Self help groups in Somerset
As the Coronavirus crisis has developed, a large number of self help groups have started up. Run by communities for communities the following are the ones we have been made aware of.
Most are providing volunteers to help those who are self isolating or who may have trouble getting supplies and medicine.
We will be repeating the information in the April copy of The Leveller to try and make as many residents aware as possible and to minimise the chances of anyone being cut off completely from the outside world:
Facebook groups
Coronavirus Community Help Taunton
Coronavirus Community Help Bridgwater
Glastonbury Corona Virus Support Network
Coronavirus Community Help West Somerset
Shepton Mallet Coronavirus Volunteers
Coronavirus Community Help South Somerset
Ilminster Covid 19 Mutual Aid
Other initiatives
Bruton Town Council are relaunching our “Bruton Buddies” volunteer scheme to stop ‘social distancing’ turning into social isolation, and will help to secure training to keep helpers and their neighbours safe. Volunteers have already come forward who are willing to look out for neighbours who may not have relatives nearby, maintain phone contact, and help deliver food and other supplies to those who have no other support. Please email health@brutontowncouncil.gov.uk, or phone 01749 813014, if you too would like to join these efforts.
Frome Town Council leafletted the whole town to get the message to residents that they could get help if they needed it. They have organised a roster of volunteers under the banner “Frome Covid Mutual Aid” to get together enough volunteers to help those self-isolating in the town.
Somerton Community Lifeline is an initiative to gather an army of volunteers to help those in need. Six local telephone numbers, manned by the local churches, will take requests for picking up shopping or prescriptions and will pass details to the co-ordinator, Mo Fletcher. Mo will allocate a volunteer who will have an ID badge. There will be a password system to identify your volunteer. So far over 50 people have registered as volunteers. Mo can be contacted by email at fletcher080@btinternet.com or 07718 920 198
In South Petherton every household in the village received an information sheet delivered by volunteers – hands washed and distances kept – to tell them about a new service for their community. Anyone who wants help, just ASK! says the team: visit our website: http://www.pethertonsupport.co.uk or if you have no internet access call 01460 510022.
Curry Rivel Support Group are also doing something similar having leaflets delivered around the village and a small army of volunteers ready to help. The group is being co-ordinated by Steve Allinson Email steve@allinsonlaw.com