I am very pleased to be writing this story, as it should be the beginning of a really positive change in East Dunbartonshire.
Back in late March / early April in the first days of COVID-19 lockdown, groups of volunteers started to assemble and organise to deliver shopping and prescriptions to people who were self-isolating or shielding. One such group was G66 Covid Response, covering the Kirkintilloch and Lenzie area.
As we move out of lockdown and more people are able to leave the house safely and taking all the sensible precautions, there is less demand for the volunteer service. However, there is still demand for the service from some of the most vulnerable people in the community, and also people who have been told to shield or self-isolate.
That is why I was so delighted last week to meet up virtually with Lynne from the G66 Covid Response group, to talk about their plans to become a permanent incorporated organisation, and to provide their service on an ongoing basis:
The G66 Covid Response volunteers can provide:
- Shopping service.
- Prescription delivery.
- Light gardening.
- Driver Support for GP / Hospital appointments.
- One-to-one buddy support.
- Friendly phone support.
They have also expanded their remit to cover Lennoxtown and Milton-of-Campsie as well as Kirkintilloch and Lenzie. G66 Covid Response now has its own phone number 0141 280 9527, and you can find them on Facebook.
But what about the rest of East Dunbartonshire? For the moment you can still call OPAL on 0141 438 2347 and we can get volunteer shopping and prescription deliveries for you across all of East Dunbartonshire. In the longer term, there are plans afoot to create two similar volunteer groups covering Bearsden and Milngavie, and Bishopbriggs and Auchinairn (and hopefully the villages too!).
So if you need shopping or prescription delivery and you live in the G66 area – call G66 Covid Response. If you live in the rest of East Dunbartonshire – call OPAL.
And please, please call if you would like to volunteer!
