Pandemic’s silver lining as residents come together to help

THE coronavirus pandemic has seen many examples already of the best of humanity in terms of helping other people.

Whether it be supportive messages, clapping for our carers or helping people in isolation with their shopping the Covid-19 outbreak has revealed the fundamental good nature of the human spirit.

One place where this is particularly evident is in Pontypridd where, shortly after a mammoth effort to help people devastated by the recent flooding, volunteers are on a mission again to help people get through this pandemic.

Pontypridd covid-19 community support groups are working together via social media and reaching out to residents with leaflet drops to see how they can help.

The team is made up of residents, local councillors and organisations and is supported by local charity Interlink and there are local groups for different parts of the wider Pontypridd area.

The groups communicate with and work alongside the council to support residents who do not fit into the authority’s vulnerable category for help but may still need practical help with isolation such as essential shopping, collecting prescriptions or finding the services they need.

Local support groups are recruiting and deploying checked volunteers to residents requesting help and Interlink is providing volunteers with fast-track DBS checking where necessary as one of the ways to keep residents safe.

Volunteers have been dropping leaflets to residents, helping with shopping or prescriptions and connecting people with “telephone buddies”.

Volunteers adhere to strict rules on social distancing and health and safety procedures and shopping is normally paid for with contactless payment and volunteers don’t enter people’s homes or ask for large sums of money in advance.

Founding member of the Pontypridd support groups Louise Karabulut said: “The groups have been set up in the interest of community spirit in such a challenging time, and have drawn on the strength, resilience and kindness of the Pontypridd community.”

Local resident Katie Hadley is part of the Cilfynydd group and was involved in the flood relief efforts as well.

She said “Something positive to come out of the floods which hit us in February was that key relationships and links between community leaders across Pontypridd were established which gave us a great foundation to form this network efficiently.

“We are very aware that for many local residents they didn’t have the time to recover from the flooding and have been thrust into another crisis, some self-isolating now in homes with no proper kitchen facilities- so the need for community support is essential.”

Gav Richards who is part of the Graig group said: “The support and feedback we’ve received has been fantastic and at times like this that level of support gives us more drive and determination to continue with what we’re doing.”

Residents can request help from their local team by either joining the group on Facebook called “Pontypridd Coronavirus Covid19

Community Support Group” and following the links to local groups or if they are not online they will get a leaflet, a phone call or can get in touch with their local councillor for more information.

Volunteers can sign up with their local groups where they will be supported through the registration process.

Cathy Lisles from the Hawthorn group said: “This national emergency has meant that we have had to rapidly change the ways we communicate with each other and get organised.

“We have had the odd teething trouble, but, thanks to help from tech guru Jamie McCallion, we have been successfully using Webex to run regular meetings so that all the group admins from across the Taff area can share knowledge and experiences.”