Lancaster and Morecambe volunteers provide lifeline during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown

Hundreds of established volunteers have been joined by recruits stepping up to the mark for the first time.

Volunteers have joined organisations including food banks and food clubs, community centres, the city council, county council, local NHS, universities, peer support organisations, disability support groups, neighbourhood watch groups, churches and other faith organisations.

“Volunteers have been vital,” said Yak Patel, Lancaster District CVS chief officer.

“Without them people would have gone hungry, gone without life-saving medications and seen their mental and physical wellbeing decline significantly. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that volunteers have saved lives.”

LDCVS joined with the city council and other groups to co-ordinate the volunteer effort locally. With almost 50 years' experience of supporting volunteers, they could ensure appropriate information and resources were available.

LDCVS have so far registered more than 800 people, making referrals for more than half. It’s thought that the same number of people again have volunteered locally with other organisations.

Just a few weeks into lockdown, CVS partnered with Hope Church on the Lancaster District Support Line which has dealt with more than 1,000 tasks, delivering shopping, food and medication to residents.

A Facebook appeal led to around 1,500 potential volunteers and they were matched with people who self-referred or were referred by the city council.

“A good thing that has come out of lockdown is it has forced organisations, churches and businesses to innovate,” said Hope Church outreach worker, Jamie Haxby.

Lockdown has been particularly difficult for people with health issues such as those who would normally attend Headway Lancaster and Morecambe Bay which supports head injuries survivors, their families and friends.

The group, which has 35 members, would usually enjoy monthly drop-ins and social events.

Headway also has an allotment at Dorrington Road and has received a Covid-19 grant for an accessible loo there. The group provides free membership of Lancaster’s 3-1-5 gym too and has organised trips to the Calvert Trust in Keswick.

“Lockdown has been devastating for us but we’ve launched a virtual buddy system where each committee member checks on members to see if they need any shopping, medical help or just for a chat, “ said vice-chair Angela Sumner, who joined Headway in 2017 after her brother suffered a stroke.

Headway have also started a WhatsApp group with allotment updates and one member has posted videos of lockdown walks. Members have been encouraged to share their feelings and activities during the pandemic and 315 gym has provided video sessions.

Like many charities, Headway’s fundraising efforts have stopped during lockdown but electronic devices have been donated to help their virtual contact with members and they would welcome more volunteers. Anyone who can help should ring 07947 342425 or email [email protected].

Volunteers and staff at Morecambe-based Wise Up Workshops CIC have found many ways to keep their members entertained during lockdown.

The Community Interest Company provides inclusive creative activities to promote health, well-being and confidence across the generations and has between 250-300 participants.

The weekend before lockdown, Wise Up presented Oliver at The Platform and they’ve not allowed the pandemic to stop them performing.

“In the early days of lockdown we wondered how we could continue face- to- face contact but it’s been remarkable,” said Jo Gibson, volunteer and Wise Up director.

Weekly rehearsals for Storyland have taken place over Zoom in the hope that the production can go ahead during the summer. There’s been virtual talent contests and young people have been challenged to produce a piece of weekly drama on different themes.

Wise Up also have a virtual gardening club where members can post pictures and videos of their garden makeovers and plants.

The staff and five volunteers have kept in regular phone contact with participants and provided wellbeing boxes and food parcels where required.

“Some of the people we work with live on their own and we’re the only contact they have but the activities we’ve organised have been great fun and people look forward to them,” said Jo.

The importance of volunteers has been recognised by Lancaster City Council leader, Coun Erica Lewis.

“The partnership between Lancaster District CVS, Hope Church and Lancaster City Council in recruiting and mobilising volunteers has been vital to supporting vulnerable people locally,” she said.

“While we’re moving into the next phase of the pandemic, we still have lots of people needing support and we’re hoping to find ways to keep volunteers engaged and active across the district.”