Tag: volunteers

Thousands of Scottish volunteers supporting those in need

  • Nearly one-fifth of people in Scotland (16%) say they are volunteering in their communities during the COVID-19 crisis
  • 70% of these volunteers are helping out by doing grocery shopping for others
  • Over half (56%) of people in the region said they plan to buy more goods locally post-lockdown to help their local economy
  • A further 55% also said they plan to make more use of local stores after the lockdown

 

The majority of community volunteers in Scotland are helping other members of their community with essential shopping during the COVID-19 crisis, research from Legal & General and Cebr has revealed.

Seven in 10 (70%) of community volunteers in the region said they were doing grocery shopping for others during the coronavirus outbreak, according the FTSE100 financial services group’s Isolation Economy Report. Nearly one-fifth of people in the country (16%) have been involved in volunteering efforts during the crisis.

Legal & General’s research has also found that people in Scotland also plan to deliver a boost to their local economies, with 56% saying they will buy more goods in local stores and another 55% planning to make more use of local stores after the lockdown.

These new regional figures come as the Isolation Economy research showed that 10 million UK adults are serving as an informal ‘volunteering army’, supporting local communities and helping vulnerable people.

Each week, the work these volunteers are doing has an equivalent economic value of more than £357 million, according to the Isolation Economy research, with each individual contributing on average three hours of their time. 

Nigel Wilson, CEO at Legal & General said: “Being more isolated has made us also more inclusive. Britain’s community spirit has doubled down in lockdown, forging an informal army of volunteers who are now a key part of our national infrastructure in the crisis.”

“Individuals and families have come together and created new ties across communities, cutting across age, income and circumstances.

“We have become a nation of volunteers during the COVID crisis. And – judging by the millions who plan to continue after the lockdown – it is a change that is here to stay.” 

Volunteering in the crisis

According to the Isolation Economy study, one in every five UK adults (19%) has volunteered their time for community-level activities or organisations since the start of the lockdown on March 23rd. This includes nearly a quarter (23%) of furloughed workers.

Royal Voluntary Service has been leading the volunteering efforts in response to the Coronavirus crisis. The charity has been working together with its corporate partner Legal & General, with employees of the FTSE100 company taking part in volunteering efforts including making phone calls to check in on vulnerable individuals.

Sam Ward, Director of Services and Deputy CEO for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “As restrictions ease for some, many older and vulnerable people will remain isolating at home, in desperate need of practical support, mental stimulation and companionship. 

“Royal Voluntary Service has mobilised to respond to Coronavirus through a massive, co-ordinated volunteer effort. The public response has been a beacon of hope during this crisis with legions of people stepping forward to volunteer and help others. Our volunteer army is needed more than ever before to meet the need older people continue to face now, and over the coming months as they try to re-build their lives.”

67% of volunteers are helping with grocery shopping for others and a quarter (26%) have collected and delivered medicines or prescriptions. 16% of those donating their time have volunteered to make calls to people in a bid to combat loneliness. All of this activity is separate to the actions of those people serving in the formal NHS volunteer programme.

Across the generational divide, people are coming together to give up their time and help those in need, according to the Isolation Economy research.

More than a fifth (22%) of those aged between 35 and 54 were volunteering for instance, as are 18% of over-55s. Millennials, while the least likely to volunteer (17%), gave up the most time – an average of 3.5 hours a week on grocery shopping and 4.4 hours if volunteering in other ways.

Almost a third (29%) of UK adults believe that the younger generations have taken on more responsibility during the lockdown to support their parents and grandparents.

This spirit of supporting others is more than a short-term trend. More than three-quarters (78%) of those volunteering plan to continue helping those in need after the lockdown.

Bringing communities together

Community ties have also strengthened under the lockdown. The Isolation Economy research also reveals that two-thirds (64%) of UK adults feel their communities have ‘come together to help each other’ during the crisis.

This renewed community spirit includes extending financial support to local businesses. Families have tried to help those that help them, continuing to pay cleaners, gardeners and other workers for services they knew they would never be able to use under lockdown.

£637 million was spent on unused goods and services between the start of the lockdown on 23rd March and the end of April – a figure that has now risen to more than £1 billion two months into lockdown.

