Huge response as volunteers sign up to help during crisis

Thousands of people have volunteered to help the most vulnerable members of the community make it through the coronavirus emergency safe.

Westmeath County Council is co-ordinating the newly established Covid-19 Community Response Forum, which brings together voluntary organisations and state agencies to provide a range of practical supports for elderly people and other vulnerable groups who have been forced to cocoon in recent weeks.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, council official Barry Kehoe said that although medical experts predict that the crisis will escalate in the coming weeks, he is sure that the forum and its “thousands” of volunteer helpers will be able to meet the needs of local people.

“There is a huge voluntary good will out there and I have no doubt that the resources are there to meet the demand, whatever the demand is from vulnerable people who have a genuine need. That demand will be met.”

While the council are overseeing the overall operation, it will largely be voluntary organisations such as GAA clubs and IFA branches that will organise things at a community level and carry out tasks such as collecting shopping or medication, or providing transport to medical appointments. Support will also be provided for people who may be experiencing social isolation.

Each volunteer will be paired with one person, who they will support throughout the crisis.

“It’s not just a once off its ongoing support. Once someone is tasked with helping a particular person they will continue to help that person until this thing is over. It’s not just one delivery for them and then they’re gone. It will be a regular thing and will be in regular contact with the person to support them,” Mr Kehoe said.

“Volunteers will be issued with guidance and have to follow HSE guidelines on hygiene and social distancing. They will also be given guidance on how to engage with the people they are helping. They make sure to call in advance and make an appointment. You don’t cold-call on vulnerable people – you introduce yourself and have some form of ID.

“They will also be advised on how to handle medication and the precautions they have to take. It’s practical guidance to ensure that things are done right and especially to ensure the vulnerable people are protected and not put at risk.”

The council have allocated a large number of staff to provide organisational support and to man the forum phone lines, which are open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week throughout the emergency.

Mr Kehoe says that it has been heartening to see the response from the voluntary groups and individuals from throughout the county.

“I’s a changed society in a lot of ways, in some ways for the better – people have reappraised what is important to them. At the end of the day they value their communities, their families, their friends, their neighbours more than anything else and that is what’s coming through now.

They do want to look after their neighbours and friends in this time of need.”

The organisations involved in the Westmeath Forum include: An Post, Westmeath County Council, the IFA, ALONE, the Department of Social Protection, An Garda Síochána, Scouts Ireland, St Vincent de Paul, Westmeath Community Development, Local Link, PPN, Irish Rural Link, Westmeath GAA, the HSE, the Age Friendly Alliance and the Civil Defence.

The Westmeath Covid-19 Community Response Forum can be contacted on the freephone number 1800 805 816, seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.