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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To write to my mum's neighbours?

11 replies

gratooo · 26/03/2020 18:37

Here in London there seems to be a huge uprising of voluntary groups wanting to help their elderly and vulnerable neighbours with shopping etc. Our local council is registering people through its voluntary service too, and has launched a helpline for vulnerable residents. I assumed it would be the same everywhere, but my mum lives alone in the north-east and there seems to be nothing equivalent going on in her area. I called her local council and was told they hadn't yet been "told" to set anything up ... he said they were all working from home so there was nobody to coordinate anything, or to send out leaflets to people who might need help.

My mum, in her seventies, is pretty independent. She has stocked her freezer well enough to last a few weeks, but doesn't have any fresh groceries (bread, milk, fruit and veg). She is trying to go out as little as possible. She hasn't been able to get a supermarket delivery slot (and in any case, the minimum spend for most services is more than she would need). I'm really surprised that none of her neighbours has offered to pick up a few things for her. She has lived in the same house for years and knows several of her neighbouring families well. I'm thinking of writing to them to let them know she might welcome an offer of help. Would you?

OP posts:
Luzina · 26/03/2020 18:38

There are loads of Facebook groups with volunteers offering to help people out, hopefully there's one local to your mum

Luzina · 26/03/2020 18:40

covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/

Arthur2shedsJackson · 26/03/2020 18:43

The Nextdoor network covers the UK. Ours ( Surrey) is rammed with people/groups offering all sorts of help to vulnerable people.
Could you try this?

rookiemere · 26/03/2020 18:46

Just ask on FB - I did this for my parents who live an hour away and got a friend of a friend to get some shopping for them, but now some existing neighbours have volunteered also.

It may also be possible to set up a milk delivery- I've done that for mine - and if you really struggle to get someone to help then book a grocery delivery slot for them although won't be for a couple of weeks.

littleduckeggblue · 26/03/2020 18:55

Sign her up with a local milkman, they delivery milk, bread, cheese etc
And look on fb for a local butcher and fruit and veg shop, they are all doing free deliveries

Generallybewildered · 26/03/2020 19:00

If I was her neighbour I wouldn’t mind helping. No harm in sending a letter. They will also know more about local voluntary services even if they can’t help.

hm246 · 26/03/2020 19:06

I’m ron the board of two county’s, both have FB groups set up with volunteers. Local businesses that will deliver items and people who are available to pick extra bits up and drop off. Maybe have a look to see if there is one for her area.

BeamerTown · 26/03/2020 19:06

People are being really useful with their suggestions, but to answer your actual question - definitely write to them, and give them your mobile number so you can communicate with them by text in the future.

beautifulxdisasters · 26/03/2020 19:14

I'm in the north east OP and there's loads springing up round me - could you PM me or post what area and I can have a look?

Alternatively can you join the NextDoor app but with your mum's postcode - that's how a lot near me are organising

beautifulxdisasters · 26/03/2020 19:16

Or yes as others have said search Facebook for [your mum's area] groups and join and post - there must be a local group for her area

EmeraldShamrock · 26/03/2020 19:34

They probably assumed she has stuff in. Do you know the neighbour's can you make contact through Facebook with one, trying a volunteering group too, by the time you write and send a letter .
I think young and old are self isolating.

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