COVID-19 community support groups are springing up across the County, and it’s fantastic to see the cohesion and collaboration between local groups and individuals, town and parish councils and churches.
Some support is very local, covering one or two streets or a small neighbourhood, and some are working across whole towns.
The majority of support groups are helping people by shopping, collecting prescriptions, going to the Post Office, walking dogs, and making phone calls. It will be an evolving picture over the coming weeks.
Here are some examples of good practice that we are aware of in Somerset. If you’re involved with a group, please let us know what’s working well for you by emailing support@sparksomerset.org.uk. This could be really helpful to us, and other groups.
Somerton Town Council have teamed up with Churches Together and Somerton Good Neighbours to form Somerton Community Lifeline, and have made available £1000 initially. They are accepting bank payments from those receiving help and refunding the volunteers, so that no cash need change hands. They have also adopted a Petty Cash Policy for their volunteers. Visit https://somertontowncouncil.gov.uk/somerton-town-council-covid-19/.
Glastonbury Coronavirus Support Network are working with Glastonbury Town Counci to recruit volunteers and offer support. They have set up a new website and also a Facebook group. Like many groups across Somerset, they have leafleted every house in the town with their contact details and the Deputy Mayor made a YouTube video.
Bruton Town Council are coordinating a range of services for people who are self-isolating, including Bruton Telephone Buddies, where members of St Mary’s church are calling people who are feeling anxious and lonely.
Wells Coronavirus Network is a group of Wells-based community organisations working together to help coordinate a community response. They include the Elim Connect Centre, Neighbourhood Watch, Sustainable Wells, Wells Community Notice Board Facebook page, Burcott Road Residents Association, Project Factory CIC and members of Wells City and Mendip District Councils. They are currently setting up a number of neighbourhood support groups with co-ordinators and starting WhatsApp groups in each area for residents to keep in touch and keep an eye on neighbours who are alone and not able to access social media.
West Somerset Citizen Advice at Minehead has set up a calling circle with local student counsellors and volunteers and are in touch with some of the most vulnerable in the area. They are also providing food boxes and deliveries. They are looking to supplement food boxes with fresh food.
Carey Cares is a partnership between Churches Together in Castle Cary and Ansford, Castle Cary Town Council, and Millbrook Surgery. They are working together to support the residents of Castle Cary and surrounding area and have produced this helpful leaflet.