I want to help.

[Bottletopsx]

I feel so guilty that I am not doing anything to help in this dreadful pandemic. I am in my 60's and so is my husband but he is in the high risk category and so are not going out of our house and garden at all. We are ok for food, are warm and keeping in touch with family by phone, watts-app etc but I want to be able to do something to help. What can I do?

My village has a buddy system where a local charity and the church have a register of people self isolating and they get regular phone calls.

Most councils are asking for volunteers and you can register through their website or Facebook group.

Look up covid support in your council and give them a ring to see how you can pitch in.

Thank you so much. I will.

You can sign up to the nhs volunteer scheme, you can opt to make phone calls to people on their own, so no face to face needed.

The government volunteer system is also asking for people to help from home as they know a lot of people can’t go out. On the sign up form you can select the help you’re able to give.

I completely relate to wanting to do something, anything, to help. Thankfully where I live the volunteers far outstrip the numbers needing help, the food bank in the church is overflowing - yes even with pasta and loo roll! - and I’m on two different registers of people willing to help but haven’t yet been called on.

I’ve got a baby and my car died a few days ago was I obviously can’t get it fixed but I’m happy to shop and deliver supplies on foot and call people self isolating. I think we all know things will get much worse before they get better so it’s good to know support is on hand as it’s needed.

Wishing you and your husband continuing health.

If you have children who are working from home you could do remote babysitting of your grandchildren.

My parents can keep my 2 year old DD entertained for half an hour on a video call, singing songs with her etc. I know it sounds a tiny thing, but people who can be working is helping the economy.

If you can sew, our local GP surgery is asking locals to make overalls for them from a pattern as they have no PPE.

Thank you