Mobilising volunteers during Coronavirus outbreak..?

[suggestionsplease1]

Assuming things head in the direction it appears they might be...

It seems like it would be worthwhile organising teams of volunteers in local communities, who, for the periods they hope to help, are fit, healthy, capable of taking the right precautions for their own and others' safety - who can help neighbours who are struggling.

eg. elderly people who live alone, but don't have much support and can't easily order online shopping - they would benefit from neighbours dropping bags of shopping at their front door if their usual support systems break down due to people being ill etc. This would seem preferable to moving vulnerable people to a more communal environment where they might more easily get needs met, but face more exposure to the virus.

Is this a silly idea and if not, what's the best way of organising this? I would like to add my name to a list of people that would be happy to appropriately help vulnerable or isolated people (whilst taking all possible safety precautions to avoid spreading the virus) in my local community, should the need arise.

I think you should start with the Red Cross or the salvation if you’re after that sort of advice.

People are offering similar community services on my local nextdoor website.

And here on a Facebook group. 500 sign ups since yesterday. Or try a letter through doors if you know of some vulnerable local households?

My local MP is organising a database of people who would be able to volunteer in the area.

Good idea, might be worth you having a look at this:

blog.nextdoor.co.uk/2020/03/12/community-action-response-launched-in-the-face-of-emerging-coronavirus-crisis/

Our Church is co ordinating this, you could try your local one (regardless of Faith or lack thereof).

I signed up to Next Door for this too, just one post asking for a masseur so far

Not a silly idea, a human one. But I do wonder how one would ensure that volunteers, out and about in the wider community so presumably exposed to widespread virus, visiting many vulnerable people at home did not simply spread the illness?

Yes, I have been wondering this too.

visiting many vulnerable people at home did not simply spread the illness?
This is a valid point. I know of churches that are having to be closed.

I’m also a bit concerned about how we’d ensure that volunteers were volunteering to be helpful and not taking advantage of the opportunity to access the homes of vulnerable people

Hopefully the Red Cross abs Salvation Army have it all in hand

Yes, that seems to be where it might make sense for it to be formalised in a way - eg. taking and passing online training in safety considerations as to how to avoid spreading further, PVG, Disclosure membership etc

We're doing this in my local community

Round by us the community council manage this for all sorts of events such as bad weather, power cuts etc already.

Any of us who help at Church are DBS checked, and I think the idea would be to collect medications, shopping etc, so sadly may not be able to stay and chat which whilst desperately needed is just not safe.

Red Cross and Salvation Army are already placed to manage this as a PP said

I will check Red Cross, Salvation Army and Nextdoor out... Thanks for sharing what is happening with you all locally!

My local Nextdoor has a team of people offering to do shopping for anyone that needs it.

As we speak we have been setting up a What's app group for our street with volunteers who belong to next door 😊

Great idea for both community moral and people that need help/are isolated

This is what's starting in New South Wales, Australia. Woolworths is working in conjunction with Meal On Wheel to ensure elderly who have difficulty gaining access to their stores. www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-coles-has-announced-strict-new-shopping-restrictions/news-story/40dc40fde656db58fcd7cbd957f9825a