Scotland's communities respond to help those most in need
Networks of volunteers are springing up to bolster Scots communities in an unprecedented effort by civil society to tackle isolation stemming from the coronavirus.
In a bold illustration of the value of the country’s voluntary sector, grassroots groups are being established across the country, supported by social media, to help the vulnerable and the elderly as well as to help maintain decorum as the country heads towards lockdown.
From health and wellbeing initiatives to community groups providing advice and information on workers’ rights, community efforts are ramping up as increasingly strict measures are enforced in a bid to suppress the virus.
A group in Paisley, Renfrewshire, aided by local welfare advice organisations, is appealing to workers to come forward who have been denied their right to safe working practices during the outbreak. Ken Stuart, a former Rolls Royce shop steward said while most workplaces were being responsible many were not.
“Health is the number one priority and those who are being exposed to unnecessary risk in these unprecedented times should be exposed. We’ve set up a page on Facebook for workers to anonymously contact us with their concerns.”
A network of volunteer medics is giving advice online in Highland to help assuage any fears people have of being infected by the coronavirus which has so far claimed the lives of dozens of people and infected thousands more.
In Fife a Facebook page has seen dozens of people volunteer to deliver shopping to socially isolated older people while in Glasgow a carers group has been set up on Twitter to ensure those caring for loved ones have got extra support should they need it.
The Newmains Community Trust (NCT) centre in North Lanarkshire is asking for donations of non-perishable items to create care packages which can be delivered to vulnerable people in the local community.
We see around us communities acting together - Anna Fowlie
Manager Jane Wood said: “With us being a community centre, we’ve got quite a lot of vulnerable people who are in and out of the centre regularly and we know that as time goes on, more and more of them will be staying at home more.
“So we’ve decided to ask for donations from the local community so that we can put together care packages. People can then get in touch if they need one, or if they know of someone who needs one, and we will either deliver it or arrange for collection at the centre.
“If we have any donations left over, then we’re in touch with a local foodbank and will pass items on to them. We just really want to help out anyone in need in our local community.”
Even a dog walking business in Renfrewshire has offered to walk dogs for elderly people who are unable to get out.
Michael McGinty, who runs Dargavel Dog Walking in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, said: “I know how difficult it can be for some people with dogs to get out and it is only going to get worse. Dogs still need to be walked and socialise and this is one way I can help. I hope more small business owners think about how they can help. Even if they are just helping one elderly person then it is worth it. These are unusual circumstances but I know people in our village will pull together."
A cycling social enterprise in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, has generously given its services for free to NHS and social care staff. They can get free bike hire to help them avoid public transport.
Socialtrack will give a free bike to those showing their NHS ID badges. Dan Scott, Socialtrack director, said: “We wanted to do something to help. If people get in touch via email, we’ll deliver a bike to them so that it minimises the risk of infection. All the bikes will be cleaned on delivery.”
Glasgow University students have even created a virtual kindness campaign where they will pick up shopping, post mail, urgent supplies or even give people a friendly phone call.
The uni's Students' Representative Council (SRC) volunteer team has developed a postcard which students can print off and post to people around them in the city.
Anna Fowlie, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), praised the positive way community groups were responding to the crisis.
She said: “The situation we find ourselves in is unprecedented and ever-changing,” she said. “It’s hard to find positives. But what we can see around us is people and communities acting together to support each other and find solutions.
“The voluntary sector was born out of individual and community commitment to make things better – to overcome challenges in innovative ways. We can feel that spirit now and feel proud of it.
"At SCVO we are doing everything we can to support the sector to work together and the contacts I’ve had from people across the country wanting to do whatever they can in a consistent and thoughtful way have been so impressive.
“The voluntary sector can’t do this alone – we need support from governments, funders and the public to act collectively for the people of Scotland.”
