Covid support groups ready to step up again as Sleaford area communities go back into lockdown

In March residents rallied round to provide a lifeline to elderly and vulnerable people unable to get suport from friends and family while staying indoors to avoid catching and being severely affected by the virus.

now those residents who are availble are kicking into action again.

Ruskington’s Covid support group was launched on Facebook and via leaflet drops by resident Zoe Ireland.

The co-ordinator, who was a finalist in this year’s NK Community Champions awards for the contribution said they are ready to go: “The volunteers who are able to continue to support have contacted those people we previously supported to check if they need us during this period.

“Our coordination via Facebook is in place so we know who can and can’t support from a volunteer perspective.

“We will shortly be posting on local Facebook groups to remind people to reach out to their volunteers directly or contact us via local pages on Facebook if they need help.”

Zoe added: “I’ve spoken to the district council and they are aware we are here still and the local pharmacy is also aware of who our pharmacy volunteers are and who they have been working with throughout.“

The Leasingham Community Volunteer Group organised shopping runs and meal deliveries from the Manor Farm Shop and the Duke of Wellington pub in the village during lockdown.

Gill Burton from the farm shop said the group has relaunched, coordinated by Liz Pearson and the Facebook group is Leasingham Community Volunteer Support Group.

Gill said during the first wave of the pandemic their food delivery orders skyrocketed due to the numbers not wanting to venture outdoors and they ended up shutting the shop and taking on volunteers to help organise the parcels of provisions so that people were not disappointed.

This time they are better prepared. She said: “We are open as normal, delivering again to those that prefer or are shielding. People seem far more relaxed about lockdown this time (including us). I suppose it’s not such an unknown quantity this time.

“The Ploughman’s Barn coffee shop is closed and staff on furlough however we are trialling take away Sunday roasts.”

A group of over 40 volunteers in Martin and Timberland were honoured for their community effort during the Covid lockdown in the NK Community Champions awards and coordinator of MATES (Martin and Timberland Emergency Support) Lindsay Fulton said they have never disbanded, being in readiness for a second wave.

Lindsay said: “Our Facebook page and Whatsapp group remained live and we have continued to fetch the odd prescription for residents when asked, even out of lockdown. We have 43 members and are fully ready to respond to requests for shopping and prescriptions. Indeed, we have already done one delivery of medication on the first day of lockdown.

“This weekend (November 7-8) we will be distributing 700 copies of a special issue of our village magazine, The Grapevine, which details all our contact numbers and reminds residents of the services we offer. In addition to having volunteers available to go shopping or collect prescriptions, we also collect and send donations of food to Lincoln Community Larder every week.”

Clare Pearson and Sue Sharman oversee these donations and are calling for donations of Christmas presents as well.

Lindsay said: “I am currently investigating the possibility of setting up a local hub for the Larder, so that people needing to use the services of the foodbank don’t have to travel all the way to Lincoln but could instead redeem their vouchers in Martin.”

During the summer holidays, MATES collected food and sent it to 18 vulnerable families via Mrs Mary King’s School in Martin.

She said: “We have started collecting items to make up Christmas hampers to send to these families, and to any others who we may identify as suffering hardship this festive season. We are also asking our MATES volunteers and people who live in our area to help us make contact with anybody who will be alone and feeling frightened, worried or ill this Christmas.

“We have a phone responders group called Hopelinks, run by Pauline Mountain, which offers a friendly phone call to anybody who wants to have a chat.

“We are determined to continue to offer a prompt and reliable service to anybody who needs it, and we hope to go the extra mile this Christmas and bring a little festive cheer to our villages.“

“We are still here and they can get hold of us if needed,” she said. “People are so grateful to know that we are there.”

Lindsay said: “MATES has brought out the best in our communities. Suddenly everyone was out and about doing things for everybody and there was a real sense that we were all in it together.”

Heckington Community Larder was a food bank set up villagers firstly in the village hall and then in the former pub until recently occupied by Lindsey James ladieswear shop.

The team wound down over the summer and do not have any plans at present to restart, but said: “We are looking towards Christmas at the moment and the next school holidays.”