UK adults have spent £170 million on prepaid vouchers and coupons and 60% plan to buy more goods from local stores in a bid to help local economies following the lockdown.

Legal & General is also extending its support for volunteering and charitable work amidst the crisis. The FTSE100 group has substantially raised its cap on matching funding for any activities where its employees are raising funds or donating their time for COVID-19 causes.

The change marks a ten-fold increase in donations from L&G.

Nigel Wilson continued: “Coronavirus has changed our behaviour and our priorities. More of us are giving up our time and savings to support local communities and businesses.

“People are paying for services they knew they would never be able to use due to the lockdown – but which made a difference to people’s lives and finances. These generous, vital gestures make a positive difference to the lives of others in the isolation economy.” 

Legal & General’s Isolation Economy research previously revealed a significant shift in consumer spending habits, giving ‘at-home’ spending a boost equivalent to an £12.9bn annually.

This change is largely a result of UK adults’ increased expenditure on four key “at home” categories during the lockdown: groceries, alcohol, entertainment and hobbies & crafts.

UK Community Network is here to help

A volunteer support group has been set up to help elderly/vulnerable people during the Covid 19 crisis.

UK Community Network is active in all areas of Edinburgh and have been helping people for the past few weeks. We still believe their are people struggling who maybe don’t qualify for other sorts of help and we also believe that as more people go back to work, there will be less volunteers around to help.

We have volunteers who are ready to help with shopping, prescriptions, etc.

Get in touch!

Gorgie Farm spearheads local community support during pandemic

LOVE Gorgie Farm has been spearheading support for communities in Gorgie, Dalry and Stenhouse, coordinating different local organisations to deliver key services.

Participating organisations are working collectively to provide a comprehensive range of services to the community. Acting as a one-stop shop they are sharing a request for support with the right organisation if they can’t deliver it themselves. They are also working together to identify existing gaps in support that need filled.

The first organisations to witness the benefit of this collaboration has been LOVE Gorgie Farm and Big Hearts, who have joined forces to enhance their foodbank provision to the local community.  Big Hearts is a family-focused charity, aiming to improve the lives of people who are at risk of social isolation across communities.

Through this initiative, referrals going to Big Hearts seeking food provisions can automatically be shared with LOVE Gorgie Farm’s food bank, improving the support given to these individuals.

LOVE Gorgie Farm is coordinating this collective initiative since it temporarily closed its doors to the public due to the coronavirus outbreak at the end of March.

In addition to running a foodbank, LOVE Gorgie Farm has been undertaking a volunteer-led initiative to deliver free breakfast every morning to the children of the community amid school closures.

Amber Isaacs, Project Manager at LOVE Gorgie Farm said: “LOVE Gorgie Farm has been at the heart of the local community for years, and in this time of crisis, we felt that it was vital to ensure everyone in the area is being fully supported.

“By linking with other organisations supporting the most vulnerable people in the area, we have been able to not only address any gaps in support provided but have also managed to tear down the barriers that individuals had to face when accessing support.

“The support received from all the members has been exceptional and we are already seeing the positive effects of this collaboration amongst individuals and families of the area.”

Katriona Gillespie, Chair of local arts organisation Gorgie Collective, said: “It is so positive to see local volunteer and charitable organisations pulling together to support our community here in Gorgie-Dalry.

“By signposting help and sharing resources, we can make sure that help gets to everyone who needs it at the right time.”

Organisations taking part in this initiative include LOVE Gorgie Farm, EVOC, Big Hearts, Health All Round, NHS Lothian, Gorgie Collective, Lifelong Learning, The Welcoming Association, and Home Start as well as the local community councils.

People looking to access these support services should contact: 

gorgie@l-o-v-e.org.uk

Caring Communities campaign: Helping Out Safely

People helping those in their communities affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) are being encouraged to carry on while following advice to keep themselves and others safe.

The Scottish Government’s Caring Communities campaign will celebrate the help people are already giving each other, and encourage safe and effective help like keeping in touch, shopping, picking up prescriptions and running errands for those who are unable to.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Together we can help each other through the challenges ahead and our Caring Communities campaign will recognise the efforts of people from across Scotland who are supporting and helping others.

