Magpies support helpline continues to offer service
The need for Maidenhead United’s COVID-19 community support helpline has never gone away, according to chairman Peter Griffin. But the club’s efforts to help the elderly and most vulnerable in the community have been stepped up in the last few weeks after the country was placed into lockdown once again.
The community care helpline was established in response to the COVID-19 crisis last year, to support those who were forced to stay at home or were shielding against the virus. The scheme supports those who are struggling to continue with day-to-day tasks such as shopping for essential supplies, picking up prescriptions or even walking the dog. However, Griffin has seen how valuable the scheme has been this year and says it’s likely to be continued beyond the end of the pandemic.
“It’s been more in demand as the weeks have passed,” he said. “But the need for it never went away. At various stages, and with people in different tiers and shielding it’s carried on strongly.
“It’s such a valuable tool, I could see it going on way past the pandemic finishing. A lot of it is about us as a club reaching out to those living locally who need a bit of support. It’s not always about collecting food or financial problems, often it’s just someone who’s isolating and is having a tough time.
“Even before the pandemic we were looking at projects to help those
who are more elderly, and isolation is such a massive problem. It was already there, but at the moment it’s more widespread among all age groups.
“Some of the aspects of what we’ve been doing this past year will carry on and grow into another branch of what we do as a club. The community scheme is not just about football and coaching, it’s about multiple age groups and different needs and requirements. I can see that getting stronger, so I don’t think it’s going to end as soon as we get the all clear and things go back to normal.”
If you require help or can identify a friend, neighbour or loved one who may require assistance call 01628367875 or email helen@maisdenheadunitedfc.org or sasha@maidenheadunited.org