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.
Dirleton
A COMMUNITY larder in Dirleton closed its doors last week.
Volunteers have noticed a drop in demand for their services, similar to many towns and villages across East Lothian.
Dirleton Area Resilience Team (DART) continues to undertake its primary role of supporting the local community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, as the Scottish Government has started to ease the lockdown, volunteers have noticed a reduced reliance upon them.
David Tait, DART lead coordinator, said the larder had been a much-welcomed resource in the village but, as the resilience teams can only operate under emergency circumstances, volunteers felt the time had come to close the facility.
He said: “This does not, however, mean that our role will come to an end.
“We will continue to support our community with shopping and collecting prescriptions.”
David was proud of what the team of volunteers had achieved in the last four months and said its members had no appetite to allow things to dwindle.
He added: “The team will continue its role in the community as necessary.
“It will be working with other organisations to ensure appropriate support is available, particularly where there are mental health issues, and helping with carer/volunteer support, digital skills, food packages, sourcing hardship funding and so on.
“The team’s website is here to stay and will be updated regularly."
Contact details
Please visit www.dirletonresilience.org for more information.
Dunbar
NEW requests for volunteer support from vulnerable or shielded people have now all but ceased in Dunbar as life begins to return to normal.
The Dunbar Community Resilience Team, which is made up of volunteers, has been working hard for more than three months to support people throughout the town and neighbouring West Barns.
George Robertson, who has been heavily involved with the resilience team, thanked those involved.
He said: “In addition to our regulars, we also provide volunteers for foodbank deliveries and for the meals service; we have also responded to requests for help with the allotments at Dunbar schools and for help with a children’s clothes collection.”
As well as collecting food and prescriptions, the volunteers have offered to walk people’s dogs and a wide selection of other services.
One of the newer schemes was to see laptops and tablets donated, which could then be utilised by youngsters at the town’s schools.
George, who is also chairman of Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership, felt it had been “a great success”.
He said: “Donations have dried up now but more than 70 devices were collected not just from Dunbar but from across the county, thanks to publicity in the Courier.
“This included a very posh Apple iMac with a big screen, which has found a new home at the Dunbar Sea Cadets for their training videos.
“Of the 70, about 10 were unsuitable due to faults and were broken down for spares to repair or upgrade others.
“Forty devices have been passed to the Dunbar schools and a further 12 to the small schools at West Barns, Stenton and Innerwick.
“The balance, consisting mainly of small tablets, has been passed to local youth clubs.
“I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to the many people who have donated these devices.
“They will all help the many young people who now rely on home study.”
Contact details
Anyone who still has a laptop or tablet they are willing to donate can get in touch with the Dunbar Covid Team at Dunbar.covid19@gmail.com or by calling 07568 316842.
Dunpender
EMERGENCY resilience volunteers will continue working until the end of the month.
The resilience team in Dunpender, which covers East Linton, Tyninghame and Whitekirk, has decided to step down on July 31.
At that time, it is expected that shielding will be coming to an end and restrictions will be eased.
Judith Priest, chairwoman of Dunpender Community Council, said it was likely that people would have their normal support networks back in place or be able to go out themselves by that point.
She added: “It’s been a superb effort on the part of many willing volunteers and the community owes them all a huge vote of thanks.
“Volunteers are now beginning to go back to work or start helping with their own family commitments – or maybe even manage a holiday of some sort before the schools go back!
“Meantime, all the helplines are still in operation for the next month.”
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 call 07514 136334 or 07933 709745.
North Berwick
EAST Lothian Council wants to talk to any business owners in the North Berwick Coastal area about concerns they foresee as lockdown is lifted.
The coastal area stretches from Whitekirk to Aberlady, including Dirleton, Gullane, Ballencrieff, Drem, Fenton Barns and Kingston.
North Berwick Coastal ward councillors Jeremy Findlay, Jim Goodfellow and Jane Henderson, as well as Dunbar and East Linton councillor Paul McLennan and Provost John McMillan, are involved in a Zoom meeting hosted by North Berwick Community Council, on Wednesday at 7pm.
North Berwick Community Council chairwoman Judy Lockhart said the councillors wanted to hear what problems businesses might be facing and how they could be best supported.
She said: “If you want to take this opportunity to talk to them directly, please get in touch via email so we can send you the meeting link.
“Just email nbc-ap@eastlothian.gov.uk and mark your message ‘Recovery and Renewal’.”
Meanwhile, the games swap shop at North Berwick Community Centre does not need any more donations.
Anyone who wants to pick a game up is asked to visit the centre between 10am and noon on a Friday.
Contact details
As usual, if residents need help with shopping or prescriptions, they can go to www.nbresilience.com or telephone 07745 636441.
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