Supporting local charities & community hubs during Coronavirus
The coronavirus crisis is shining a spotlight on some of the most vulnerable in our societies. In the UK it’s incredible to see calls for NHS volunteers to help the vulnerable far exceeding expectations. But vulnerabilities are not just physical, and the vulnerable are not just one group of people. Vulnerabilities can be complex, multifaceted, socially created and entwined with capabilities and strengths. While we scramble to mobilise support for some vulnerable groups, others are being overlooked. We know that the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are at risk, but what about equally vulnerable people that don’t meet these descriptions: Children living in poverty or domestic violence situations, and young adults with learning difficulties to name a few. Having been at the receiving end of social work cuts for years, the little social support they may have is being severely undermined by further restrictions and financial losses. While we are all having to adapt and try to bounce forward, please remember that some of us are in a position to be able to bounce a lot further than others. These young people need positive social ties and practical, helpful connections now more than ever. Yet the charities that so often provide vital support are facing devastating cash crises, just as they are being called on by the Government to step up their support, but without any of the financial measures offered to businesses.
Local charities need us now more than ever. Lobbying the state to provide vital support to the most vulnerable is something we can do, as well as offering local charities and social enterprises our time. Rather than being an act of charity you could see it more as a fair redistribution of resources, and a chance for you to enrich your life in other ways. And if you feel that you haven’t got time, at least bung them a bit of dosh. Or bung us some. We would be happy to take it. It’s not just the big charities that need help, if you know of local organisations that are important community hubs for vulnerable groups, consider how we can help them survive the financial shocks of these times. Theatres, community groups, clubs, community gardens may take donations or sell memberships, such as the Blackpool Grand 1894 Club. Which community centers are the backbone of your local support networks?
Local knowledge is vital for supporting important but easily overlooked services, but we also need to think beyond our own neighbourhoods – especially those of us in comfortable, well-resourced environments. The Global South may be a few weeks behind the North with the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, but it is set to be hit far harder than the Global North. As well as supporting local organisations, think about connecting up with supporting efforts to combat the shocking effects of Covid-19 on people’s lives in the Global South. More on this in another blog post coming soon we hope.