“It’s been inspiring to hear how people have responded to this pandemic by offering help to those around them. Whether that’s been formally volunteering or informally helping out neighbours and friends, we all have a part to play in supporting those around us, however we want to make sure that is done in a safe and effective way.

“There are lots of ways to help whilst minimising or avoiding face-to-face contact, including shopping, picking up prescriptions and medicines, general errands or a daily phone call to stay in touch.

“People can also offer help without the need for direct contact such as using social media to arrange activities and putting people in touch with other services or charities if there is need for further support.

“In rural areas, islands and other remote areas, your nearest neighbour may be some distance away and so you could consider whether help is needed around their home or farm, and make sure people have sufficient food, fuel and access to heating.

“The Scottish Government will continue working with communities across the country to help build cohesion and mutual support during this pandemic.”

National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government Jason Leitch said: “Many people need help and support and some will feel particularly isolated and lonely. If you are able to help alleviate that in your street, neighbourhood, or community, then we are asking you to do so.

“At times of crisis, we need each other more, yet we need to stay physically apart. We can still communicate and offer comfort. Phone or skype loved ones. Text neighbours or drop a note through their door to see if they need help. Maybe even write a letter to your grandparents. We are all in this together.”

Deadline extended to win a brand new team kit

As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, UK branded products and clothing specialist Recognition Express has extended the deadline for U16  Junior and juvenile  football clubs across England and Scotland  to nominate their unsung club heroes.

The prize is a brand- new strip for the whole team next season and the extended deadline for free online entry is now 30 April.

The Recognition Express franchise has local branches across England and Scotland each run by owner operators who play an active part in the communities they serve.

Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express, said: “Our annual Unsung Heroes competition is a fantastic way to recognise those who support junior football clubs.

“In these unprecedented times we appreciate that clubs need all the help they can get, which is why we are extending the deadline for entries.

“Anyone who goes over and above for the club can be nominated; from coaches and caretakers to club secretaries and groundsmen, anyone whose selflessness and commitment allows girls and boys to enjoy football in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.

“With club sponsorship hard to come by in the best of times and with the added financial pressure facing mums and dads at the moment, Recognition Express wants to offer local teams the chance to start next season on a high note with in a brand new strip, in a design of their choosing.

“As specialists in recognition products, promotional items and branded clothing, it makes sense for us to combine donating a new team strip to a local junior football clubs whilst recognising an unsung hero. It gives us the chance to recognise the contribution these unsung heroes make and give something back to the communities our franchisees serve.”

Anyone can nominate a junior football club hero. The competition is open to all under 16’s junior and juvenile football clubs in England and Scotland.

To enter visit https://www.recognition-express.com/nominate-football-hero and complete the simple entry form.

The competition closes on Thursday 30  April 2020 and the winner will be announced from Monday 11 May.

Stand-by vets needed at LOVE Gorgie Farm

LOVE Gorgie Farm is looking for volunteers with vet and animal caring experience who wish to assist the farm team in taking care of the animals to get in touch.

Although the farm is currently operating as a foodbank and it is closed to visitors amid coronavirus outbreak, their team made of three is still working behind closed doors to maintain the site and take care of the animals until the situation goes back to normality.

LOVE Gorgie Farm is now looking to build a contingency plan to secure the welfare of the animals by building a database of volunteers who would be able to step in if a scenario was given where any members of the team fell sick or needed to self-isolate.

LOVE Gorgie Farm, which opened its doors to the public last month, decided to temporarily close earlier this week in order to ensure the safety of its visitors, staff and animals.

It is currently operating as a foodbank for the most vulnerable and delivers free breakfast every morning to the children of the community now that schools are closed.

Lynn Bell, CEO of LOVE Learning, education and social care charity operating LOVE Gorgie Farm said: “The fact that we are closed to the public does not mean that the farm is not operational. We still have our dedicated team working very hard to ensure the welfare of farm.

“To do this, it is vital that we have a contingency plan in case anyone in the team falls sick or needs to self-isolate, so that our animals are well looked after.

