“Caring Together”

Over the last two weeks we have made over 850 phone calls. We have been in contact with over 350 local older residents and responded to a large number of people needing emergency food provisions. We have also been dealing with various other requests such as help with reduced income due to a reduction hours, with prescriptions picking up, registering people online, referring on, supporting families and members, everyday concerns such as not being able to take rubbish out, concerns around paying bills and accessing post offices, and emotional support. And so much more.
.
This can be especially difficult for those who have ongoing mental health and physical well being issues, reduced contact with others, recently lost loved ones, or when families and friends are not able to get to those in isolation or where admitted to hospital, or a care home and so on.
.
We have also been able to share daily information via email, text and our web posts to feel connected, keep well, safe and entertained. Naturally people are connecting which is lovely to hear. And we too have a number of volunteers and members in contact with friends, neighbours and other local older residents via the phone and are currently in the process of linking others as the weeks progress.  This includes some welfare checks by the local community support officers where needed.
.
This is truly a team effort, so thank you to Caring Together staff, members, families, friends, supporters and volunteers and to everyone else out there in the community for making a difference every day, you have all been amazing.

    

I took these pictures of a blossom tree on Servia Hill, in between Woodhouse and Little London, whilst delivering some food. The delicate white flowers were so pretty and captivating.

Today at 2pm: Live – Polar Bears at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

They are closed to the public because of Covid-19 but Yorkshire Wildlife Park plan a live behind the scenes tour so you can meet the Polar Bears, Victor, Pixel, Nissan, Nobby and Rasputin from the comfort of your own home

Follow the link above or search Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Facebook (It’s a public page so you should be able to see it even if you don’t have a facebook account)

TODAY AT 14:00
Project Polar: LIVE
Join us on Facebook LIVE Thursday 2nd April at 14:00 BST as we take you behind-the-scenes to meet the Polar Bears at Yorkshire Wildlife Park! 🤩

New symptom tracking app aims to slow spread of coronavirus

App to monitor the spread of COVID 19

You could help save lives by joining in supporting a really important project to help track the spread of coronavirus.

Please download the King’s College London COVID app to report daily how you’re feeling, and whether you’re unwell or currently fit.

For more information please visit:  https://covid.joinzoe.com/

Great British Home Chorus

British choirmaster, composer and TV presenter, Gareth Malone, has launched an ‘at home’ digital choir to boost the nation’s morale during coronavirus self-isolation.

His heart-warming new initiative, ‘The Great British Home Chorus’, has been designed to bring together both amateur and professional performers around the UK by encouraging them to sing with others online.

The next rehearsal will be at 5.30pm today

You can register here to get all the information, songsheets etc: https://decca.com/greatbritishhomechorus/ (it’s free)

If you don’t want to register but just want to watch (you may feel inspired to sing along 😀) you can see it on you tube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist…

 

‘Plum Tree Blossom’

Special moments captured whilst checking in with members:

“This is a photo is of the plum tree blossom at the Caring Together allotment. I went out for some exercise and potential food supplies. I checked on the rhubarb as thought I might be able to gather some yet it seems to be a bit slow this year. I was told it was because we haven’t had a cold enough winter and it needs cold to trigger good growth as it’s originally from Siberia.  Although everyone knows rhubarb comes from Yorkshire and the rhubarb triangle….!”

Caring Together Member and Volunteer

‘Virtual Party’

‘Virtual Party’

Special moments captured whilst checking in with members:

“It was my friends birthday last week. I managed to get a card to her before the lock down. On the day of her birthday I got up and dressed. I made some food and sat at my table and lit a candle. My friend sat in her home and did the same with her cards around her. We sat and said a virtual cheers to each other. You have to have a laugh in between the gloom”.

Caring Together Member and volunteer