NEWSLETTER 1 • 6TH MAY 2020
HELPING HANDS PENARTH'S COVID-19 SUPPORT GROUP
HELLO EVERYONE! Welcome to our very first Helping Hands Penarth newsletter! Firstly, a message of thanks to all of you lovely volunteers that have rallied together in these difficult times. It has been truly amazing to see this group grow, community relations strengthen and kindness spread throughout Penarth. As it stands, we have just under 500 amazing volunteers, of which some are Welsh speaking and communicate in BSL! The aim of this newsletter is to share all the work you have been doing, whether that be helping with small daily tasks or a friendly call to check on someone- it is all massively appreciated by everyone! We would also like to make everyone aware of our new card reader that we have had for a couple of weeks. This means that if anyone isolating needs shopping and isn't able to pay directly to our wonderful local shops in Penarth, we now have a safe and easy alternative. If you need to use this please contact our admin team (at the bottom of the page).
"alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much." HELEN KETTER
Finally, a development that we are in the process of working on is an activity bank- filled with jigsaws, books, magazines & DVDs. It would involve setting up a box outside someone's house who would have to store and manage it safely. If you are interested or have any ideas, please contact our Admin Team. A final HUGE thank you again- this group wouldn't be possible without the kind hearts in Penarth. I look forward to updating you again in our next newsletter on the amazing progress & news in this group.
MEET OUR ADMIN TEAM
Kathryn & Anthony Growing up in Penarth I always enjoyed the close community feel. When COVID-19 began to spread I was worried about the most vulnerable in Penarth. Since setting up the group, the help from local residents has been totally amazing- it's all down to you guys! Thank you!
Michael I initially joined this group as it seemed like a great way to support those in need. Since then it's been humbling to see the strong community spirit and amazing to meet so many people every day.
Rebecca
Zoya
I am Rebecca, I heard Kathryn had set up the group, thought it was a really lovely idea and wanted to do my bit to help out.
I have just finished Year 13 at Stanwell. I joined Helping Hands because wanted to give back to the community I have always grown up with. It's incredible seeing such a diverse group come together and unite.
CARE HOMES IN PENARTH Recently within Helping Hands we have been extending our aid to some of the most vulnerable within Penarth's care homes after hearing how they were struggling. We started out by turning to a fantastic group called Cardiff & Vale COVIF-19 Support for Care Homes. From here, we were able to gather two amazing volunteers (thank you Lynne & Tecca!) to call all the care homes in Penarth. We managed to coordinate supplying PPE (thank you Elena & Scrub A Dub Dub Penarth). As well as this, we were able to supply basic food & drink supplies- and even some bunting for a party! Thank you to everyone who donated and delivered these supplies- it has had a huge positive impact. In addition to this, among the various supplies, we were able to distribute PPE provided by St David's College. They were able to donate just under 150 surgical masks and visors.
Donations at Marie Curie
"St David's Sixth Form College is delighted to be able to support Marie Curie Hospice. Providing refreshments for patients and frontline staff is a small gesture to recognise and show our appreciation for the wonderful work of Marie Curie. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time".
ourt C l e r o at M Donations
- Lisa Newman, Deputy Head of St David's College
HELPING HANDS IN NUMBERS Some figures below to show how much progress we have all made! It is utterly amazing, and the numbers are still growing day by day.
490
400
15
number of volunteers in Helping Hands.
people have been helped by this group!
care homes aided by Helping Hands.
2,538
300
UNCOUNTABLE
members on our Facebook Page.
streets roughly leafleted in Penarth.
and counting...
and more
THIS WEEK'S SHOUTOUTS
or so
number of banana loaves baked in Penarth!
USEFUL INFO Telephone number to contact Helping Hands admin team: 02920 099359 Help Request Form:Â tinyurl.com/helpinghandspenarth-help Retailers offering delivery: tinyurl.com/helpinghandspenarth-delivery Volunteer form: tinyurl.com/helpinghandspenarth
n you to Joh Big thank d a o ns R from Quee n helping e e b s who ha ing, with shopp ns & prescriptio ats. friendly ch
r u to Jeff fo Thank yo h c te r e being sup elping a h d n a savvy ent video local resid mily. call her fa
at u to Petra Thank yo rs le el the jew Rowley's op sh e th se u who let us ate to coordin s. s & leaflet er te n lu vo ave h 't n ld u o This w ut ible witho been poss ll! a u o y
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
vice Ambulance Ser
enarth iscounts P Dragon D lots of donated ly s u ro e n ge plies to drink sup food and bulance Welsh Am e th rt o p sup ff. Service sta
Happy
Birthday
Love From
Lavernock
A lovely gesture from some of the residents on Lavernock Road who donated a lovely care basket to one of the neighbours.
A totally yummy cake donated by Dawn's Pantry to celebrate a neighbour's 91st birthday.
Pizza Pronto Super donation of over 20 pizzas for carers at the Waverly Nursing Home. Thank you so much Pizza Pronto!
Fire Station
The Fire Station re ceived lots of your lovely dona tions. Thank you to all involve d!
Happy Birth day
Such a kind ge sture fr Suzann om e who le f t t his gorg cake fo eous r Marily n's birth day
Thank you so much to you all for reading our first ever newsletter, filled with everyone's amazing work! We have tried to feature as many of your lovely acts of kindness as possible but we apologise if we have missed anyone. If you would like to add to our next newsletter by giving a shoutout to a lovely volunteer, adding to our wall of highlights or have any useful information you would like to add please contact Zoya Yousef. Get excited for our next newsletter which will feature a little challenge for you all! Keep up the great work! Safe and healthy wishes to all the amazing people of Penarth, From the Helping Hands Admin Team x x
02920 099359