The Hub based in Budleigh is set up to help improve the health and wellbeing of the communities of Woodbury, Exmouth, Budleigh and surrounding villages. This is quite a wide remit and can encompass many things from exercise classes to facilitating support groups.
During the first lockdown staff and volunteers from the Hub leaped into action providing over 8000 ‘acts of kindness’. This ranged from prescription collection, shopping, cooked meal delivery to telephone befriending.
As lockdown 2 approached we readied ourselves again. We met with other local charities, churches, school, Councils and voluntary groups. We distributed thousands of leaflets and bombarded social media with our offers of help. We were primed for action waiting by the phone. The result…nothing.
Well not quite actually nothing, we have completed about 30 acts such as shopping every week. But that is certainly nothing like we expected. Feeling paranoid and ignored I contacted other similar groups providing Covid support. They too have seen the same drop off in requests for help. At least I know it is not personal! But why? Many businesses have stepped up their game and now provide home delivery may be one reason. Many people now have more opportunities to get help. But my concern is that we are not treating the second lockdown as seriously. Suddenly every journey is essential when before we would have waited.
We know there is a vaccine around the corner but it will still take many many months for us all to be immunised. This will not be over any time soon, unfortunately. Now is not the time to be demob happy.
One element that has sadly continued is some peoples financial decline as job losses rise. Budleigh Salterton Relief in Need has seen demand for their service rise. Thus far, they have given £17,500 to local families to help them through difficult times. They are currently supporting 19 households to keep their heads above water. They need you help to help others. Please visit their fundraising page: www.uk.gofundme.com/f/budleigh-support
108
Volunteers
212
NHS clinics a month
140
Different organisations Seachange
“When you are here at Seachange, people care about your wellbeing and they want to help you. That includes the reception staff, the café, and the managers. It really does make a difference.”