Coronavirus: Community groups work together to help elderly and vulnerable in Eastbourne

Coronavirus support groups have formed in Eastbourne to help the elderly and vulnerable in self-isolation amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Three people from Eastbourne have dedicated themselves to their communities in the last week to offer support to the vulnerable by dropping round leaflets, food supplies, essentials and letters to people’s homes and also providing social contact through telephone calls.

Nikki Brown, from Hampden Park, created the volunteer-run Helping The Elderly And Vulnerable During Coronavirus Outbreak Eastbourne Facebook group, which is now ran by a host of people, after thinking of ways to help.

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Nikki said, “We are trying to help as many people as we can really. I started it because I didn’t know any elderly people locally so I thought ‘how can I help?’ I didn’t plan on it being as big as it is, there’s now about 1,100 members.

Coronavirus EMN-200317-143838001Coronavirus EMN-200317-143838001
Coronavirus EMN-200317-143838001

“We were saying there is elderly people on their own that might go the whole 12 weeks without contact. We are offering phone calls and shopping services for the elderly and vulnerable.

“The problem we are having is reaching the people that aren’t on Facebook, I’d ask them to get in touch with the local councillor to help, who we are also working with. I just hate the thought of people being completely on their own.”

Nikki said the reaction to the group has been ‘positive’ and ‘overwhelming’. She said, “I’ve found it all really humbling. Seeing everybody pulling together and helping people.

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“I think everyday we are getting bad news but this highlights the goodness of human nature. That’s what it’s all about really.

Nikki BrownNikki Brown
Nikki Brown

“A lot of people don’t want to ask for help, there is a shame connected to asking, but that is the whole point of the group, to just ask. I think everyone is generally overwhelmed with the kindness.”

Ashleigh Johnson-Bellamy, from Leaf Road, is also helping her area by dropping round leaflets to people’s homes offering to help with supplies, post letters and pick up prescription medication.

Ashleigh said, “It is terrifying, they need security. Some people do not have families and some do not talk to people for months at a time.

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“Knowing there is someone at the other end of the phone is really important. Community is also massively important, and this needs to be done. We are here to help, especially for the elderly.”

Matt ThompsonMatt Thompson
Matt Thompson

Ashleigh said there is about 60 houses in her area where she has delivered leaflets to.

Matt Thompson, from Stone Cross and director at Home Sweet Home estate agents, came up with the idea to start a community Facebook page after his friend was struggling to get calpol for their child.

Matt said, “There’s so much aggro going on I basically set up a Facebook page. My friend had asked me to get Calpol for their child but there was none in the store. A girl who works with me had a few bits and pieces so I put them in touch. That was on a small scale so I thought we could do it on a bigger scale.

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“The response from the general public has been absolutely amazing, it’s given me faith in humanity. It is nice to see some positive stuff happen. The whole country are all in the same boat, we need to join together.”

Matt said the page, which is called Coronavirus Supplies Shortages Donations 2020, grew quickly with 4,000 members joining in 48 hours, and has even reached as far as Australia.

The page is a place for people to swap and donate different essential items during the pandemic.

Matt said, “It has literally grown and grown. The power of social media is ridiculous in these kind of events. It is extremely helpful. I honestly did not think it would be anything like this.”

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• Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an illness which affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms are a high temperature and continuous cough.

• NHS advice is to regularly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. • If you live alone, stay at home for seven days if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

• If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

• Call 111 if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your symptoms get worse.