and WhatsApp to link elderly or vulnerable residents with volunteers who can collect shopping and medication, post letters or even walk the dog.
Paul Swift, 54, helped set up the Beeston and Chilwell group, which has more than 2,000 volunteers. When we meet up, Paul has a van of food and household items ready to be delivered to those in need.
After heading to a local pub we co-ordinate the deliveries and make drop-off plans.
A few elderly residents living alone approach Paul, who matches them with a volunteer living close-by.
After Ellie drops off Laura’s groceries, we get smiles and nods of appreciation from other neighbours. There is a real sense of community. Later, Paul is due to pick up medication for
The scheme shows just how much community spirit there really is
PAUL SWIFT SUPPORT GROUP ORGANISER
a mum, for her poorly son, but it is cancelled at the last minute.
Paul explains the woman had found a relative to help. He says: “Plans are always changing at the last minute, because people’s circumstances can change.”
But he says: “I have an uncle of 83 and an aunt of 77 with health problems. I wouldn’t like to think of them struggling if they didn’t have me. Not everybody has relatives nearby.
“We have been posting leaflets through doors so everyone
knows we are here. This scheme shows just how much community spirit there is.”
Many others are trying to help out. A local taxi firm, Nottingham-based DG Cars, is delivering free milk and bread to over-65s and frontline NHS
workers. They have teamed up with a local takeaway and food store, and hope to offer the service every day until the outbreak is over.
The firm says: “In times like these we all need to come together.” Elsewhere, people are putting up Christmas lights to bring cheer in the dark days ahead.
Gail Challoner, who has her lights back on in Tiverton, Devon, says: “I love Christmas, so any excuse.”
Elisabeth Forsythe,
33, has hers lit up in Aigburth, Liverpool, and says: “We need people to feel happy and not fearful.”