#Be Kind

Be Kind. A message from your Editor, Hellen

Originally written a few days before print deadline day, this article started off as a lesson in handwashing and preventative measures we can all take to try and thwart the spread of COVID-19. Then the weekend arrived. It’s almost incomprehensible to imagine what can change in the world in just a couple of days. By Monday morning (16th March), as the world watched this unprecedented state of global uncertainty unfold, the advice had changed again. By the time you read this, we are as sure as we can be that the guidance for dealing with it will have been amended, rewritten and altered a number of times. Gatherings and events will almost certainly be cancelled and many more people will be asked to self-isolate. Bearable if you’re in a house with others. You have company (even if it is in the next room). But what about those on their own?

Take my dad for example. At 73, he has been under quarantine since the beginning of March. Not because he is feeling poorly, is coughing or showing any signs of illness. He’s cooped up by himself in his retirement apartment on lockdown because, with stage 4 COPD, a life limiting respiratory illness, his GP advised him to hole up for the duration, limit his contact with family members and keep his distance from others. Put simply, if he contracts COVID-19, the odds are not stacked in his favour. He is willingly staying in. He loves life and wants to see this through so he can get back down to his local, have a pint and reunite with his social circle. Frankly though, just a few weeks into the quarantine period and he’s bored and very lonely. As a family we have put measures into place to ensure he has food and the medication he relies on, but we cant give him the company he so rightly craves. Thank goodness for face time and his love for jigsaw puzzles and snooker on the telly.

With people increasingly staying at home as coronavirus spreads, you might be wondering how you can help those most at risk? Self-isolating, either because you have symptoms or because you are in one of the high risk groups, means you might need others to give you a helping hand. For those who are not over 70 and who do not have underlying health conditions, you can still go out, as long as you take the recommended precautions so think about what you can do for those who can’t. You can also help by donating to food banks, giving blood and supporting small businesses who are under financial pressure. Be kind.

Self-isolation is obviously very lonely so please call anyone you know who is avoiding going out. Offer to factime or Whatsapp video them or play some online games together to help them socialise. Even if you are far away, just having a chat could mean a lot to someone. Facebook groups have been set up across the UK for volunteers to offer help and for those in need to ask for it. Here in this area, we’ve already seen many such groups spring up in the villages we serve, which is great - but village-wide groups may become too large to manage and pleas for assistance may become lost in the noise.

We would suggest joining the village groups by all means, but also consider setting up or joining one for your specific street. Look after your neighbours. Be kind. Of course, if you are volunteering to help anyone, continue to take precautions – only speak to them online or on the phone and leave things outside without making contact if you are delivering to anyone.

BE SOCIALLY CONNECTED

We would also ask you to ensure you’ve liked the Village Eye Facebook page if you haven’t done so already. We will be using this as a HUB page for local village groups in the coming days and weeks and will be asking all of our admins in the various villages we serve to keep our communities updated with any news/ developments on a local level if and when appropriate. We will also be trying our best to keep your spirits up! If you’d like to become a temporary admin in your area, please get in touch. Don’t forget that this magazine is always available online, as are our directories covering Tadley, Baughurst, Burghfield, Burghfield Common, Spencers Wood Three Mike Cross, Theale, Aldermaston, Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet. These directories list helpful local numbers. View all our magazines & directories at: www.villageeye.co.uk

Especially now, please make sure you like us on facebook. We’ll keep you updated /villageeyemagazine

HELLO IT’S ME

Not an Adele track, but a lady called Becky Wass, from Falmouth, Cornwall, who launched an initiative which went viral. A postcard campaign which offers a simple “Hello, what can I do for you?” approach. The idea is that you fill in the blanks and post it through the doors of neighbours who you think may need some assistance in the coming days/weeks months. We’ve printed three here and ask that each and every household fills them in and pops them through doors of those who you feel might be vulnerable at this time. Naturally, we are only advocating that those well enough to do so take part - and that any relevant hygiene precautions are taken before they are distributed. C’mon readers. Share the love. Be kind.

DONATE BLOOD

With people staying home, blood donations are expected to fall and the NHS will still need lots of donors. The NHS says you can keep donating as normal, unless you have travelled to a coronavirus risk area, been in contact with or been infected by the virus. There are currently no confirmed cases of any form of coronavirus being passed on through the donation of substances of human origin such as blood, organs, tissues and stem cells. If you are able to donate blood but haven’t done so before or haven’t done it for a while, now is a good time. Some other ways you can help:

DONATE TO A FOOD BANK

Some food banks are struggling with fewer donations and they are unable to get some staples due to stockpiling. The Trussell Trust said they are also expecting an increase in demand as people may lose income. Check with your local foodbank (find your local one here: www.trusselltrust.org) about what they need. See if there’s some things you can give away that you already have or donate funds if you can. If you see some of the essentials when you are at the shop, add it to your trolley.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

Lots of small businesses are struggling as people are staying home. Try to buy some things online if they offer it or think about buying gift vouchers to use in the future. Do they deliver, can they offer what you need without having to venture too far? Remember without our small businesses (yes us included), the local economy would collapse. Finally, the most important thing you can do is to listen to the guidance and try to protect other people who are more vulnerable. Wash your hands, cover your mouth using your inner elbow when you cough and try not to get too close to prevent the spread. If you experience any symptoms (a cough or a fever), self-isolate for seven days. Call 111 for advice if you’re concerned or 999 in an absolute emergency. Stay well, stay safe. On behalf of the whole VE team and extended family, we send our best wishes to you all - and remember - be kind.

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