Exeter Community Wellbeing – here for each other
Published: 1 May 2020
We are now five weeks into ‘lockdown’. It’s not easy, but we are making a huge collective impact with social distancing and isolating. We think it’s a good time to share some stories from Exeter communities and celebrate the magnificent spirit people are showing at a local level during this global crisis.
Community response at speed
It’s encouraging to see that so many people have accessed the Exeter Community Wellbeing service since it went live, only 48 hours after lockdown was announced. The service, which you can contact by phone or online (see below), connects volunteers with those who are in need of extra support during these challenging times.
We’ve been sharing the phone number, website and Facebook page through every means possible and it’s amazing that so many of you have been sharing this too, thank you. As of the beginning of this week, a total of 704 volunteers, some representing organised groups, have offered their time. The service has made over 1,500 connections so far, putting vulnerable people in our community in touch with those who can help.
The hotline has been staffed by members of different departments, redeployed to put as much weight as possible behind the effort, and co-ordinated by a newly formed team including Wellbeing Exeter partners led by Devon Community Foundation, Exeter Community Initiatives and Exeter City Council. Funding partners include Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and Sport England. The service has even had calls from concerned relatives many miles away, who we have been able to reassure within 24hrs that their loved ones were now connected with a volunteer and receiving support and supplies.
Support is at hand
There are more people out there who may still need support, though. We are reaching out over the coming days with 13,000 personal letters and information leaflets based on data newly released to Exeter Community Wellbeing from Devon County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. Another wave of 10,000 leaflets, being distributed by Community Builders, local volunteers and community Pharmacists, are already dropping on doormats. We’ve put adverts in local shops and supermarkets and on our refuse lorries, too – you can give those keyworkers a wave while you’re jotting down the phone number! Everyone in the community is doing an amazing job pointing those in need in the right direction. Please keep sharing Exeter Community Wellbeing’s details far and wide.
Volunteer champions
The past few weeks have seen a massive social movement, showing the exemplary level of compassion and generosity in our communities. The amount of time, effort and thought going into assisting our neighbours is awe inspiring.
One of the volunteers at Pinhoe Community Support Group, David King, has clocked over 100 miles on his bike delivering food and medicines. David is something of a hero in the Pinhoe area, spending most of his free time volunteering. It’s not clear if David has yet reached the same celebrity status as Noddy the Tortoise, who is receiving lettuce and dandelion leaf food parcels from local children.
Education is continuing regardless of this crisis. The Broadfields area has been graced with a pop up library on the street (with instructions about safe sharing) and in Duryard a resident has been using their printer to produce worksheets for local home-schoolers.
A volunteer from Wonford said that being asked by a Community Builder to pick up a prescription for someone had “really given him a lift” after feeling frustrated by social isolation. Community Builders are part of Wellbeing Exeter and work in the community to support residents to turn their ideas in to action in partnership with Community Connectors, who support individuals referred by their GPs who could benefit from being better connected to people and groups close by that can help with mental and physical wellbeing.
One Exeter resident has started putting her rabbit in a run in the front garden and the postman stopped to have a chat with the pet. Postal workers have also been playing noughts and crosses with residents on signs left out to thank them, and an art club in the St. Thomas area has joined in with chalking rainbows on pavements while out delivering food and craft packs to help keep children occupied during lockdown.
In St. James, there has been a hum of sewing machines and clack of knitting needles as residents make scrubs and facemask converter headbands for our local key workers. Sonya Ellis, who has been coordinating this effort along with other initiatives such as physical activity boxes and craft packs, said: “There are lots of amazing people doing lots of different things. It’s about looking after people’s mental health and wellbeing too, that’s the big driver.”
It was discovered through the Wellbeing network that there is an Exeter resident who is deaf and has learning difficulties, so can’t talk on the phone or by text. Very quickly, the local Community Builder found someone who could speak in sign language and they have set up video calls so the man has someone to talk to on a regular basis.
A volunteer in St Loyes decided on a whim to pick up a rhubarb and strawberry cake from St. Leonard’s Bakery and deliver it along with a prescription for a lady who was isolating. Heartwarmingly, they have arranged to meet up when it is safe again, so the lady can repay the cake with a big hug!
While we are on the subject of cakes, Karen Roast from Alphington bakes a cake for the Alphington Spar shop every week to thank them for their hard work. Karen said: “I love doing my small bit for the Alphington community.” Karen also helps out her neighbours with shopping, delivering newspapers, picking up prescriptions, putting washing out and cooking for neighbours.
Be proud
Across the wider City of Exeter, our community response is a beacon. Volunteers have been putting themselves at greater risk in order to help those more vulnerable than themselves and to support all keyworkers and our unwavering NHS and Care staff.
What incredible achievements we are capable of when we mobilise as a community in the face of a crisis. We are proud to be a part of the Exeter community and we will continue to do everything we can to support and serve you. Have hope, Exeter; we are standing, sitting, cycling, baking, crafting, delivering and getting through this together.
To volunteer your time or to request support, get in touch with Exeter Community Wellbeing:
Call 01392 265000. Lines are open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 12 midday
For more information visit https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/community-safety/coronavirus/exeter-community-wellbeing/