How organisations across the country are responding to Covid-19
Supporting the community during lockdown
Community development charity, BCDC, has received praise for their ongoing support to at risk and vulnerable community members, and other community focused businesses and groups during lockdown.
Working with and for residents in Barmulloch and Ward 17 in North East Glasgow, BCDC is dedicated to improving quality of life for all residents through proactive community development.
Having been featured in Communities Channel Scotland for their quick and dynamic response to the outbreak, BCDC have continued to develop reactionary services which respond to the changing needs of local residents and groups.
Eight weeks ago, with funding from Foundation Scotland and Enterprising Provan Fund, BCDC was able to set up a Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Service. The phone-based service acts as a lifeline for local residents who might be struggling during lockdown and have nowhere else to turn.
More recently, BCDC have been able to introduce food share provision 2 days a week from their community owned Recreation Hall in Barmulloch. The charity has also supported other local organisations with funding and gaining access to technology.
Check before you drop off donations
Members of the public are being encouraged to call ahead and check if their local Revolve certified second hand store is open and able to accept donations of re-usable items in the weeks ahead.
While second hand shops in England can reopen from the 15 June, all re-use and charity stores in Scotland currently remain closed in line with government guidance, with the exception of those supplying bikes. All will be unable to receive items at this time.
Awarded by Zero Waste Scotland, the Revolve certification is Scotland’s guarantee for pre-loved items and gives shoppers the confidence that they will receive quality products and excellent customer service. All stores meet strict safety and hygiene standards.
When Scottish stores are given the green light to reopen, people are being asked to check in with their local Revolve certified shop for details on the type and volume of donations they can accept and when.
It is anticipated that a number of stores will be at their capacity with stock before donations resume post-lockdown. However, other stores within the network will gratefully receive donations of quality second hand goods following the lengthy closure.
Miriam Adcock, consumer re-use spokesperson for Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We want to make sure as many donations as possible can be given a new home and nothing is wasted. By checking in with your nearest store you can be sure they will be in a position to process and resell your items.
“All of our stores are looking forward to welcoming back customers when the time is right. We’re keen to highlight that while stores in England may reopen, the majority of shops in Scotland will still be closed for the time being.”
Communities still need donations
Members of the public and businesses are being urged to continue donating essential food and supplies to help vulnerable people throughout Scotland as the impact of the Covid-19 remains prevalent across the country.
Royal Bank of Scotland has been welcoming donations at its Gogarburn headquarters in Edinburgh since Scotland’s lockdown began in March – partnering with Social Bite, FairShare and Trussell Trust to ensure donations reach those most in need.
Since opening, Gogarburn’s catering provider, Baxter Storey, has donated over 150 meals a day to Social Bite and supplied 1,500 meals each evening to NHS Lothian staff. The distribution team has also received contributions from Royal Bank of Scotland’s agricultural customers which have allowed Baxter Storey to donate over 30,000 portions of soup to vulnerable people.
The centre has also co-ordinated the distribution of 123,000 Bookbug early years education packs. The packs were donated by the Scottish Book Trust and given to schools and social work departments in Scotland’s most deprived areas, as well as to families supported by Social Bite.
Despite seeing such a response from staff, customers and members of the public, the Gogarburn distribution centre remains in need of donations to meet demand and has partnered with Social Bite to provide household essentials and furniture required to reopen a homeless shelter in Glasgow.
Those looking to donate to the shelter can purchase much needed essentials including bedding and towels via an Amazon wish list, with the Gogarburn distribution centre welcoming drop-offs of items such as second-hand TVs and duvets.
Essential furniture and household items needed at Social Bite’s Glasgow shelter can be purchased via an Amazon Wish List.
Lottery boosts support for care organisations
With money raised by The Health Lottery, People’s Health Trust has funded 86 projects, granting over £3,572,068 to directly support carers.
The trust, which distributes money raised by The Health Lottery, has said that the situation facing Britain’s carers is dire and has only been exacerbated by Covid-19. Recent findings from Carers UK show an estimated 4.5 million people in the UK have become unpaid carers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. When combined with the 9.1 million unpaid carers who were already caring before the outbreak, it means that around one in five people across the UK are now classified as unpaid carers.
The trust’s Nicola Brian said: “Covid-19 has really hit our carers hard. Figures from organisations like Carers UK show the magnitude of the crisis that the sector faces and we all need to do our bit. The trust places a huge emphasis on combatting mental health and social isolation. Carers are on the frontline of this work and we are delighted to be able to support Britain’s carers in this way.”
