Phone line and teddy bears

Dear neighbours

I hope you are well and finding a new rhythm of life in these strange times.

I’m emailing to introduce the wonderful Kate who has joined the community group team.  Her work have given her time each week to volunteer, and handily for us she lives in Abbotts Barton!  We are using Kate’s time to launch a phone line for those in Abbotts Barton who aren’t online.  See our new leaflet with details of the phone number and other sources of help (thanks Jane).  The council phone lines are routing requests in Abbotts Barton to us, so having our own number will save pressure on those services. We’re also aware that our current system relies on people not losing a slip of paper they may have had several weeks ago.  These can get lost or fail to register with those who are confused.  Hopefully putting the phone number on the noticeboards will help reach some of these people.  Our street volunteers have reported tearful phone calls from elderly people who were unsure how they were going to get food, so we know there is a need out there. 

Here’s a few ways you can help:

1. Help us get news of the phoneline to anyone you think might not be online, by spreading the word and perhaps putting it up in your window.
2. Get in touch with your street volunteer to offer to help with any requests.  Some volunteers are doing 40+ properties or several streets.
3. Put a note offering support through the doors of a few people in your street, particularly those you think might be elderly or vulnerable.
4. Set up a street WhatsApp group to help ensure all the houses are covered.  (These are also really useful for sharing food orders if someone is able to get an online slot.)  See a couple of leaflet options here and here.  If you don’t have a printer, hand-written notes are fine or get in touch with Kate (via info@abbottsbarton.org.uk) if you’d like some printed.

Thanks for your attention folks!

Best wishes

Lynne

Chair of Abbotts Barton Community Group.

p.s. if you have a teddy you could put in the window, those of us with small children would love to have a new thing to look out for on our allowed daily walk.