News on how Scotland's voluntary sector is responding to the pandemic
Charity distributing computers
People Know How has partnered up with Venture Scotland, Change Recruitment Group and the Taranata Group, Edinburgh Palette, the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Remakery to get computers and internet connection to those who need them during the current coronavirus outbreak.
Just as the UK was going into lockdown a couple of weeks ago, People Know How’s chief executive Glenn Liddall received a generous donation of 12 computers from the University of Edinburgh. The next step after any device donation is to get the computers wiped, refurbished and rebuilt. This is where Edinburgh Remakery came to the rescue, lending a hand by refurbishing each device.
At this point the staff at People Know How were hard at work adapting their services to the new situation. It soon became clear that their one-to-one and group support for children, young people and adults would move towards online and telephone support. The importance of computers suddenly grew tenfold, with devices needed by many of their existing and prospective service users experiencing social isolation, worsened by the current crisis.
Luckily Change Recruitment Group, part of the Taranata Group, became the second organisation to gift People Know How devices. They donated a whopping 79 computers, and Venture Scotland transported them from George Street down to their offices on Ferry Road. At 525 Ferry Road Edinburgh Palette welcomed the organisations with open arms, offering the use of the building and its spacious open plan areas as a computer refurbishing base.
With a total of 91 donated computers donated so far, and People Know How’s doors open to further donations, this group of organisations are now in the process of refurbishing for distribution to those in need. With Venture Scotland ready to deliver the computers to doorsteps, they’re identifying members of the community who will most benefit from what they can offer.
Show goes on for theatre
Theatre Nemo has been at the forefront of providing high-quality, participatory arts activities, which support people in recovery from poor mental health for over 20 years.
The charity has pioneered work with children and families of prisoners, young carers, schools, adults in psychiatric units, prisoners, and people of all ages in communities.
Due to the current guidelines on reducing contact, it has taken steps to move its community services to an online format.
The theatre has created Facebook or Zoom groups for each of our sessions, guitar, drama, Japanese craft and visual art. These closed groups provide a safe and private online community with activities being delivered through live videos.
As these groups are private, in order to access them people will need to request to join by emailing hugh@theatrenemo.org
Care charity delivers food
Wheatley has delivered more than 1600 emergency food parcels to vulnerable customers in the past two weeks.
An army of staff at the Group’s EatWell service, which has expanded 600% in the last fortnight, is delivering food parcels from Dumfries and Galloway to Glasgow and across to Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Wheatley has plans to inject a further £350,000 into the service and to mobilise even more staff and vehicles to support the huge expansion of the emergency service.
As well as food to last a family a week - for periods up to six weeks - the deliveries by EatWell staff and colleagues drafted in from other Wheatley services, the parcels also contain essential household items like toilet roll and washing-up liquid.
Wheatley Group comprises GHA, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership, Dunedin Canmore, Cube, Loretto Housing, West Lothian Housing Partnership and Barony.
GHA tenant and army veteran, Joe Stevenson (92), from Cardonald, Glasgow, said: “I can’t leave the house, so the food parcels are a big help to me. I really appreciate it. It shows GHA really cares and that they are really looking out for us.”
If you are a third sector organisation or you want to help others in the community, check out SCVO's Coronavirus Community Assistance Director
