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Covid

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Original poster

How can I help neighbours?

19 replies

Thepigeonsarecoming · 13/03/2020 02:14

Firstly I’m not infected or at risk. I’m just reading the news and lots say to ask neighbours/friends to help with shopping. I only know my neighbours in passing. If something was to happen how would I know they needed support (or vice versa). Is there somewhere I can look for people needing help?

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Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 13/03/2020 02:58

No one? Are there no community groups or does no one care if it’s not about them?

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Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 13/03/2020 03:15

I give up

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AgentProvocateur · 13/03/2020 03:17

Put a note through their door with your name address and phone number and what you’re offering to do - shopping, collecting prescriptions etc.

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 13/03/2020 03:18

Thank you agent, I’ll do that

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StopGo · 13/03/2020 04:27

The note through the door is great idea. If your neighbours are elderly/vulnerable and do become ill then Adult Services might be able to help.

I don't think that people don't care about each other but there is a lack of infrastructure to support the community.

Peridot1 · 13/03/2020 04:30

I think you haven’t had many responses as it’s the middle of the night.

I agree putting a note in the door might be easiest.

Is there a local Facebook page?

It’s a really nice idea to want to help.

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/03/2020 04:38

Are they older or vulnerable?

Crackerofdoom · 13/03/2020 04:39

We are in Austria and schools are closing from Wednesday. We are buddying up with other parents so we can help with childcare for people who need to go to work.

A friend has a dog and has offered to take the older neighbour's dog too when she walks him so they don't have to go out.

Definitely put a note through the door. You can suggest that you are making a group so people can help each other out. You may find other people join wanting to help too.

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 14/03/2020 04:42

Thank you for your responses, I agree my shift patterns and posting maybe to blame as I sometimes forget people aren’t awake when I am! Too many years doing this! I’ve looked in local Facebook pages, but it’s all complaints about shortages of toilet roll mainly. But yes I will try putting a note through doors

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MrsTerryPratchett · 14/03/2020 04:50

I think just starting to say hello to neighbours honestly is a good thing.

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 14/03/2020 04:55

I’ve lived here for over 10 years, I do say hello but it’s not a very overly chatty neighbourhood.

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smeerf · 14/03/2020 05:41

I received a note through my door from a couple of local people offering their help, they included their phone number to request help as well as how to join the organisers' WhatsApp group as a volunteer. The note made it very clear what are was covered (just our estate and neighbouring street) and that nothing was expected in return.

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 14/03/2020 05:46

Thank you smeerf, I will ask

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Spinakker · 14/03/2020 05:53

That's really kind of you. Yes a note through the door would be a really helpful thing and I can imagine someone struggling might ring you. Otherwise just maybe try and get talking to them when you're both outside x

sashh · 14/03/2020 07:42

A not through the door.

Thank you for doing this. My nearest relatives are 100+ miles away, I do have a carer but we have discussed contingency plans for if either of us is ill. My dad is in his 80s and I am comforted that he has good friends and neighbours.

I think there will be a lot of small local help groups before this is over.

There are lots of things that could make life easier eg instead of ordering an online shop for yourself get a couple of neighbours together to have a single delivery.

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 15/03/2020 02:09

I’ve joined a WhatsApp group, seems another person on my close had a similar idea and concerns. Thank you all for your advice

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DioneTheDiabolist · 15/03/2020 18:30

I started a WA group and it has already been helpful for a number of people who have had to self isolate, so good luck OP.

But be careful, they might have a different sense of humour than you.

Whycantibetangy · 15/03/2020 19:02

I popped a note through the doors of my road (about 20 houses) with my number and offering to set up a little helping group. There is a fairly even mix of elderly and families. 12 have replied already and a little old lady who lives right at the end of the road got her daughter to call me to check it was real - the daughter lives miles and miles away and was really worried about her mum, I thought she was going to cry, she was so grateful that there is going to be lots of folk looking out for her

Original poster

Thepigeonsarecoming · 16/03/2020 01:29

In case anyone else is interested groups are springing up on Facebook called “ covid-19 mutual aid”. Is you search for this along with the name of your town/city. I’ve joined my local one and it has hundreds of members. Reassuring to see how many kind people are out there offering to help

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