Brentford Comes Together to Offer Support
Local Volunteers Mobilise to Help Neighbours During Pandemic
A group of volunteers in Brentford have come together to reach out to neighbours in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Brentford Mutual Aid group is one of hundreds of local community initiatives set up to support those suffering from the effects of the outbreak. With many elderly, disabled and immunocompromised residents asked to self-isolate for a period of 12 weeks, the volunteers have been offering to shop for food, run errands or just pick up the phone for a chat.
The organisation is primarily being coordinated through messaging app WhatsApp, with a public group on the social media platform Facebook. In order to minimise risk of infection, face to face contact is kept at a minimum through measures such as dropping shopping off at a neighbour’s door.
“The pandemic is obviously a worrying time for many, but we want to make sure that Brentford’s amazing community spirit really shines through to help our more vulnerable neighbours,” said Jack Emsley, one of the local Brentford organisers. “We’re working to make sure those most in need continue to have access to food, are able to post letters or just have someone to talk to during the coming weeks. We’ve got over 70 volunteers and have reached out to neighbours on almost as many streets in just 24 hours- an amazing testament to the great community spirit in TW8!”
The group is asking for more Brentford residents who are able to help neighbours to come forwards, especially those with cars who are able to help residents in need with their shopping.
As the number of volunteers continues to grow, smaller sub-groups are being set up to better coordinate help on a road to road basis.
If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone in the area who is in need, you can contact the group via its Facebook page here.
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March 20, 2020