Small acts of kindness helping lives in lockdown
Simple acts like buying milk in a bottle for a blind person is making life bearable for vulnerable people thanks to volunteers who have banded together to help their neighbours.
The kindness of Wednesbury residents has been highlighted by Councillor Luke Giles who helped set up an online group which organises support for those self-isolating during the Covid-19 outbreak.
He explained: “An example of what people are doing is the case of a blind man who contacted us because he couldn’t leave his home and he needed milk but in a glass bottle so he can tell the difference between different liquids when he reaches into his fridge.
“So we put a post on our Facebook page and a volunteer living close to him went out and found a shop still selling milk in bottles and now regularly delivers it.”
Since launching the Wednesbury Coronavirus Support Group in March over 100 people have volunteered to do shopping, deliver prescriptions and drop off food parcels to those trapped indoors.
The group was formed with local firefighter and community activist Andrew Scattergood, who saw the need for local networks to help residents.
Thanking volunteers for giving up their time to help others, Councillor Giles said the smallest acts were making a real difference to those who can’t leave their homes.
“We are also taking calls from people who haven’t seen anyone for days and just need to talk to someone for 30 minutes or so.
“People have also donated £500 which allows us to help those who are maybe waiting for benefits and we can order food from a local shop, pick it up and deliver it.
“It’s all small stuff but it is making life bearable for those who can’t go out.”
The group is staffed by two volunteers who take phone calls 24 hours a day and help update the Facebook page.
The support group can be contacted at Wednesbury Coronavirus Support Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/658832674873658 or by ringing 07597 142161 or 07925 150323.
