More volunteers needed as calls to Bristol lockdown helpline surge
Good samaritans are needed to help people with things like shopping, tech support and dog walking
A helpline that aims to support vulnerable people in Bristol through the pandemic says its in urgent need of more volunteers,
The We Are Bristol helpline says its received a surge in calls since the new lockdown started.
They need people to help residents with shopping, picking up prescriptions or befriending people in isolation, as well as tech support and help with dog walking.
Volunteers are needed across the city in 20 different areas including Avonmouth, Brenty, Central Bristol, Hartcliffe, Knowle and Southmead.
Volunteers who can speak in Somali, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Chinese or Kurdish, as well as people who can sign in British Sign Language, are also urgently required.
Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, Equalities and Public Health, said: “Now, more than ever, a little help can go a long way.
"During the lockdown period, we’re all asked to stay at home and minimise social contact to protect Bristol from COVID-19 – but for many people, this is having a detrimental impact on their day to day lives.
“While we really must follow the guidelines and stay at home, it is permitted to leave in order to provide vital voluntary support.
"Our Can Do Bristol volunteers play an integral role in our city, going above and beyond to support Bristol’s communities, and we need more people to sign up to ensure no one is left struggling alone."
Darin Hedges, Citizen Service Manager at We Are Bristol, said: “As expected, we are receiving increased calls for help through the We Are Bristol helpline under the new lockdown restrictions.
"For those who are at high risk from coronavirus, and considered ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ by the National Health Service, staying at home is vital to their safety, but realistically poses a risk of loneliness and an impact on their mental health.
“We’re proud to have had over 600 volunteers give up their time to help since the first lockdown in March, and now need to recruit more local people who can spare a few hours and make a huge difference to people’s lives."
You can sign up online through the Can Do Bristol website at https://candobristol.co.uk/activity/c19-winter.