Bruton is a close-knit community. We know that most people in Bruton have friends, neighbours and family who would want to step in to help if necessary. Many of you will already be helping others nearby. In some parts of the town small neighbourhood groups are being set up so that neighbours can keep an eye out for each other. Most people find it easier to help and be helped by people that they know. The more of Bruton that organises in this way, the better.
There are also people in our parish who may slip through the net, for one reason or another. There are people who are already self-quarantining, and who have no local support networks. In the present health emergency, we all want to do all that we can to ensure that the most vulnerable get all the support that they need.
The arrangements to help these particularly vulnerable people are already in place and working, but we expect their numbers to increase, and we also expect some of the volunteers to fall ill. We therefore need to build a larger pool of willing and able helpers so we can cope with more widespread sickness. This is why we are now making this call for volunteers. If you can commit to help in some way for at least the next two months, please fill out the form below and someone will get in touch with you.
Even if there is nothing for you to do immediately, there soon will be. Tasks we know we are likely to need help with include the following:
- Driving and dropping off home deliveries (a few extra people are needed now);
- Developing a Food Drop that can provide emergency supplies to a large number of people;
- Telephone buddies for the isolated. (There are enough at the moment, but we need to build a reserve. Volunteers for this service will need to be interviewed and receive some training).
- We think some self-isolating people will need someone to walk their dog. We need one or more people who know how to organise this kind of thing, and other volunteers to help with the actual dog walking.
There will doubtless be more to come. Thanks in advance for your help.
Update on 23 March 2020
We have had an overwhelming number of offers of help. If you are thinking of volunteering please do, but (unless you want organise the dog-walking service) your name will be placed on the reserve list for the time being.
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