16 March 2020
Dear Widcombe Association Member
Coronavirus
It is clear that incidents of coronavirus are set to peak over the next few months. There is no reason to suppose that Widcombe will be spared. We don’t know how badly but it’s not going to be pleasant, so let’s prepare. As well as following official advice there is much that we can do as a community.
The Widcombe Association Committee urge us all:
- To look after and watch out for each other, in particular those who live alone, are elderly or infirm.
- To agree mutual support with your neighbours, family and friends to make contact (phone or email) regularly to ensure that everyone is OK and has some personal contact especially if people have to, or choose to, self-isolate.
- Help could include: shopping, collecting prescription, recycling and disposing of rubbish, keeping informed on latest Government advice and relevant websites or just having a chat.
- For those locally who find themselves isolated and needing support, with no offers of help from elsewhere, then please contact Hilary Furlonger, (treasurer@widcombeassociation.or
g.uk or 07794 922082) or Jeremy Boss (chairman@widcombeassociation.org .uk or 01225 484794) who have very kindly volunteered to coordinate support and connect you with a street group or local volunteer. - We need people to volunteer to help locally, especially from those not in the more highly at risk groups. Is your street in Widcombe already doing something? Would you be willing to be a contact person for your road or street? Ideally we would like to have two or more people from each street in Widcombe acting as a point of contact for those in need. If you are willing and able to offer assistance over this difficult period, please get in touch with with Hilary or Jeremy.
- Sadly, we also need to be alert to the possibility of scammers seeking to exploit vulnerable residents during what might well be a distressing and confusing time. We will not keep or share personal data other than to initiate contacts. We will not publish the names of any volunteers and street groups or of people seeking help.
In all, it does seem like a time to draw together as a community and support each other. Do please pass this email on to your local contacts, as this is something for all Widcombe residents, not just WA members.
Alan Langton
Widcombe Association Secretary