How is your community pulling together to support one another?

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• Share Wonderful Waverton on Facebook Share Wonderful Waverton on Twitter Share Wonderful Waverton on Linkedin Email Wonderful Waverton link

  Wonderful Waverton

  about 6 years ago

  At the very start of the concerns, Waverton resident immediately started thinking of other and how to help the best. Through the powers of facebook we created a group called 'Waverton Action Plan' following on from the goodwill and good work of Malpas Action Plan.

  Hundreds of volunteers offered up support, and with kind links to the churches in the village a 24 hour helpline was established - run by a group of Waverton Evangelical Fellowship members. We combined this helpline and the basic offer of a neighbour volunteer contact number and quickly went to getting this message to all... Continue reading

  At the very start of the concerns, Waverton resident immediately started thinking of other and how to help the best. Through the powers of facebook we created a group called 'Waverton Action Plan' following on from the goodwill and good work of Malpas Action Plan.

  Hundreds of volunteers offered up support, and with kind links to the churches in the village a 24 hour helpline was established - run by a group of Waverton Evangelical Fellowship members. We combined this helpline and the basic offer of a neighbour volunteer contact number and quickly went to getting this message to all the homes in the village. All the local volunteers were allocated into teams for their road and divided the responsibilities of support. Thus linking everyone into the bigger network, so if a sudden need arises for shopping, medicine etc. There are over 200 offers of help!

  To date, it's working well, what has happened is that neighbours are looking out for neighbours, and community spirit is phenomenal
• Share Boughton Buddies on Facebook Share Boughton Buddies on Twitter Share Boughton Buddies on Linkedin Email Boughton Buddies link

  Boughton Buddies

  by James, about 6 years ago

  Just before the whole lockdown started a family a few doors up from me dropped a note through the doors of everyone on the street asking us to text to join a whatsapp group being set up so that we can all help each other out if need be.

  A few people have asked for, and have offered, help with picking up shopping and prescriptions but there has also been people clearing their garages and offering firewood, excess strawberry plants and the like. I've picked up some shopping for a neighbour who's staying at home and she's given us the... Continue reading

  Just before the whole lockdown started a family a few doors up from me dropped a note through the doors of everyone on the street asking us to text to join a whatsapp group being set up so that we can all help each other out if need be.

  A few people have asked for, and have offered, help with picking up shopping and prescriptions but there has also been people clearing their garages and offering firewood, excess strawberry plants and the like. I've picked up some shopping for a neighbour who's staying at home and she's given us the odd bit from her veg box that she wasn't going to eat. The nice thing is that it feels like everybody is helping everyone else and it's really made me feel more a part of the street (and given how bad I am with names it's been really usefully having people posting with their names and house numbers!)
• Share Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme on Facebook Share Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme on Twitter Share Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme on Linkedin Email Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme link

  Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme sprang up from an existing Facebook group. Lee, the group admin, realised the support that people would need while self-isolating and that not everyone has local family, friends or neighbours who are able to help. He worked with local people and councillors to set up a volunteer line that local people can call to be put in touch with DBS checked volunteers who can help with food, shopping and medication deliveries.

  
  

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  Key message

  The biggest issue is safeguarding and making sure that everyone is kept safe. It is very sad to hear how... Continue reading

  Winnington and Castle good neighbour volunteer scheme sprang up from an existing Facebook group. Lee, the group admin, realised the support that people would need while self-isolating and that not everyone has local family, friends or neighbours who are able to help. He worked with local people and councillors to set up a volunteer line that local people can call to be put in touch with DBS checked volunteers who can help with food, shopping and medication deliveries.

  
  

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  Key message

  The biggest issue is safeguarding and making sure that everyone is kept safe. It is very sad to hear how quickly scams and confidence tricks around COVID-19 and isolation issues have risen.
• Share Headbands for NHS workers on Facebook Share Headbands for NHS workers on Twitter Share Headbands for NHS workers on Linkedin Email Headbands for NHS workers link

  Headbands for NHS workers

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago
  

  Natasha has been making and donating headbands to NHS workers which allow them to hook facemasks to the headband rather than their own, increasingly sore, ears.

