Firstly a huge thank you to all of you who have offered to help with the Coordinated Community Response to Coronavirus. Lewisham Local now have over one thousand volunteers registered from Lewisham! It is a tribute to the amazing culture of community and giving in Lewisham that so many of you want to put time into helping out one another.
They have initially prioritised those with DBS checks and you will already have been contacted by Voluntary Services Lewisham around telephone befriending or purchasing and delivering food. The need is gradually increasing so they will keep in touch as need for volunteers increases day by day.
There are also a range of opportunities to make a difference while observing the new stay at home guidelines, because we must prioritise our health and take every measure to ensure we flatten the curve of infection rate. We encourage you to check up on those close to you, providing social contact to those who may be lonely and asking whether they have understood the announcement . If you are aware of isolated people who need support please encourage them to fill in this form or fill it in for them.
Fareshare are currently looking for volunteer drivers and warehouse assistants to get food to the most vulnerable during this crisis. Application forms are available on their website: https://fareshare.org.uk/volunteer/outbreak/
The NHS have always relied partly on volunteers for the healthcare services they provide and are now seeking volunteers to support them during the Coronavirus pandemic. Sign up to the NHS to volunteer, they are looking for people for delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to appointments, bringing them home from hospital and making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.
Donate to your local food bank: Lewisham Food Bank
Hope Centre, 118 Malham Road, Forest Hill SE23 1AN or their regular drop-off points. They need: Washing tablets or capsules, tinned meat, toilet roll, deodorant for men and women, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, rice pudding, shower gel, washing up liquid, coffee, UHT milk, razors, pasta sauce and nappies.
You can donate to the Lewisham Community Response to Covid-19, the funds raised will go to local food banks and voluntary sector organisations to help those in most need in our community. Donate at: https://localgiving.org/appeal/lewisham-covid-19/
Sydenham Arts are running a series of challenges to be shared online to keep those us creatively engaged while living lives largely confined to the indoors. Information on their various challenges is below and your work can be shared with them on Facebook @SydenhamArts, on Twitter @SydArts_ and on Instagram @sydenhamartsofficial.
Lewisham Carers Information provide advice and support for unpaid carers in Lewisham. You can refer somebody you know might be struggling with the increased burden of being a carer in the time of Coronavirus by putting them in touch with one of the four volunteers detailed below.
- For Evelyn, New Cross, Telegraph Hill and Brockley contact Cathy on 07391405580.
- For Blackheath, Ladywell, Lewisham Central and Lee Green contact Ulalee on 07391405579
- For Rushey Green, Catford South, Grove Park, Downham and Whitefoot contact Elizabeth on 07389100984
- For Bellingham, Sydenham, Perryvale, Forest Hill and Crofton Park contact Paul on 07387100983
Rushey Green Time Bank is looking for some creative content to send to their members who are in self-isolation. They are looking for creative activities and resources that they can collate for their bulletins and possible digital resilience packs. Could you help? This could be a poem, craft activity template, writing and word games, sharing an inspirational quote, useful online resources, or whatever you think would be nice to receive digitally to know you are no alone during this challenging time. Please send publish-ready content to: info@rgtb.org.uk