Communities respond to Covid
Villages throughout the Park Life area responded quickly and positively to help neighbours and friends manage the impact of Covid-19.
At the start of social distancing two young girls in Drymen came up with a plan to deliver shopping to vulnerable neighbours, whilst Amanda Reid set up a Facebook page to provide emotional support for residents in the village. Within hours an army of volunteers had formed a joint group to support Drymen, Croftamie and Buchanan through the crisis.
Currently there are 120 volunteers, carrying out many essential services, such as twice weekly food deliveries from the Village Shop, Spar Shop, butcher and Aldi. As well as delivering food the volunteers provide much needed emotional support to residents.
Communication has been strong, with a new website introduced (drymensupport.co.uk) and a booklet to explain about the support available.
The group successfully applied for some Government grants. One of these allowed them to provide internet access and equipment for those who previously relied on the local library to get on-line.
Some of the £1,800 raised so far through donations to the groups Go Fund Me page has been used to purchase food supplies for those in financial difficulty. It is anticipated that more funds will be needed to continue this in the months to come so the group is keeping their appeal open for donations.
Comments from local residents include:
Agnes McQueen -Croftamie "I have found the service invaluable as I am stuck at home. They are supporting me by delivering my weekly shopping."
A Drymen Resident “I am staying indoors so very much welcome the service. The delivery people are friendly and polite and doing a great service for the villages. Thank you to the village shops for their hard work too!"
Rosie Allan – Buchanan "We greatly appreciate all the help we have been given by our local volunteers who so kindly bring us shopping and go that extra mile with a smile. Haven't we got such a great community, thank you, thank you!”
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we spoke to one of the groups organisers Louise Macfarlane who told us that their work is far from over.
‘There has been a nervousness from some of the people that we are supporting that these services will end. We have reassured them that this is not the case and are aware of many who will find the coming months very difficult financially and emotionally.
We have a fantastic support network in place, and everything is completely confidential so don’t sit hungry, worried or embarrassed in these unusual times. Let us help you.
Similar good work is happening across all of the Park Life are towns and villages. As well as the much-needed practical support it’s the emotional support that is proving to be such a vital component for resilience within the communities.
Small and large acts of kindness have helped many residents through this very difficult time.
If you have a story about your community that you would like featured in a future edition of Park Life Magazine please email katrina@parklifescotland.co.uk