7 minute read
GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME
Wendover . . Good Neighbour Scheme
Introduction from the Chairman of the Council
Together we have come through a difficult time in recent months. Who knew that this virus could change our lives for so long? Lockdown was an unforeseen challenge with changes of behaviour and new disciplines having to be learnt quickly.
Relaxing lockdown is going to be every bit as challenging. In fact, it appears to be far from relaxing. The noises off, from government and media, are becoming less clear and this is unlikely to get any more certain as mobility increases and the economy reboots.
It is up to us to take the skills that we have learnt, the hand cleansing, the distancing square dance that we use on walks and the PPE that is available to keep us safe. We must all become safety officers. Not just for ourselves but for our neighbours, because if we are unfocused now, we could be heading back to square one.
Some of our old skills, like driving, crossing the road or using public transport, may need a bit of refreshing after the layoff. Keeping safe takes many forms.
Throughout lockdown this community has pulled together like never before. I am sure that we will continue to do our best to keep each other safe as the easing of restrictions happens. The warden scheme and the safety regimes that our retailers have put in place will continue if you, the community, need them.
Councillor Tom Walsh
Wendover Good Neighbour Scheme
The scheme was established on Friday 27 March with around 50 Street Wardens volunteering their services to support the vulnerable around Wendover. Since then it has gone from strength to strength with a Street Warden allocated to most streets in Wendover supporting the residents with shopping, prescription collections or just a friendly ear. We are now all hopeful restrictions will be gradually lifted for a return to something resembling normality. Looking to the future, the Parish Council will endeavour to maintain the scheme so that if another incident should occur, we have a cadre of individuals, with the appropriate council support, ready to respond in whatever way we can to ease the burdens on the community.
Meanwhile, please take time to read the letter of appreciation and the thoughts of some of our Wardens reflecting on their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis.
Keith Shelley, Clerk to Wendover Parish Council
Letter of Appreciation and Warden Musings
COVID19 - A Topsy Turvey Season
When we were told by the government that the vulnerable should stay at home and that volunteers were needed tosupport the national effort, we knew something extraordinary was about to unfold. It came as a bit of a shock however, when our middle-agedchildren told us we were the vulnerable and that we couldn’t volunteer! Suddenly, we found ourselves on the other side of the coin. No longer were we going to be caring for & serving our community, as we had done all of our lives, but we were about to be on the receiving end ofsomething rather extraordinary. We have been lovingly carried throughthis lockdown and had our every need met by the wonderful ‘WendoverWardens’ and theamazing ‘Walnut WhatsApp-ers’. We are so grateful to the neighbour who bought our newspaper every day for 3 months, to the wardens who collected prescriptions and our Budgens essentials and to all those who added food items to their home deliveries when we couldn’t get a delivery slots. To the local Council, Churches Together, the Health Centre team, neighbours, new friends and everyone who gave their time to help us through this topsy turvey time…..thank you! We knew Wendover was a special place to live, but we had no idea that it was filled with so many wonderful people who would be prepared to give their time to look after people they had never met.
Jacky & John B
Volunteer Drivers
Deliveries from Budgens to vulnerable persons
In addition to being a Warden as part of the Good Neighbour Scheme on Princess Mary Gate, where demand for help was far lower than anticipated (which is no bad thing!), I also agreed to take on the role of a volunteer driver, through which I have had the pleasure of meeting up with the Sweeney’s Budgens team (above) – Al (left) and Simeon (right) – to load up the many bags of shopping for delivery to the “shielded or self-isolating“ in Wendover and great to meet Dary (owner; far right) who fully supports and provides staffing for this valuable service.
Whilst we all have all embraced and enjoyed this experience, we do really look forward to the day when we will get to bump into the surrounding villages. It was also need met by the wonderful ‘Wendover Wardens’ and the great people we get to talk to or meet every week back into the Wendover Budgens store - when it is finally safe to do so.
I personally have had fun finding all the “hidden places” around the area, having the chance to meet some very friendly, welcoming and smiling new faces and getting to know the Sweeney’s Budgens very friendly, welcoming and smiling staff!
Julie Bruce – PMG
Wanderings/Wonderings of a Warden…
Tilly with a VP’s dog
It’s been a privilege to be a Street Warden during the current COVID-19 crisis, I have been able to really appreciate what a great place Wendover is to live in, not only do we have a great location but the people are friendly & welcoming. I was nervous at first for the safety and privacy of those of us volunteering but everyone has been really respectful. There has been an outpouring of community spirit with neighbours supporting each other and helping vulnerable people (VP) close to them, making my role easy through setting up group chats for streets, sharing delivery or C&C slots, having a sewing circle for making scrubs for a hospice - and who can forget the communal fish & chip run!
Having chats with my VPs has been lovely, most are fiercely independent so having to adjust to the “new norm” has been hard for them but I know they really appreciate all that the wardens are doing for them. We all have a part to play in managing mental health, the young as well as the old have found this difficult and I know for my two young adults who are trying to finish their university exams & assignments walking a local VP’s dog has been a great outlet. Fortunately, Wendover still has a Parish Council, and compared to those living in metropolitan areas, this has meant that we were able to react quickly and get “boots on the ground” early. I want to offer a huge thanks to all those that have helped, it’s going to be a long-haul before this awful disease is completely contained but recent experience has shown that we can cope, and if anything we are a better community for it.
Ruth Falkus, Local Street Warden
Rainbow Wreaths
In times of crisis, confusion and uncertainty it is heartwarming and humbling to be part of this incredible Wendover community. I am grateful every day that I am part of this delightful village where so many people have stepped forward to help and support their neighbours. The Good Neighbour Scheme has enabled me to assist in the magnificent effort to ensure that no-one needs to be afraid that they won’t have food or the medicine that they need and noone needs to be lonely. There is a volunteer warden always available to help, even for the more unusual requests - like the recent urgent call for a cat litter tray!
I was delighted that my son, Clark Bearman, utilised his skills as a professional Christmas decorator to brighten our doors with the Rainbow Wreaths - although when he originally donated some to the wardens he had no idea how popular they would be! He wore through his fingers tying baubles to wreaths, but I smile every time I spot them around the village knowing how much money he raised for the Heart of Bucks Coronavirus page. The Rainbow Wreaths caught the attention of BBC Oxford radio, who interviewed me on air about the work of the Wardens in Wendover. We live in a beautiful village full of wonderful people. I’m proud to be a resident and a warden.
Pam Chambers – PMG
The Markets Reopen
It has been several weeks since the Thursday and Local Produce Markets closed; however, Thursday 11 June saw the welcome return of the Thursday Market. This was very much a trial run and not all stalls were available but the intention is to have as great a diversity of stalls as possible to benefit the shoppers of Wendover. A one-way system has been adopted to ensure the safety of all shoppers and we called on volunteers again to act as Stewards to ensure the public understood the COVID-19 arrangements.
The market was well attended, and the Stewards did an excellent job ensuring the safety arrangements were adhered to.
The Thursday Market will now remain open and we are planning to open the Local Produce Market on Saturday 18 July.
