We've extended our Neighbourhood Watch group, Bodenham Watch, into a Community Group so we can help the elderly, vulnerable people, and those in need who have been directly affected by COVID-19.
We're the COVID-19 Support Group for our village and surrounding area. We've introduced a dedicated telephone helpline and email support. We have several social media accounts and a website https://www.facebook.com/groups/BodenhamWatch/. We're supported by Herefordshire Council, our local Vicar and our local Neighbourhood Police team.
We distributed 500 leaflets and currently have 45 volunteers helping. We deliver prescriptions for the GP surgery, help with shopping, phone calls, parcels and letters, dog walking and anything else deemed essential.
We applied for a local grant which we're going to use to help those in need who have been directly affected by COVID-19. We're also going to use it as a shopping fund for those in isolation who can't access their bank accounts.
We've encountered many challenges along the way and we're still experiencing challenges. Too many to list here, but so far we've overcome them all bar one. Our key workers, which has been assigned to us by Herefordshire Council have been excellent, and their support has been invaluable. The local Vicar has been excellent and very supportive too. We're in regular contact with the local Neighbourhood Police Team, and it's very good to know they're they for us also.
To find out more, contact us on support@bodenhamwatch.org.uk