Good news stories in the time of Coronavirus

21 April 2020

Coronavirus is a big challenge to people across the world, but the crisis is also bringing out the best in people. We thought it was important to share a few examples of people coming together within our communities to help others.

Alsager Community Support Centre

The Alsager Community Support Centre is an outreach project of the Alsager Community Church. The building is currently closed but is being managed by a group of volunteers answering the telephone to provide support for the community. For more information visit the Alsager Community Church Website.

The support centre have linked an individual in need of support with a volunteer who lives near him, to get any shopping he needs and to pick medication up. He has also been referred to a befriending scheme to receive regular phone calls to help him with isolation.

BBQ at Telford Court

Nursing home staff from Telford Court, Crewe, organised a BBQ for residents to get involved together and reduce social isolation. Social distancing was respected but they tried to bring a sense of normality to the home.

Delivering tablets to keep people connected

Healthwatch staff have supported Telford Court Care Home in Crewe with reducing isolation by providing Android tablets to the care home. The staff at the home say the tablets help to enable residents to keep in touch with family and friends on a regular basis.

Friday Quiz Night

Healthwatch volunteer Jenny coordinated with her family across the world to take part in a quiz through social media. 7 teams took part in the quiz which helped to reduce social isolation and bring families together.

Bollington Parkinson’s Group

Bollington Parkinson’s Group, affiliated with The ALEX project, have been putting on coffee and exercise classes via Zoom three times a week to reduce social isolation. The group have said that this has proven very useful and popular for their members, enabling them to share their experiences, socialise with others, and to keep active.

Boaters Told To Stay Put

The Canal and River Trust have now told boaters to stay put and to ask for help. They have lifted the 14 day restriction on mooring. Movement is now only for essential purposes only. The Boaters are staying along the canalside where they were at the time of Lockdown. They have been told if there are no services nearby they are allowed to move to an area where they can reach services by walking.

Mind

Mind is that they are currently working with over 250 people across Cheshire. They have daily videos of walks through nature and this is joint with a mindfulness session that anyone can watch. People who are shielding have found this very enjoyable as they get to see more of the world than they currently are at the minute and it is improving their wellbeing. They are also doing tea and talk sessions and quiet zones on Zoom where they introduce sleep and meditation techniques. They have also dropped off buckets and seeds to the houses of those who are shielding to promote gardening and wellbeing. They have made this into a competition. To find out more, visit Mind.

If you hear of any local initiatives please let us know by emailing info@healthwatchcheshire.org.uk