Helping in the community during COVID-19

Local groups from sporting clubs to residents’ associations and concerned individuals have been leading local initiatives to support vulnerable and socially isolated people in their communites.

The Department of Rural and Community Development have launched a plan called Community Call to support the work of the people who are ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community are kept safe and well.

Each local authority (council) has established a Community Response Forum to coordinate COVID-19 related community supports. As part of this, each local authority has established a helpline that vulnerable people can phone if they are looking for basic services such as delivery of food or meals, or transport for essential trips.

Here is a list of each local authority’s helpline phone numbers.

If you want to volunteer, you can register with your local Volunteer Centre or sign up online at www.i-vol.ie. Some volunteer roles will be directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak while others may be related to helping community organisations to keep normal services running.

Volunteer Ireland have just launched their #volunteerfromhome campaign which focuses on what people can do to help from home. This campaign will involve promoting volunteering roles that can be done from home, supporting organisations to create volunteer from home opportunities and developing guidance and resources on how to manage volunteers from home. You can find more information on this at www.volunteer.ie.

You can also help by volunteering informally in your own community, for example by helping those in an at-risk category with their shopping or by collecting their prescriptions and so on.

The GAA’s network of 1,600 clubs is supporting communities across the country by working in partnership with essential local suppliers to deliver food, fuel, prescriptions, and other vital goods to those who are cocooning or are incapacitated. If you are keen to volunteer, please contact your local club or register your interest with Volunteering Ireland. This huge volunteering effort is now linked into the new Community Response Forum structures in each county.

If you do decide to help or volunteer it is really important that you are well enough to do so, and that you have not travelled outside Ireland in the last 14 days.

When making a house call:

• phone and confirm day and time if a visit has been arranged, call the person when you arrive outside their home
• complete hand hygiene before leaving your vehicle
• if you are dropping off shopping/prescription and so on, it can be left at the door and simply call to let them know
• if you do need to enter the house, ring doorbell or knock loudly and step back 2 metres, inform the person who you are, show your ID if from a volunteer organisation
• ask the person to move to another room and follow the cocooning guidelines about handwashing and physical distance
• unload goods ensuring they are accessible for the person
• reassure the person that contact and deliveries will be maintained while they remain at home
• complete hand hygiene prior to returning to vehicle
• if the person reports feeling unwell ask if the person has contacted GP, if not contact them on their behalf
• before leaving confirm time and date of next visit

If there is no response when you get there:

• ring another contact telephone number if you have one
• after numerous attempts to contact the person without success, contact the emergency services for further assistance
• remain at the residence until emergency services attend

For more advice on how to volunteer safely, see the Communication Pack for Communities.

It is important to remember that good volunteer management practice is particularly important during crisis situations. Whether you are an experienced volunteer manager or you are managing volunteers for the first time, volunteer management during an emergency can be very different.

Volunteer Ireland have developed guidelines for groups wishing to recruit volunteers. They also have developed practical volunteering role templates aimed at supporting groups who need to recruit volunteers during this time. These are available here.

Volunteer Ireland have also created a series of webinars and videos to help with managing volunteers. Here's one on supporting volunteers.

If you are receiving assistance, safety should be your number one priority.

Here are some simple guidelines to ensure your safety and security:

• follow cocooning guidelines about hand washing and physical distancing
• do not answer the door to someone you don’t know
• do not let anyone into your home unless it is absolutely necessary
• do not give your bank details to anyone that you do not know or trust
• always ask for identification if someone calls to your door from an organisation. If in doubt, call the organisation to verify details
• if you are offered help and are not comfortable please contact the Garda Síochána on 999/122 or a recognised helpline if you need support, for example ALONE on 0818 222 024 and Seniorline on 1800 80 45 91
• do not buy ‘testing kits’ or other testing materials from any source. Medical tests will be provided free of charge by the HSE if they are required
• have the number of a trusted relative, friend or neighbour to hand in case you need to call someone. If you suspect that someone is trying to commit fraud, contact your local Garda station

It is very important that social contact is maintained with people who are isolated in their homes at this time, even if it's a friendly phone call. Even if you are not a formal volunteer, checking in via call or text with a vulnerable person in your locality can make a huge difference.

There are also a range of initiatives that people can avail of during this time:

• ALONE is providing a telephone support line, seven days a week from 8am – 8pm, for all older people, their families, and those who are medically vulnerable. If you need any advice, reassurance or additional support call them at: 0818 222024
• Gardaí – if you have any safety concerns, or need any essential items brought to you, contact the Gardaí, they will be more than happy to assist you or direct you to relevant services
• Irish Men’s Sheds are running the #CallThemForACuppa campaign that encourages people to call those who may be isolated for a chat
• Third Age Ireland have a Seniorline which is a confidential listening service for older people, with trained volunteers. Freephone 1800 804591
• Friends of the Elderly also run a friendly call service for those who just need a chat. Its available free and nationwide. Call 01 8731855