How can I help neighbours?

[Thepigeonsarecoming]

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?

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

I give up

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

Thank you agent, I’ll do that

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.

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.

Are they older or vulnerable?

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.

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

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

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

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.

Thank you smeerf, I will ask

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

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.

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

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.

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

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