We recruited volunteers who were already background-checked,
either by the church or through their jobs as teachers, health
professionals, police officers etc, since it was vitally important to
ensure those we helped (and our volunteers) were safe. We also carefully
planned our procedures to maintain social distancing and adhere to
government instructions as they evolved.
Our volunteers are
amazing! Because they are not in the more vulnerable groups many have
continued working full-time, home-schooling their children and shopping
for their vulnerable parents, and so it was important they were not
asked to go more than once a week for others. They were paired with
those in need who lived close by, but each volunteer managed to shop for
at least 2 others in that weekly trip.
Proudfoot’s Newby staff
have been so helpful (and patient), allowing us to put several baskets
of shopping through their till, each with separate money in order to
help. As time went on and demand grew we became immensely thankful for
the local businesses who changed their working model to help, by
delivering and taking phone orders. Thanks to tip-offs from our church
family and friends who constantly kept an eye on social media and local
news, I was able to compile a list of these businesses to pass on to
those in need.
95% of those I have spoken to, or arranged
shopping, prescriptions or regular phone calls for, have never been to
our church and that’s wonderful. It means we’re helping to break down
barriers between our church and our community and meet people we may not
have done otherwise.
It’s really hard for those without family
nearby and with no internet. Their only company is TV, which gives the
bleakest news. Without being able to see the outside world, some people
just needed to know the emergency services were still there and that
there were many good news stories of those recovering, brilliant
fundraising and inspiring stories we see or hear when we’re connected to
others.
After the first few weeks I began to hear wonderful
stories of neighbours getting to know each other. One lady had gone to
her door to clap for the NHS and had spoken (at distance) to her
neighbour – usually out at work all day – for the first time. The
neighbour had then offered to shop for her which was a beautiful yet
unexpected outcome to the NHS support.
I have received calls from
approximately 180 people from all over our area – as far away as
Gristhorpe (with relatives as far away as Liverpool and Southampton). I
even had a call asking for help to get a relative back from Russia -
until the caller realised she’d mixed up the phone numbers and I was the
person she needed to get her prescription. It brought much needed
laughter and we’ve stayed in touch after her husband returned safely,
leading to an offer to support others on the phone since then. It’s a
tiny number of the millions in isolation but looking at those first
government figures as to how minimising contact for each person can
dramatically reduce spread, we feel we are making a worthwhile
difference.
I’m so extremely grateful for the prayers and
encouragement of all or church community and also to Kathy, Chris, Emma,
Claire, Trevor, Caroline and Mike for helping me with the deliveries,
to Gordon, Marion and Sue for offering friendship through phone calls
and Lesley for helping me to learn to use social media to keep in touch
and up to date with developments. To all those who have offered to help –
thank you so much and I may yet be in touch as you are needed!
The people we are helping are so grateful - we’ve met some amazing people.
I’m
very blessed to be employed by St Laurence’s Church, all thanks to the
generosity of church members, many of whom are elderly (and therefore
don’t benefit directly from my usual work) but who cherish and value
youth work and our younger families, so it’s an added bonus for me that I
have got to know so many of them through this tragic situation of
Covid-19.
I would also like to thank Abi - one of our congregation
and Sunday Supper member - and my own three children who have used
their time in isolation to create online videos to reassure and
encourage our younger members throughout the pandemic. It’s been
important not to overlook their about anxieties being taken from school
and witnessing the worry around them. Having an opportunity for the
older children to play a part is something I hope to build on when we
can get back into our lovely church buildings again.
stlaurencescalby.org.uk
