Tips from Newham-Based Volunteer Cornwall on How you Can Help Others During the Pandemic

Thursday 16th April, 2020

Andy Brelsford, Support and Development Manager at Volunteer Cornwall, has also suggested other ways to help the community during the pandemic if you are well and able to –

Food Banks

We have heard from Foodbanks that they are in need of volunteers as many of their own are older people who are now having to self-isolate. So if you can, contact your local food bank and see what you can do to help?

Phone Befrienders

We are setting up a telephone befriending scheme which is a great thing you can do if you are self-isolating at home – and over 70s can do it too. If you are a good listener and enjoy chatting to other people, pop an email to mid@volunteercornwall.org.uk  to let us know that you would like to offer this type of support – please put Telephone Befriender in the header so that we can pick up your email quickly.   We especially want to hear from you if you have any previous experience of counselling or coaching as we are also setting up a phone-based support service for front-line workers.

Carers

An important shout out to anyone with experience of giving care. As the weeks progress, we will need a supply of volunteers to help keep the care system running as the workforce will be susceptible to the virus. If you are happy to help out by providing care to older and vulnerable people – perhaps in their homes or in a nursing / residential home, please get in touch. NB – depending on the duties you are willing and able to undertake, this could be a paid role for the duration of the crisis.