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Good Neighbour Groups caring for our Communities
Would you be prepared to help sick, vulnerable and self-isolated people in your community who have no-one else to turn to during Coronavirus? If so, we'd like to hear from you.
Here at DaCCWA we would like to encourage as many groups as possible to make plans to support their neighbours in case they need to check on the welfare of people who have had to self-isolate or need help. We believe that the key is organising local Good Neighbour Groups now, before more people get ill, so that a local contact telephone number can be delivered to each address BEFORE people become wary of going door to door, or a lockdown is put in place. From that point, all communication can be done by phone, email and social channels.
We are asking you to establish Good Neighbour Groups in your communities to identify vulnerable people and those who self-isolate, by doing a leaflet drop in the area, inviting people to contact a local telephone number for support. We would hope that local volunteer coordinators will then organise a regular telephone call to check on the welfare of those who ask for help, to check that their basic needs can be met, e.g. for food, medication, electricity etc, until they recover, or to notify the relevant local authorities or even the emergency services if required.
Please contact the DaCCWA team to let us know the area your group will cover. We will collate this information and make sure it is shared with your local neighbourhood policing and relevant local authority teams. Email to daccwa@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk.
See below a template letter you could use for your leaflet drop.
Thank you for your continuing support and care.
YOUR GOOD NEIGHBOUR GROUP IS HERE TO HELP
Due to the currently developing situation with Coronavirus, we are working locally to identify and help vulnerable people who would like support within our local community.
For this area, your named contact is: ________________________________
and their telephone number is: ________________________________
Please get in contact to the above person if you feel that you or a member of your family are vulnerable and wish to be contacted on a regular basis to check on your/their welfare, especially if you/they are self-isolating for the recommended period of time. This will ensure that you/they have someone in regular communication and have access to a team of local volunteers who can help obtain any medication, get supplies delivered as well as help with getting in contact with relevant local authorities whilst you are isolated.
Most importantly, please continue to follow Public Health England/NHS guidelines to do what you can to stop Coronavirus spreading. It is particularly important for people who:
are 70 and over
have a long-term health condition
are pregnant
have a weakened immune system
Do
wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
always wash your hands when you get home or into work
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
only travel on public transport if you need to
work from home, if you can
avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
avoid events with large groups of people
use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
Don't
do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
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