How a helping hand – at a safe distance – can make a real difference to a neighbour
Small victories and joys abound in these strange times. It’s been amazing to see the huge outpouring of community spirit towards neighbours – and even strangers – that we’re seeing in Hammersmith, Chiswick and Shepherds Bush.
As the coronavirus pandemic struck, flyers began appearing almost overnight with offers to help the vulnerable. While bigger initiatives were launched by our local councils (H&F’s new Community Aid Network is an example – see below for more details), and telephone befriending services were inundated with offers to lend an ear.
At Horton and Garton, we have Monty. He’s a local pal, an octogenarian and a life-long Hammersmith resident.
I’ve known Monty for more than 20 years during my time working in Hammersmith. He’s always lived with no mobile phone or internet access – so many of these new offers of help will have passed him by.
When the official advice for the elderly and vulnerable was issued, my thoughts turned to Monty and whether he would have anyone to fetch him milk and other essentials.
Now, my daily visits to Monty with a chocolate bar and newspaper are just as important to me as they are to him. Our chats – always from a safe distance – are easily incorporated into my grocery run and are a welcome addition to this new routine we’re all adjusting to.
Monty is just one of many within my community who will need support during this time. But there are still plenty of other ways to help out in your local community.
You can donate to your local foodbank (either through dropping off their urgently needed food items at local collection points, or donating money via the Bankuet website), or you can seek out a community group that’s coordinating willing volunteers.
H&F Community Aid Network
One such group, is the H&F Community Aid Network (CAN). More than 1,300 local residents have volunteered already.
Whether it’s boxing up food for vulnerable local residents or delivering medicines, you can volunteer to join the network and safely help your neighbours. The council has already begun shipping out boxes of food via black cabs – with volunteers taking over the previously shuttered Hammersmith Town Hall.
To register your interest and find out more, click here.
Chiswick COVID-19 Mutual Aid
Another group aimed at connecting local volunteers with official organisations that require volunteers during this pandemic is the Chiswick COVID-19 Mutual Aid group.
If you live in Chiswick and would like to help but are unsure how, then join this Facebook group of nearly 1,000 residents and you could be paired with an isolated neighbour or a W4 church in need of volunteers for their night shelter.
If everybody considered their neighbour living with a disability or who is elderly and alone, you might just make a huge difference to them when they need it the most.
If we all work together, there’s a chance that we can come out of this stronger and closer as a community. Monty is counting on us.
If you or someone you know has been struggling during lockdown, Rehab 4 Addiction have created a useful guide to understanding and improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