“We understand that in this particular moment in time there is an enormous pressure on front line workers, and these of course includes veterinarians.

“Taking this into consideration, we are only asking those that would like to volunteer to register with us and if at any point we need their help we will get in touch with them.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support and generosity we have received from the community during these critical times. It has certainly surpassed all our expectations and we are sure that their invaluable help will continue to amaze us as we work through this crisis.”

Those wanting to get in touch with the farm should contact gorgie@l-o-v-e.org.uk

Coronavirus: Helping each other in Drylaw

Through Spartans and Social Bite, one hundred free packed lunches a day are on offer to people living in Drylaw. This service will start on Monday (30th March) and will be available Monday – Friday every week.
If you know an individual or family who might benefit from this offer please get in touch with  Allan.Hosey@ea.edin.sch.uk 
NB: Please discuss this offer with the individual or family before nominating them.

The packed lunches will be delivered with appropriate social distancing in place.

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of packed lunches available, we will not be able to meet all demands for this service.

This initiative is part of a North Edinburgh-wide effort which has swung into action over the last ten days. Staff and volunteers from a host of community organisations have joined forces to ensure that our area’s most vulnerable people don’t go without essentials during these most difficult of times.

Would you like to play your part and help out? More volunteers would be warmly welcomed – to find out what’s involved contact Allan (email above)

Meeting to discuss community response to Coronavirus pandemic

North Edinburgh activists are to meet tomorrow to formulate a community response to tackling problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting will take place in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre at 2.30pm.

Meeting organiser Willie Black said: “We have already seen communities coming together to do what they can to help their neighbours and our more vulnerable residents, and  the purpose of tomorrow’s meeting is to co-ordinate this community response to make sure no person is being missed or left out.

“By working together and pooling our resources we can better respond to the challenges posed to our community by this pandemic.”

Local voluntary sector organisations, food banks, community centre representatives, council officers, community councils and local elected politicians have all been invited to attended.

What can you do to help? Why not attend the meeting and find out!

 

Volunteers needed for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal

Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families, is urgently calling for volunteers in Edinburgh to give just two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.

Volunteers like Stephanie Wint (above), from Edinburgh, will be supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal – Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign, held every March.

This will be Stephanie’s 29th year volunteering, in that time raising around £20,000 for the charity. Incredibly, Stephanie spends her two-week annual leave collecting and even does it on her two days off!

Stephanie said: “I’ll do it until I drop! I get great satisfaction out of raising money and find that dressing up is a great way to get attention, my mantra is ‘just to look a little funny, raises a lot of money’.”

Heather Campbell, who has been a Healthcare Assistant at the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh for 25 years, will also be out collecting with her two twin grandsons Sonny and Ollie, age 5 (above).

Heather said: “I love doing the Great Daffodil Appeal because it’s your chance to get out and meet people and tell them about the hospice. People don’t realise that we’re very dependent on charity. They think that we’re fully funded by the NHS. It’s always a shock to them, so I always say pop in an extra pound!”

In the next 10 years, more than half a million people will die in Scotland and of this number at least 75% will need end of life care.

The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh provide much-needed expert care to people with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones.

Marie Curie is hoping to raise £700,000 in Scotland this Great Daffodil Appeal.

Last year donations helped Marie Curie provide care to over 7,500 people living with terminal illness across Scotland. Marie Curie support isn’t just for people with cancer, other terminal conditions include heart and circulatory, Alzheimer’s (including dementia) and chronic respiratory disease.

Fiona Bushby Marie Curie Community Fundraiser said: “Whether you wear a daffodil pin in celebration, in solidarity or in memory of a loved one, you are joining with millions of others to help make sure all dying people get the care and support they deserve.

“Volunteering just two hours at a local collection is a great way to show your support to your local Marie Curie hospice and help us raise money to help make sure that we can be there for more people at the end of their lives.

“Collecting can be a lot of fun too.  You can do it on your own or with family and friends, and we will support you every step of the way. Volunteering is also an easy way to get involved in your local community and meet new people.”

To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity’s daffodil pins in return for donations, visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or call free on 0800 304 7025.