  Currently at home in Overpool, rather than at university studying to be a vet, Natasha saw the design online and got to work with her sewing kit.

  She offered them out on the Pride in the Port Facebook group - a local care home was first in the queue but kindly agreed to give priority to Ellesmere Port Hospital. Natasha is now working on a second batch for the care home.

  
  

  
  

  Natasha has been making and donating headbands to NHS workers which allow them to hook facemasks to the headband rather than their own, increasingly sore, ears.

  Currently at home in Overpool, rather than at university studying to be a vet, Natasha saw the design online and got to work with her sewing kit.

  She offered them out on the Pride in the Port Facebook group - a local care home was first in the queue but kindly agreed to give priority to Ellesmere Port Hospital. Natasha is now working on a second batch for the care home.

  
  

  
  
• Share Hoole WhatsApp group on Facebook Share Hoole WhatsApp group on Twitter Share Hoole WhatsApp group on Linkedin Email Hoole WhatsApp group link

  Hoole WhatsApp group

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  Andy and Sue live on a small street of eleven houses. Before the lockdown took effect, they decided to invite all their neighbours to join a WhatsApp group so that they could offer support to each other if need be.

  Aware that one neighbour did not use a mobile phone, Andy got in touch with her daughter to make sure that she was aware of the help on offer. But unfortunately it was Andy and Sue themselves who came down with the symptoms of COVID-19 first, but neighbours have helped them with shopping during the 14 days they have been... Continue reading

  Andy and Sue live on a small street of eleven houses. Before the lockdown took effect, they decided to invite all their neighbours to join a WhatsApp group so that they could offer support to each other if need be.

  Aware that one neighbour did not use a mobile phone, Andy got in touch with her daughter to make sure that she was aware of the help on offer. But unfortunately it was Andy and Sue themselves who came down with the symptoms of COVID-19 first, but neighbours have helped them with shopping during the 14 days they have been self-isolating.

  Both being on the leadership team of a local church, Andy and Sue have kept their routine going by live streaming church services and using Facebook Live for daily prayer sessions.

  
  

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  Key tip
  WhatsApp is great, but you might need to consider turning off your notifications and instead choosing when you want to catch up with people. You also need to consider those who might not have access to it!

  2 comments
• Share One Chester Plan Facebook group on Facebook Share One Chester Plan Facebook group on Twitter Share One Chester Plan Facebook group on Linkedin Email One Chester Plan Facebook group link

  One Chester Plan Facebook group

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  The One Chester Plan Facebook group was set up by Izzy Grey as way of bringing people together. It's really taken off and already has almost 7,000 members.

  • One Chester Plan group

  With popular topics currently around; body and mind; offers of help; open for business; and entertaining children/home-school it's a really useful place for people to get together (virtually) to share videos and pictures, ask and respond to each others questions.

  You can even get tips on which shops currently have toilet paper.

  
  

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  Key tip
  If you want to bring people together and provide a focal point you also... Continue reading

  The One Chester Plan Facebook group was set up by Izzy Grey as way of bringing people together. It's really taken off and already has almost 7,000 members.

  • One Chester Plan group

  With popular topics currently around; body and mind; offers of help; open for business; and entertaining children/home-school it's a really useful place for people to get together (virtually) to share videos and pictures, ask and respond to each others questions.

  You can even get tips on which shops currently have toilet paper.

