Wandsworth has a strong sense of community, and it is no surprise that local groups and residents across the borough are offering their support in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Please read this page to find out how you can support your neighbours and the community.
If you want to help
If you are an individual, business or organisation that is interested in helping, we would encourage you to complete our online form.
This will allow the Council and its voluntary partners to work together to effectively mobilise individuals who are able to help and match them to suitable volunteering tasks. By registering through our online form, your details will be passed to other relevant voluntary groups helping with the coronavirus response.
By completing our online form, you will be partnered with key groups, including Age UK Wandsworth, who will allocate you to volunteering tasks. These may include:
- Shopping for food/supplies
- Delivering food/supplies to vulnerable residents
- Picking-up and delivering prescriptions
- Having a friendly phone conversation with those at risk of loneliness when in isolation
- Walking dogs for those self-isolating
- Supporting with critical transport needs
- Helping with digital skills coaching
Other ways of helping include:
- Donating to food banks
- Donating money to registered charities who are supporting the vulnerable and isolated
- Responsible social-distancing and self-isolation
- Avoiding panic buying groceries and leaving those who are vulnerable without basic items
- Avoiding booking delivery slots with supermarkets. Please leave them free for those who are housebound and really need them
If you are volunteering to help someone, please take the below steps to make sure you do not contribute to the spread of coronavirus. These include:
- If you feel at all unwell, do not volunteer to help others who are self-isolating
- Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap, especially before and after you deliver any items to a person in isolation
- If you make a delivery, stay 2 meters away from the person who is in isolation at all times. Place the items outside their door and then step away
- Be careful about how you share personal information about yourself and other people. Avoid sharing your or a vulnerable person's address and other contact information in public groups or documents
- Try to support people who live close to you, so you don't travel larger distances
- Follow public health guidance on self-isolating yourself and your family
If you are an existing voluntary or community group in the borough, or you are considering forming one in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the Voluntary Sector Coordination Service (part of Wandsworth Care Alliance) to make sure you have the right processes in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those residents who are most vulnerable during this time.
To contact them email [email protected]
You can read the original article from Wandsworth Council here: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/coro…;
