Thousands sign up to help others
SUPPORT groups have been set up to keep the Hyndburn public informed and working together to battle the coronavirus, as the death toll across the county continues to steadily rise.
More than 2,350 people have signed up to the Hyndburn COVID 19 Mutual Aid - Official Group on Facebook in a matter of days.
It’s part of a wider network of hundreds of volunteer-staffed groups nationwide registered with the National Mutual Aid group to address issues - both direct and indirect - caused by the outbreak.
Other, more localised Facebook pages - including one for Huncoat and Altham residents - have also been created, while Conservative councillors have extended an offer to collect and deliver shopping to those in need.
As well as access to essential supplies during self-isolation, issues being addressed by the support group include viability of food banks, cross contamination, loneliness, tools for small businesses to adapt, holiday hunger, and sharing latest official advice.
The Facebook group came together at the weekend to address a shortfall in local community support or advice. Meetings have already been held on Sunday, organised by Hyndburn Helpers, and Tuesday.
Group founder Kimberley Whitehead, herself in a high-risk category due to a health condition, said the community response shows the strength of the community and people looking out for each other.
She said: “The most important thing is to make sure that you comply with government advice. Make sure you are up to date. For Hyndburn residents and our local areas I think my message is ‘know your neighbour’. Know who the vulnerable people may be in your immediate vicinity like people with immune conditions like myself who are going to be selfisolating for long periods.”
Kimberley acknowledged there are safeguarding concerns around volunteers, as well as practical considerations of mobilising large groups of people during a public health crisis, insisting she will very soon be coordinating the group while in lockdown at her home.
Ten thousand information cards have been printed which will be delivered through people’s doors so that anyone not online can find out more information.
Kimberley added: “People might lose their jobs, a lot of children going to school is the only time that they will get a proper meal. We are back to looking at holiday hunger. It’s not just the children and high risk families. A lot of people are on zero hours contracts. Food banks - will they survive in this? You’re back to cross contamination. Can they accept food, there are a lot of questions. What’s the alternative if the food banks close? This is a discussion that we need to have.”
She added that Hyndburn Helpers are coordinating foodbanks locally.
The Conservative councillors’ association are starting a food purchase and delivery service of behalf of residents who may be having to selfisolate.
Leader Coun Tony Dobson said: “Those people may have no immediate family. We are offering to go out and make purchases and deliver to homes for them.”
To make use of this service email tdob@aol. com or call 07774 470870.
There were 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Lancashire as of Tuesday, although the real number of cases is believed to be far higher. A more localised breakdown is no longer being made available as the numbers rise.
The NHS has moved to cancel all non-emergency surgery after the UK-wide death toll climbed to 71.