  
  

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  Key tip
  If you want to bring people together and provide a focal point you also need to register as a volunteer with the Council and then keep up to date with the messages that get sent out. We all need to be working to the same plan.
• Share #PayItForward Campaign on Facebook Share #PayItForward Campaign on Twitter Share #PayItForward Campaign on Linkedin Email #PayItForward Campaign link

  #PayItForward Campaign

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  Izzy Grey saw the fact that she was furloughed, as a result of the Coronavirus, as an opportunity to really make a difference locally. She set up the #PayItForwardCampaign to give local businesses a platform on which to sell vouchers that can help with cashflow now but that purchasers can redeem at a later date. With 21 businesses already offering vouchers through the campaign, many are also offering incentives for people to buy the vouchers. The full list of what is on offer is being regularly updated and is available at:

  • Pay It Forward - Chester

  “Food & Drink is... Continue reading

  Izzy Grey saw the fact that she was furloughed, as a result of the Coronavirus, as an opportunity to really make a difference locally. She set up the #PayItForwardCampaign to give local businesses a platform on which to sell vouchers that can help with cashflow now but that purchasers can redeem at a later date. With 21 businesses already offering vouchers through the campaign, many are also offering incentives for people to buy the vouchers. The full list of what is on offer is being regularly updated and is available at:

  • Pay It Forward - Chester

  “Food & Drink is such a huge part of our lives – and we need to do all we can to pull every single business through – so please help us spread the word and support the campaign by buying Pay It Forward vouchers from your favourite venues. They are depending on us”

  Izzy
• Share Huntington Volunteer Network on Facebook Share Huntington Volunteer Network on Twitter Share Huntington Volunteer Network on Linkedin Email Huntington Volunteer Network link

  Huntington Volunteer Network

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  Huntington Parish Council is working with St. Luke's church and Huntington Primary School Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) to maintain a network of volunteers to make sure that local people are being supported to shield themselves and self-isolate.

  Staff are trying to match volunteers and people seeking help who live as close to each other as possible. In one case someone phoned up to volunteer and was told that their next door neighbour had phoned to ask for support.

  One elderly lady said: "We cannot thank you enough for setting up this network. I hope that I won't need help... Continue reading

  Huntington Parish Council is working with St. Luke's church and Huntington Primary School Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) to maintain a network of volunteers to make sure that local people are being supported to shield themselves and self-isolate.

  Staff are trying to match volunteers and people seeking help who live as close to each other as possible. In one case someone phoned up to volunteer and was told that their next door neighbour had phoned to ask for support.

  One elderly lady said: "We cannot thank you enough for setting up this network. I hope that I won't need help but I have finally been able to sleep at night for the first time since this started, knowing there is help for me if I do need it."

  
  

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  Key tip

  If you're asking someone else to your shopping or you are buying shopping for someone, make sure that the list is as clear as possible. For example, milk might mean skimmed to one person and whole milk to another. You may not be able to find everything you're looking for, but at least look for the right things!
• Share Good neighbours on Facebook Share Good neighbours on Twitter Share Good neighbours on Linkedin Email Good neighbours link

  Good neighbours

  by Comms@CW&C, about 6 years ago

  Picking up shopping or medicines for neighbours can make a huge difference. One resident of a street in Boughton realised that social distancing was likely to happen sooner rather than later and set up a WhatsApp group for those who wanted to be able to ask for, and offer help.

  Within a week, Jane and Ian decided that they needed to self-isolate after Jane began to feel ill and developed a cough and a friend that Ian had recently been out with tested positive for COVID-19. After asking for help on WhatsApp three different neighbours stepped in to help, offering... Continue reading

  Picking up shopping or medicines for neighbours can make a huge difference. One resident of a street in Boughton realised that social distancing was likely to happen sooner rather than later and set up a WhatsApp group for those who wanted to be able to ask for, and offer help.

  Within a week, Jane and Ian decided that they needed to self-isolate after Jane began to feel ill and developed a cough and a friend that Ian had recently been out with tested positive for COVID-19. After asking for help on WhatsApp three different neighbours stepped in to help, offering to pick up shopping, prescriptions and even leaving some cucumber on the doorstep for Twitchy the Guinea Pig.

  "I have really appreciated having such lovely neighbours these last few weeks."
  Jane

  
  

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  Key tip

  If you set up a contact group, only use it for what it was set up for. The more it is used for other things the more likely people are to remove themselves from it, meaning it will be harder for them to ask for help if they need it and one less person to hear other peoples' requests for help.