Key worker kindness campaign launched after inspiration from Salisbury student nurse
It's hoped it will help boost spirits as the pandemic continues
Last updated 10th Feb 2021
A non-profit organisation in Salisbury have launched an 'Acts of Appreciation' campaign to support frontline workers.
Wessex Community Action want to encourage people to do something for their key workers friends, family or neighbours.
Whether people work in the NHS, shops, transport, schools, refuse collection, postal service or councils, everyone could do with a bit of a boost right now.
CEO Amber Skyring wants us to show those important people that they are appreciated, especially in this difficult time:
"It could be baking them a cake, delivering some flowers, fruit and vegetables or a home-made card or just offering to wash their car or help in their garden.
We don't have to make a special trip, just drop by while out on a walk or on the way to the shop. I think it is terribly important to show people working through the pandemic that we care. I know people who work in supermarkets who have been abused and it is just not on."
INSPIRED BY SALISBURY NURSE
The idea came to Wessex Community Action after a phone call from the dad of a student nurse at Salisbury District Hospital.
22 year old Laura Morrow, who studies at Bournemouth University, has been working throughout this pandemic and has noticed that this wave has taken it's toll on a lot of NHS staff.
She said:
"Everyone's morale has been so low lately. Usually we get left lots of sweets and things by visitors and that is a bit of a pick-me-up but because visitors aren't allowed we don't get any of that and those little things can mean quite a lot.
It would be so nice for all of the staff here for people to do something for them that reminds them they care. And it isn't just NHS staff, there are people who don't even get thought about, like the binmen who have been working all this time, postmen and shop workers. They have been so underappreciated.
The last year for me has been a weird one, so I’ve worked at the hospital more than I usually would, I have a bank contract there as healthcare assistant so I’ve been doing a lot more of that so through March to about May/June I was there and I’ve been on placements in between all over the hospital but the last month or so I’ve been on a new placement and obviously with this new wave it’s worse than I’ve ever seen it throughout the last year."
Laura said the NHS felt appreciated during the clap for carers last year, and they need this kind of boost again:
"It brought everyone together behind the NHS and felt like everyone was in it together and were following the rules because they cared about saving lives," she said. "But it's a bit different now and it feels like attitudes have changed. It felt then like we were all in together rather than us fighting everyone's war."
CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
Wessex Community Action have received some support for the campaign.
Wiltshire High Sheriff Ashley Truluck has said the organisation do some important work, including this new idea:
"I have always felt Wessex Community Action does a wonderful job and this latest initiative is a lovely idea. It's an opportunity for people in the community to show their appreciation for the NHS and key workers.
All those unsung heroes who do such wonderful work to keep us all safe keep the country going deserve our thanks an appreciation."
Meanwhile, Salisbury MP John Glen is also backing the campaign and is calling on all of his constituents to support Wessex Community Action's work.
You can find out more about Acts of Appreciation by visiting their website.