Another 'should I do this' thread.

[esjee]

My mum has been in a care home temporarily for a number of months and now has a permanent place, as a result she needs to 'officially' move out of her flat immediately as she cannot afford to continue paying rent while not living there. I suggested I could go to the flat (it will be empty) and sort through everything to make sure nothing important gets thrown away before it gets cleared out by social services. The alternative is that she mentions whatever she can remember thats important and hopes the carer etc can pick it up and everything else gets chucked important or not. I'd have to get train there and back (25 mins). I haven't been anywhere else. She's now worried that I'll get the virus or get fined. I think this is classed as helping a vulnerable person, and in terms of the virus we're going to be going back to life to some degree soon so it will be impossible to do nothing where you might catch it anyway.....

I think that certainly comes under caring for a vulnerable person. She would be very distressed to just have her whole life thrown away by some strangers clearing her flat for the next tennant.
I’d go and rescue important/sentimental items that could be dropped off to her care home.

It’s fine to do this to help a vulnerable person. It would be better if you could avoid public transport but if you can’t drive then you’ll have to use it.

I don't have access to a car unforunately, so will have to be train and probably a taxi. I'd already agreed to go, but my mum rung me back because her friend had convinced her it was a terrible idea and I'd catch the virus or the police would fine me! It made me doubt myself. As well as stuff for her, I'd like to rescue stuff like photos and other bits as well for the future so really not happy for strangers to do this even if my mum would agree.

Go to the flat, your journey is legitimate. You need to get those things.

There will be almost no one else on the train.

I think it's a reasonable thing to do.

It's perfectly reasonable and it would definitely count as essential travel. Are you are at higher risk from Covid? Is that why your mum's concerned for you? As a PP says the trains will be quiet now. It's probably much safer to travel now whilst we're in lockdown than when it ends. Would that help her to know? If you're a little nervous yourself, could you wear a mask. A homemade one will do. Hand sanitiser when travelling, wash the clothes you wear when you get home.

Yes, this is perfectly acceptable for you to do.