VOLUNTEERS in Helensburgh who stepped up to the mark when the lockdown began more than 10 weeks ago have been warmly praised this week.
To mark the annual Volunteers Week, which runs from June 1-7, the Visiting Friends charity has given special praise to the 45 temporary volunteers who responded to a call for help issued back in March.
Ever since strict limits were introduced on people’s movements, Visiting Friends, in common with many other community groups, has been providing vital services to people in Helensburgh who are ‘shielding’ because they are deemed to be at the greatest risk from Covid-19 infection.
The charity is now supporting more than 35 clients with regular weekly shopping deliveries, prescription pick-ups, welfare checks and telephone befriending.
Manager Jayne Burnett said: “The volunteer response has been wonderful and having a bank of brilliant volunteers of all ages and backgrounds has meant that we can also work with other organisations to provide them with volunteers.
“We’ve been working with Jean’s Bothy and Argyll and Bute Council to support them with their food deliveries. Our strong connections with Lomond School have meant that not only have they been quick off the mark to provide fantastic student volunteers but they have also stepped in to provide their minibuses and drivers which have been crucial in the effort to deliver hundreds of food parcels each week.”
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Jayne said the story of one member of Visiting Friends’ volunteer army, John Chivers, “sums up the kindness and motivation of many of our volunteers”.
John said: “As a former submariner I know how being isolated can affect your mental health; on submarines we had little contact with the outside world, no internet, email, social media or FaceTime, but we could talk with our shipmates.
“This is the opposite, though – there is lots of tech to keep in touch, but zero human contact.
“So if someone just needed to hear a friendly voice I was happy to offer it – it just seemed the natural thing to volunteer.”
During the lockdown, Visiting Friends matched John with one shielding Helensburgh resident, Mike, who is living on his own in the town.
John continued: “I phone Mike a few times a week and we chat about anything really, from gardening to global warming and cars to quizzes.
“I also collect his prescriptions and any shopping he requires.”
Mike said: “What I’ve got from talking to John is just some company – I don’t think many people realise how much they miss being in contact with other people, even if it’s just a brief 30 seconds when buying something in a shop.
“I don’t have a big social network and live on my own, so self-isolating in a flat by myself is very trying.
“Speaking with John, mostly, on the phone, usually for over an hour most times, lifts my spirits a good deal, and also lets me know that there are decent people out there.
“Just knowing someone is there if you really need them and is checking up on you to make sure you are OK and have everything you need to get by, it’s a really great thing.”
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Meanwhile, back at her home base, Visiting Friends co-ordinator Debbie Beggs has been helping their existing befriending matches cope with lockdown.
Debbie said: “The volunteers and clients have switched to becoming telephone friends during lockdown but some are managing to make short detours on their shopping trips to wave to their friends from outside.
“We think it’s really important to support the volunteers, too, as some of them have also been shielding.
“We are in touch with them regularly to make sure they are OK – and we don’t forget their birthdays!
“As all our regular coffee mornings have had to be cancelled, we can’t wait for the party at the end of all this.”
Visiting Friends will continue to provide these volunteer services for as long as necessary.
If you’d like to volunteer with them or if you or anyone you know needs help with shopping or feeling lonely then please get in touch with either Jayne or Debbie on 0739 631 6503 or 0739 631 6502, or email jayne@visitingfriends.org.
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