Support squad out in force for villages
Teens’idea grows into huge community operation
The communities of Drymen, Croftamie and Buchanan have come together to help deal with the consequences of Covid-19 in their area.
At the start of social distancing two young girls, Rebecca Macfarlane and Holly Baxter, both 15, from Drymen, came up with a plan to deliver shopping to their vulnerable neighbours.
Within hours the whole community, including Croftamie and Buchanan had joined together to serve the villages.
There are currently 104 volunteers, carrying out a number of essential services. They are backed by many of the villages’ local voluntary groups and supported by businesses.
The local food shops – SPAR Drymen, David MacDonald Butcher and the Village Shop - are taking telephone orders for volunteers to deliver twice a week. Items not available locally are also being collected by volunteers from supermarkets and wholesalers.
The operation has been helped by the loan of plastic wipeable clipboards from Drymen Show Committee.
A food parcel system has been set up to help, supported by donations from the local community and Drymen Youth Café, to help families facing financial challenges.
Emotional support is also being provided, with check in phone calls.
Internet access has been arranged for those who had previously relied on the local library, cafes and pubs.
Drymen and Croftamie Community Councils, Drymen Primary School and Drymen Community Trust have been
I have found the service invaluable as I am stuck at home. They are supporting me by delivering my weekly shopping Agnes McQueen Croftamie
supporting the efforts, with the trust helping with applications for community support grants.
Volunteers have helped with a host of requests, including helping a villager get an order of service designed and printed for a local man’s funeral.
One Drymen resident said: “I am staying indoors so I very much welcome the service. The delivery people are friendly and polite and doing a great service for the villages. Thank you also to the village shops for their hard work.”
Agnes McQueen of Croftamie said: “I have found the service invaluable as I am stuck at home. They are supporting me by delivering my weekly shopping.”
Ross Allan of Buchanan added: “We greatly appreciate all the help we have been given by our local volunteers, who so kindly bring us shopping and go that extra mile with a smile.”
More than £1000 has already been raised via the effort’s Gofundme support page (Drymen Covid-19 Support Fund).
Louise Macfarlane from the organising team paid tribute to the volunteers.
She said: “We are thankful so many local people have offered to help. Each person’s contribution is making a real difference in these incredibly challenging times.”
People can connect with the group via their Facebook page - Covid-19
Supporting the vulnerable in Drymen and new website - www.drymensupport.co.uk
If you are in Drymen, Croftamie and Buchanan and need help, or are able to volunteer contact Louise Macfarlane (info@theuniquecompany.co.uk ) or Amanda Reid (amandareid@mac.com).