‘overwhelming’ response to help our communities
EXAMINER’S INFORMATION HUB OFFERS SUPPORT DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
COMMUNITIES across the Examiner’s circulation area have rallied round to help those in need and one another during the Coronavirus crisis.
We have set up an information hub with everything from shops doing home deliveries to people offering to help in any way they can ... and the list is growing by the hour.
There are some brilliant examples ranging from WhatsApp groups being set up in each council ward through to Covid-19 support groups for many areas staffed by dozens of volunteers offering to do everything from shopping and picking up prescriptions through to dog walking and chatting on the phone to those feeling vulnerable or isolated.
Examiner editor Wayne Ankers said: “The response across our entire readership is truly overwhelming.
“People have responded to this national emergency with their determination to do all they can to help people in their own neighbourhoods or across the town.
“Our list of services on offer in your area is growing all the time and our aim is to make it easy for you to find out what’s available where you live and how to contact them.
“By having this central directory it will also save the groups time and effort trying to promote themselves, especially as people are far more restricted to their homes.”
We now have information on help groups in most Huddersfield postcode areas.
Murtaza Ali from Birkby has designed an app which has pulled together WhatsApp groups from each council ward in Huddersfield. To access the app and then join the group in your area then go to https://Huddersfield.glideapp.io
Groups are set up for Greenhead, Lindley, Almondbury, Dalton, Ashbrow, Crosland Moor, Golcar and Colne Valley, Kirkburton, Denby Dale, Holme Valley North and Holme Valley South.
Murtaza said: “The groups already have some local councillors that have accepted the invitation and I have also invited the volunteers and groups listed in your article to join me in this venture.”
Martin Fawcett and Rheme Wild from Linthwaite have set up the Covid-19 UK - Mental Health Support Network which can be contacted at: https://www.facebook.com/groups /1071835003192813/?ref=share
Martin has a background supporting people with mental health and substance use, who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness. Rheme is a person-centred counsellor. They are offering to anyone from anywhere.
Martin said: “The idea of the group is for people with similar experiences to be able to come together and support each other, promote good mental health and perhaps take some strain from services that would otherwise be available.”
People who have a medical condition that makes them extremely vulnerable to coronavirus can now register with the Government for help such as getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. Register on: https://www. gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Madihah Ahmad has a disclosure DBS for children and adults and is volunteering to help the over 70s, the most vulnerable (any age group) and any key workers who require food, shopping or pick-ups.
Madihah is bilingual speaker who can speak English, Punjabi and Urdu and will do anything to help the community. Contact 07753110757 (please leave a message if not available) or email madihahahmad311@ gmail.com
Huddersfield University student Shahnawaz Elahi lives in Huddersfield town centre and is offering to provide any help he can. Contact Shahnawaz Elahi on 07425 662204 or email ellahi_nawaz@yahoo.com
Helen McGurty and her daughter are willing to help the elderly who cannot get out by shopping and dog-walking etc. Contact Helen at dirtygurty@hotmail.com happy to help in any way. 07709 399986.
Barry Simmons eager to help people in anyway, including shopping, and has a car. 07780 471241 or email barrysimmons509@gmail. com.