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.
Cockenzie and Port Seton
THE Cockenzie and Port Seton Resilience Group continues its service to help those in need but is starting to plan for how the effort can continue once lockdown restrictions are eased.
The effort is being led by the local community council, whose chairman Bryan Hickman said: “We’ve been asked to plan the resilience group going forward, how we will help when people go back to work and how we will deliver afterwards.
“We’ve got enough volunteers and finances that when people start returning to work we can keep it going for a long time and we can still produce as many meals as we are doing.”
Bryan said that the Port Seton Centre has had its responder category upgraded, which means all those who wish to enter the centre must now get their temperature checked, in an attempt to “try and improve isolation aspects”.
The resilience team also received money from the Scottish Government as part of a hardship fund to help those who are struggling, for example, to pay their bills.
Bryan stressed that the money does not need to be paid back and is already starting to be used.
Anyone who wishes to apply for the confidential service is asked to contact the Port Seton Centre or the emergency phone number.
Bryan also thanked Jennifer Rutherford, a volunteer who gave up her time to cook meals at the Port Seton Centre four days a week for seven weeks.
Jennifer has now gone back to work.
On VE Day, afternoon tea boxes were handed out and were well received by the community.
A pantry at Port Seton Centre is open 2pm-3pm, Monday-Friday for those needing support with food, toiletries or pet food.
Those who wish to attend are asked to social distance and wait for a member of staff to assist them.
Delivery enquiries can also be made by calling 01875 818181.
Contact details
Those who require assistance of any kind are asked to call the resilience emergency number on 07783 643105.
Humbie, East and West Saltoun, and Bolton
A WEEKLY shop is being carried out for those needing assistance in West Saltoun.
Residents are doing what they can to help each other, following the establishment of community resilience groups in the village and neighbouring East Saltoun, Humbie and Bolton.
Derek Smith, the point of contact in West Saltoun, said they were continuing to do what they could to help one another during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “As far as I am aware, we are all coping and doing what we can for our communities as and when there is a need.
"There is a weekly shop done here for a number of households in West Saltoun.
“The fire brigade are delivering some leaflets just with advice and what not, and they will be distributed as well.
“The other villages are responding to the needs that are being flagged up, whether that be in East Saltoun, Bolton or Humbie.
“Humbie are fortunate in that they have the Humbie Hub, and East Saltoun also have The Bothy.
“Al Beck [treasurer of Humbie, East and West Saltoun and Bolton Community Council] keeps us all informed about all the information that comes through, plus we get regular updates from the council and they can be passed on as well.
“In a village like West Saltoun, we are pretty self sufficient and we all look out for each other.”
Contact details
People in Bolton should contact Shena Jamieson on 01620 810239 or by email at shenajamieson@aol.com.
East Saltoun residents can contact Buffy Neilson on 07798 738372 or buffyneilson@yahoo.co.uk.
In West Saltoun, Derek Smith is the point of contact on 01875 340722 or by emailing coruisk27@gmail.com.
In Humbie, people are encouraged to call Margo Hodge on 01875 833638 or email humbiehelp20@gmail.com
Longniddry
THE resilience effort in Longniddry is being led by the local church and supported by Longniddry Community Council.
As well as this service, residents have also taken it upon themselves to help friends and neighbours in need.
Sheila Jamieson, who is at the heart of the resilience efforts, says requests to her have so far been low but there are about 80 volunteers ready and willing to carry out enquiries when they come in.
One is offering a dog walking service and, while help with shopping can be provided, residents are said to increasingly be getting their shopping delivered to them.
Help picking up prescriptions can also be offered but the local pharmacy has a delivery service in place to those aged 70 and over.
Contact details
Anyone who requires assistance or has a query they would like answered can call Sheila Jamieson on 07927 400437.
Musselburgh
MEASURES to help vulnerable residents cope with social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic was high on Resilient Musselburgh’s agenda this week – designated as Mental Health Awareness Week by the Mental Health Foundation.
Iain Clark, chairman of Musselburgh Area Partnership, said: “We have implemented several ideas to support mental health wellbeing during the lengthy period of isolation being experienced by many during this crisis.”
He added: “We are collaborating with the Courier to source and distribute copies of the newspaper into the community for the over-70s so they can take advantage of the additional content of crosswords, puzzles and word searches.
“Resilient Musselburgh’s Connected Communities staff have also been working hard to prepare activity packs aimed at both adults and children.
“Hopefully, these packs will provide some activity to give members of the community an additional focus.”
The team’s new base at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre is working well, as the 100-strong band of volunteers continue to support the communities of Musselburgh, Wallyford, Whitecraig and Old Craighall.
Iain said: “To date, we have supported the community through a needs-based distribution of 1,672 meals, 1,530 soup and sandwiches, 741 pre-school lunches, 120 emergency food packs and delivered 40 prescriptions.”
He paid tribute to all the volunteers, adding: “Without their support we would not be able to deliver this support into our community.
"They continue to deliver a vital response to our community."
Contact details
The Resilient Musselburgh dedicated support number is 07871 729037.
Prestonpans
THE work of the Prestonpans resilience team continues to grow as more people needing support get in touch with them – and they are preparing for additional challenges as the Scottish Government’s “test, trace isolate, support” strategy is introduced.
Community council chairman Brian Weddell says the team are aware more people could find themselves self-isolating or shielding as plans to ease the lockdown move forward.
He said regular shopping deliveries and dog-walking assistance are being provided by volunteers, with evening grocery collections from local convenience stores now added to the growing list of tasks.
He said: “No job seems too difficult or onerous for our volunteers and we are so grateful for them coming forward and giving up their spare time to help local people in their time of need.
“The next phase of the Scottish Government testing, tracing and isolating strategy could see many people shielding who will require support and we will gear up as this evolves.”
Residents needing shopping can call upon the three local Scotmid stores in Prestonpans, which have introduced a home-delivery service utilising the resilience volunteers.
Anyone needing shopping delivered can contact their nearest Scotmid store.
The work at the Pennypit Pantry also continues to grow and last week they provided 1,050 meals to local people, along with supplies of groceries and essential household items.
The staff at the Pennypit have been contacted by many local people thanking them for their support.
If anyone in Prestonpans is needing support with meals or essential groceries, Fundamental Foods can be contacted on 01875 815221 or by email via lornabellany@gmail.com
The community council is giving special thanks to Jane Russell and her team who are providing fresh Sunday roast chicken dinners, as featured in the Courier.
Last weekend, they delivered 112 meals around East Lothian, and say that their number of elderly referrals has increased during the last few weeks.
Visit East Lothian Sunday Fresh Chicken Dinners on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eastboxes/ or call 07752 284249.
Prestonpans Community Council have also set up a hardship fund for people finding it difficult the longer lockdown continues.
Contact details
Anyone needing support should telephone the resilience hotline telephone number on 07517 715085 or email prestonpansresilience@gmail.com
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