With many older and more vulnerable people in our community self-isolating due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, lots of people have been stepping forward wanting to help, demonstrating the community spirit in Redcar & Cleveland. We have put together some tips for the best ways you can offer your support.
You can donate your time
Be a good neighbour
- Connect and reach out to your immediate neighbours
- Swap phone numbers – a conversation may be a lifeline and will help people feel less lonely
- If there is a neighbourhood social media page you could help them connect with this
- Encourage others on your street to help
- Help your neighbour put together a contact list of useful numbers e.g. their personal emergency contacts, local advice lines, etc.
- Practical support such as picking up prescriptions, helping them with online shopping, walking their dog, etc.
Advice and Guidance
- Don’t enter people’s houses – stay on the doorstep and keep 2 metres apart!
- Be kind and courteous
- Respect everyone’s privacy, helping vulnerable people requires mutual trust e.g. don’t share any private information
- Follow infection control advice and social distancing – with coronavirus (COVID19) the situation is fast evolving so follow the latest advice from trusted sources e.g. Public Health England http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england)
- If you feel unwell with symptoms of coronavirus you should self-isolate. Guidance on this is available on the NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid19/ · Visit our website: www.rcvda.org.uk for regular updates
- Carry a mobile phone and let someone know where you are going
Emergency response volunteering
We are working in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to identify volunteers and resources to support the community.
If you would like to be part of Redcar & Cleveland’s Emergency Response Team, please follow this link to register.
We are asking everybody – organisations, individuals, businesses and groups – to let us know what support is available. Your offers will then be paired with others who are requesting help.
There are many things which you could help with during this time, including everything from deciding to do your bit for the neighbours you already know on your street, right through to using relevant skills, training and qualifications which you already have to bolster the social care system and help the most vulnerable.
You can donate goods
If you have excess items e.g. tinned foods, toiletries, toilet rolls, etc., you can donate to your local foodbank.
Please do not bulk purchase even if you intend to donate the goods.
You can drop off donations as follows but please call first to check opening hours:
- Footprints in the Community, 10 Queen Street, Redcar, TS10 1DY 01642 484842.
- Guisborough Bridge Association, 58a Westgate, Guisborough, TS14 6AY 01287 638771 mobile 07890 228851
- T.E.E.S. Tonia Nixon, 07366 985160
- The Chris Cave Foundation email ccf_p7@outlook.com