TEAMS of volunteers are in place across East Lothian doing everything they can to help vulnerable members of their communities.
From collecting shopping and vital prescriptions to dog walking and simply being there for people, the volunteers are there for residents throughout the coronavirus crisis.
Here, we look at five of the groups who are giving up their own time to help out.
Elphinstone
DOG walking, collecting prescriptions, shopping and much more are on offer from generous volunteers in Elphinstone.
A spokeswoman for the community highlighted a number of services were on offer to people during the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “This care has included help with dog walking, collecting prescriptions, shopping, daily delivery of meals and food, a friendly chat over the phone or at a distance from the garden gate.
“A number of community partners have rallied to ensure that everyone is cared for during this Covid-19 pandemic.
“This has only been possible with the operational support of East Lothian Roots and Fruits, Elphinstone Community Association, Elphinstone Primary School, East Lothian Council, Councillor Colin McGinn, Pennypit Community Trust, East Lothian Foodbank, Home-Start East Lothian, Walk With Scott Foundation, Heavy Sound, Social Bite, Tesco, Fair Share, Hibernian Community Foundation and generous donations from McInroy & Wood [Haddington].
“This important work has greatly strengthened relationships and working practices that will continue to grow and develop long after we overcome this devastating pandemic.
“Collectively, this network has shown incredible reach, capacity, experience and skills as they endeavour to meet the needs of everyone in need of support.”
Contact details
Any residents of Elphinstone who would like to request support can contact the team through email – colinmcginn@hotmail.com – or 07591 348676.
Gifford
HEARING aid batteries have become the latest item keeping volunteers in Gifford’s community resilience team busy with calls for help renewing them.
The resilience team has access to replacement batteries through the East Lothian Council community hubs so anyone in need should get in touch.
Meanwhile, the team have also spoken about the “privilege” they feel getting to know the stories of so many of their local residents.
The group’s spokesperson said: “We have been getting to know so many of our residents through talking with them and hearing about their lives; we have one man who cooked for royalty and so many others with extraordinary tales to share.
“It is a real privilege to get to know them.”
Contact details
Anyone needing help can contact: Jo Allen, GCC chair, on 01620 811019 or ChairGiffordCC@gmail.com; Adam White, GCC vice chair, on 01620 810298 or adamjswhite@outlook.com; Wendy Ferguson, GCC treasurer, on 01620 811069 or wendyferguson.wf@gmail.com; Aniko Schuetz Bradwell, minister, on 01620 811193 or aschuetzbradwell@churchofscotland.org.uk
Haddington
AN INCREASING number of people are getting in touch with community resilience volunteers in Haddington.
The town’s community council has been at the heart of setting up a squad of volunteers to help people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chris McEwan, vice-chairman of the community council, stressed they would do whatever they could to help those who needed assistance.
He said: “We have managed in the past few weeks to get our contact details out there a lot better.
“People are phoning and contacting us, and our volunteers are basically now really getting themselves into a nice routine.
“They have got quite a few people that they are looking after week on week.”
Services being offered through the resilience volunteers are also increasing.
Collections of shopping and prescriptions have been available for a number of weeks.
Now, a dog walking service and getting tradesmen out to solve issues in the home have also been introduced.
Mr McEwan took the time to once again praise the efforts of the volunteers.
He said: “I must say, the town has really, really done well and I have to thank all my volunteers and the people I don’t know about who are helping as well.
“We have had people who have had maintenance issues and we have managed to get some tradesmen out to them.
“Tradesmen are offering to help, some doing it for revenue but a couple doing it for nothing; people are helping for nothing.”
Mr McEwan also highlighted that there was a wide range of information on the group’s website, with sections set up to alert people to community help and coronavirus.
On top of that, there is a section for food deliveries, ranging from butchers and bakers to prepared meals and takeaways which are open in the town.
The community council plans to keep the list as up to date as possible for people.
Contact details
Anyone looking to find out more can visit www.haddingtoncc.org.uk while anyone looking for assistance can e-mail resilienthcc@haddingtoncc.org.uk or call 07592 003386.
Longniddry
ONE resident in Longniddry has started offering a free dog walking service for those unable to take their four-legged friend on its daily stroll.
Those interested should contact Danni Anderson on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the village’s resilience effort is still helping those in need and answering queries from residents.
It is being led by the local church and supported by Longniddry Community Council.
Sheila Jamieson told the Courier that people in the village have been helping family and neighbours on their own accord, so enquiries to her are still fairly low.
However, she has still received some enquiries, such as people asking how they can get hearing aid batteries, food parcels and online food deliveries.
She currently has 80 volunteers ready to help her deliver the resilience effort should the need arise.
Sheila said: “As long as people are getting the help they need – we are still here and doing what we can.
“I’m overwhelmed and so grateful for the volunteers and the nice community.
“All of the people in the community are coming together. We are coping at the moment and getting calls from the council with other people who might also need help.”
As with other resilience groups, it is helping with delivering prescriptions – but the local pharmacy offers a delivery service to those over the age of 70.
Contact details
Those who need any help or assistance can call Sheila Jamieson on 07927 400437.
Tranent
VOLUNTEERS covering Tranent and Elphinstone delivered leaflets to every house in the area, with help from Ross High Rugby Club, reminding people of the help they can receive from their local resilience group.
The number of people signed up to volunteer in the area has now risen to 150, as the number of calls the group receives also continues to rise.
The resilience effort in Tranent and Elphinstone is being led by the local community council and overseen by member Mike Falconer.
People are continuing to help out with requests such as collecting shopping, picking up prescriptions, and walking dogs.
The resilience group is also helping Fundamental Foods and the Pennypit Trust with food deliveries, as well as assisting with its school hub effort.
Contact details
Updates are also posted on the resilience Facebook page, ‘Tranent Emergency Response – Coronavirus’.
Updates, information and advice are also shared on Radio Saltire as part of its community information feature.
Anyone needing assistance can call 07483 453878 or email tranentemergencyresponse@gmail.com
IF YOUR resilience group would like to purchase copies of the Courier to deliver to residents who are shielding and unable to leave their homes then please email Courier Editor Robbie Scott via rscott@eastlothiancourier.com for details. Copies can be delivered to a destination of your choice before being distributed by your volunteers.
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