Hampstead and Kilburn Covid Community Relief team write:
Hampstead and Kilburn Covid Community Relief is a community led volunteer group operating a buddy system which has been operating on a ‘trust basis’ since the commencement of the government’s lockdown. We match volunteers with people who need assistance with the delivery of essentials such as groceries from supermarkets, collection of prescription medication as well as provide emotional support to tackle the feeling of loneliness resulting from imposed isolation.
Our group was set up by a small team of local residents on 14th March 2020 and quickly amassed over 300 volunteers as the community was keen to support their neighbours and communities during these difficult and uncertain times. We use geolocation which shows us the location of all of our volunteers, this allows us to identify the closest volunteer to anyone contacting us for assistance. We hope by matching people in this way will help to build or strengthen the sense of community/friendship after the crisis is over.
Given the capacity of our volunteers, we felt it was appropriate to reach out to Camden council and offer our assistance. Through discussions with council officers working with the Covid Mutual Aid groups, we are happy the council have now offered us a base in the JW3 community centre. We will start operating a food hub service every Sunday, our volunteers will collect and deliver food parcels which the council receives from the Felix Project to people who are shielding and will continue to do so when the lockdown restrictions are slowly eased.
If you are struggling financially and in need of food parcels, you can email covidcommunityrelief@gmail.com (or: 07384309912).
In addition to this service, we will continue to provide assistance with grocery shopping and collection of prescription medications.
Foodbank running as normal but still needs donations
Chalk Farm Foodbank continues to open its doors each week, staffed by trained volunteers and well attended by people in the community, usually a rolling number of households a week. People may have experienced delay in benefit payments or have to pay a sudden bill. They may be homeless. They may be on a low income or have lost work or income because of the virus.
The Foodbank needs help: each week its stock is running low on basic essentials. Donations enable it to support those who are really struggling to gain access to food. Please donate much-needed items: UHT Milk; tinned meat; long-life juice; chopped tomatoes; toiletries (no blades); household cleaning products. Donation drop days and times are:
Wednesdays 11.30-1 pm
Thursdays 1-2 pm.
At: Chalk Farm Baptist Church Berekly Rd NW1 8YS
Financial donations can be made at: https://chalkfarm.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
Royal Free Charity
For the duration of the crisis, The Royal Free Charity has been providing vital wellbeing support to front-line workers at The Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital to help them get through this most challenging time.
This has included free hot meals and snacks during shifts, as well as respite areas in which they can relax and connect online with family members. In addition, the Charity has provided psychological support to those who have suffered trauma and accommodation for others who cannot go home because of vulnerable family members. The need is still acute and will continue to be for some time. Though we may have just passed the peak of this crisis, local NHS staff still face much hardship ahead. If you want to make a donation, you can visit https://www.royalfreecharity.org/covid19.
Your donation will be allocated to one of the three hospitals.