Responding to Covid 19 Pandemic

The message we have all been given by the Archbishops & Bishops is that whilst the church building is closed, the Church, the Body of Christ, is very much still active! Here are some general pointers of things to consider/think about when considering how your church community is best placed to care for and support the wider community, as churches, or personally as members of the Church. These are good practice most of the time, but especially so at present:

1. Find out what others are already doing, and partner with them!

As we know, the Church does not have a monopoly on doing good or caring for others, so work with people across your community, rather than trying to go it alone – no one group can meet every single need in a community, especially not at a time like this, so partner with others.

Council websites are a good places to start, to find out information about changes to the usual services they provide, and to signpost people in need appropriately. Some council websites have specific ways of volunteering in the local community. In addition, there are a number of Mutual Aid WhatsApp groups in both city and county, where you can join with like-minded people in delivering ‘good neighbour scheme’ cards or mutual aid leaflets for people to ask for help, links to some of these can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/289960355307518/post_tags/?post_tag_id=291894545114099

It is important to check offers of help and social media groups carefully before recommending to vulnerable people, as sadly some individuals may try to use the pandemic as an opportunity to take advantage. Where possible, use established contacts.

2. Consider the needs of your local area

Consider what the needs of your local area are, through demographic data, what you come across in your usual interactions in your area or any particular requests for help that you are hearing of at this time:

In some areas, there may be a challenge around the cost of affording food, particularly when non-branded items are unavailable in the supermarkets, or people have to shop in smaller, local shops, which are often more expensive. Consider how you can respond to this (taking into account 1) ), and how you can meet this need safely – if you need information or support, please contact our Development Worker

In other areas, you may have a much higher proportion of the population over 70 or with underlying health conditions, or in single-occupancy households and therefore likely to be self-isolating and/or facing loneliness. If you are unsure where to find demographic information for your area, please contact our Development Worker

In some areas, there may be a challenge around the cost of affording food, particularly when non-branded items are unavailable in the supermarkets, or people have to shop in smaller, local shops, which are often more expensive. Consider how you can respond to this (taking into account 1) ), and how you can meet this need safely – if you need information or support, please contact our Development Worker.

In other areas, you may have a much higher proportion of the population over 70 or with underlying health conditions, or in single-occupancy households and therefore likely to be self-isolating and/or facing loneliness. If you are unsure where to find demographic information for your area, please contact our Development Worker.

Remember Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental Health is also a major concern during this time when there is a general lockdown and many with underlying health condition are being asked to shield or self-isolate for at least 3 months. Many people manage their mental wellbeing by not staying indoors, and often going out more than once a day, so this will be a particular challenge.

Explore whether you can arrange a virtual gathering using ZOOM or similar to support one another.There is support available with how to get started with digital solutions, contact our Development Worker who will point you in the right direction. These solutions may also help with supporting some of those who are over70 or in single occupancy households, although not all will be able to access the technology either due to lack of confidence, or being unable to afford digital access.

The Diocesan Mental Health Working Group is looking to provide a basic signposting leaflet for crisis and urgent Mental Health support to all Diocesan clergy & LLM, so that you are equipped to signpost people to places where they can get trained support. This will be available here and also on the Diocesan website as soon as possible.

Safeguarding

Churches MUST ensure that Safer recruitment and Safeguarding practice is followed. The Diocesan Safeguarding Team have information here on how to ensure this is followed during this time.

Everyone is required to follow Government Guidance, and should only be leaving their home for one of the 4 following reasons:

  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
  • one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
  • any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
  • travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.

Social Distancing & Infection Prevention

It is also essential that Social Distancing and Infection Prevention measures are followed, as below:

  • Keep at least 2m (6 feet) apart from other people, and limit the number of people in a building at a time. If you are running a foodbank or similar, you will need to consider how you will ensure that people are able to follow this, for their & volunteers’ welfare.
  • · Wash hands with soap & hot water, for at least 20 seconds, regularly – particularly before you leave the house, after change of location, after using the toilet, before & after handling food items, when delivering groceries, or posting mutual leaflets through people’s doors (do NOT knock on the door/ring the bell), immediately when you get home.

As Individuals

Volunteer to help the NHS using the official app goodSAM to be a:

  1. Community Response Volunteer – supporting those who are self-isolating by collecting groceries, medication or other essential supplies and delivering to their doorstep.
  2. Patient Transport Volunteer – providing transport to patients who are medically fit for discharge, and ensuring they are settled safely back into their home
  3. NHS Transport Volunteer – transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services & sites, may also involve assisting pharmacies to deliver medication to people’s homes
  4. Check-in and Chat Volunteer – providing short-term telephone support to individuals at risk of loneliness from self-isolation – THIS CAN BE DONE EVEN IF YOU ARE SELF-ISOLATING!

You can sign up online at https://www.goodsamapp.org/nhs

You can also volunteer through Leicester Aging Together via https://www.withami.co.uk/