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 four of the groups who are giving up their own time to help out.
Dunbar
AN APPEAL for unwanted laptops and tablets to be given to youngsters to help them study during the coronavirus has reached an impressive milestone.
Community resilience volunteers in Dunbar called for the electronic devices to be donated.
Each laptop and tablet is wiped clean, with various upgrades carried out before they can be used by students.
George Robertson, chairman of Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership (DELAP), was pleased to say the scheme had proven a success.
He told the Courier: “We are up to 55 to 60 devices.
“They have slowed quite a bit but we are still getting about two a day.
“They all still require work and there is a bit of a backlog but they will get passed on to the schools when I can.”
Funding could also be secured to make sure the popular meal service, which has seen community resilience volunteers linking up with Home-Start East Lothian, continue.
Hot meals prepared by a team of chefs are given to vulnerable members of the community throughout Dunbar and West Barns.
A funding application is being drawn up in a bid to see the scheme extended.
George, who is also a member of the town’s community council, said it had been an interesting experience being involved with the town’s resilience efforts.
He said: “It has been very different.
“I think all the resilience groups around the county feel the same way.
“We felt we were probably going to get involved when there was extreme weather or floods or some other disaster.
“That would last a couple of weeks at most, certainly not something that lasts for months.
“It has been different but we have been able to provide a service which is of great benefit to the few people who are vulnerable and without friends or family.
“It has filled a very important need.”
Contact details
To find out more, e-mail Dunbar.covid19@gmail.com or call 07568 316842.
For more information, go to Dunbar and District Coronavirus Community Helpers at facebook.com/groups/2770007929781573 or Dunbar Community Council at facebook.com/DunbarCommunityCouncil
Dunpender
VOLUNTEERS in East Linton are continuing to deliver hot meals three days a week to a number of households, and are also helping with shopping and collecting prescriptions for people who need support.
Elsewhere, in the outlying parts of the Dunpender community – Whittingehame, Tyninghame and Whitekirk – residents continue to help their neighbours with shopping to avoid unnecessary journeys.
The Lynton Centre has been delivering three-course meals to members and to those aged 65 and over or who are disabled and in need of this service.
It can be contacted on 01620 861807.
A rota of its volunteers has been phoning members every day to keep their spirits up while they are unable to come to the Day Centre for social contact.
Judith Priest, chairwoman of Dunpender Community Council, told the Courier: “Local shops here in East Linton have done a great job, making sure they have plenty of supplies and clear safety guidelines for shoppers.
“Home deliveries are available from The Mart and Linton Butchers.
"There is an organic vegetable stall at Phantassie on Saturdays and Bostock Bakery has been very popular, with cyclists stopping for a takeaway coffee and croissant.
“Barney’s Coffee Shop is now open for a selection of gifts and, of course, takeaway coffee and cakes, plus afternoon teas can be ordered for a treat delivered to your home.”
Contact details
Information relating to the coronavirus can be found at www.tyninghamevillagehall.org.uk or by going to www.eastlinton.uk.com
People can also contact 07514 136334 or 07933 709745.
North Berwick
QUILT makers in North Berwick are making a special ‘lockdown memory’ quilt which they are hoping will be hung in the town’s community centre.
Law Quilters, who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year, have been busy throughout the coronavirus crisis making quilts for various uses in hospitals, hospices and women’s refuges.
They include ‘Linus’ quilts for children, heart-shaped cushions for mastectomy patients and quilts for incubators, as well as face coverings.
All of the quilt group’s 40 members will be participating in the lockdown memory quilt.
Moira Cochran, Law Quilters president, who is a retired nurse, said the group had come up with a number of images which will be included in the quilt.
They include the unique signage warning people to stay two metres apart, baking – which has become incredibly popular during lockdown – a supermarket trolley full of toilet rolls, a computer screen with a Zoom meeting on it, rainbows, puffins and face coverings.
Moira added: “We will also feature a ‘Thank You NHS’ image and a row of houses to represent the street links in North Berwick.”
Meanwhile, 15 volunteers led by Khlayre Cairney from North Berwick Resilience Group have stitched 456 face coverings so far from the cotton pillow cases and duvet covers donated to the community centre.
“To date we have issued supplies to Astley House, North Berwick Day Centre, Tantallon Court, families being supported via the North Berwick Community Centre, and our own North Berwick volunteers,” said Khlayre.
Finally, more computer tablets have been distributed to care homes in the North Berwick area to enable residents to see and speak to relatives online.
Three have been delivered to Fidra House care home, two to Leuchie House and another two to the Edington Cottage Hospital.
North Berwick Rotary is working with North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) on this project, which has received a grant of £3,000 from the Foundation Scotland Community Response Fund.
This grant was made to NBCC specifically for this project.
Contact details
As usual, if residents need help with shopping or prescriptions, they can go to www.nbresilience.com or phone 07745 636441.
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