Volunteering during Covid
The spread of coronaviurs has resulted in another, much more positive, outbreak. Over 10 million adults in the UK volunteered in their communities during the lockdown. And the evidence is that many, if not most, of them are continuing to contribute their time to supporting people and enterprises now that restrictions have eased.
In my own community, a support group was started by three local residents within days of the lockdown being imposed. Many of us - me included - did shopping and collected medication for vulnerable people unable to leave their homes.
As the urgent need for support has diminished, the group has morphed into a place where we help and advise each other and share information and tips, whilst continuing to provide whatever services our more vulnerable neighbours need.
Thousands of local groups
There are thousands of similar groups all over the country (and world? Do let me know in the comments if you have something similar where you are) and volunteering has become more important than ever in providing vital services to people and organisations in ever more urgent need.
Of course, volunteering in the time of a pandemic is more complicated than it would normally be, so you need to be sure to keep yourself and anyone else you might come into contact with, safe. (See further down for tips on how to do that)
But the rewards both to the people and organisations you give your time to, and yourself, are correspondingly all the more appreciated and satisfying. Research has shown that volunteering can decrease feelings of depression and improve overall well-being, so it’s a win all round.
What to bear in mind
If volunteering is something you’ve thought about but haven’t yet done, or if you volunteered before the pandemic but can’t continue with that sort of work for whatever reason, here are a few things to bear in mind when considering what you might want to do:
Think about what skills you have and what sort of work they would be the best fit for (if you’re handy with a sewing machine, could you make masks or PPE scrubs, for example)
Ditto interests - if you’re giving your time to something, it’ll always be more rewarding if you enjoy doing it
Be honest about how much time - and energy - you have. Don’t overstretch yourself. All that volunteering feel-good fallout will go to waste if you end up being stressed from over-stretching yourself.
Take on less than you think you can to start with. You can always build up to more.
If you don’t find the right volunteering fit first time, don’t give up. There are SO many different opportunities and as the pandemic progresses, needs are constantly changing. You’ll find your purpose place somewhere.
So, with all that in mind, if you’re ready to get stuck in (with suitably washed hands, of course) here is a, not remotely exhaustive, list of ways you can play a part in supporting others during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Where to look for volunteering opportunities
The best place to start is by rummaging around on one of the excellent general volunteering sites like Reach Volunteering, DoIt, or the government’s volunteering website
They cover a huge range of volunteering opportunities and ideas for working in/with everything from people and communities, to education and learning, to the environment and animal welfare, and can be searched by region and area.
Other more locally focussed UK sites are Volunteer Now which covers Northern Ireland, Volunteer Ireland for Southern Ireland, Volunteer Scotland and WCVA which offers opportunities for volunteering in Wales.
Further afield
Of course there are thousands of sites that cover countries all round the world, but I’m not going to venture further afield than the UK for the purposes of this piece. Other than to say AFAR has a useful round up of ways to volunteer without leaving home in the US. Click here to read that.
And if you should be interested in volunteering opportunities that reach beyond the shores of the UK, the UN Volunteers website is a good place to start.
Foodbanks
Research is increasingly showing that eating healthily is key to protecting ourselves from the worst effects of Covid-19, But there are tens of thousands of people for whom putting any food on the table, let alone healthy, nutritious food, is a daily worry. Food banks around the country have seen a huge increase in demand as a result of the pandemic, and there are literally dozens of ways you can help support the vital work they do. Fareshare and The Trussell Trust are the best places to look.
Staying safe
Of course, the most important thing when it comes to volunteering is staying safe, and Volunteer Now have prepared a number of useful information sheets giving guidance for volunteering during the Coronavirus crisis. You can find them here
If any of this has inspired you to give your time to support others, or to explore new and different ways to volunteer on top of what you’re already doing (and I do hope it has), do keep in mind these tips to keep yourself and the people you’re working with and for as safe as possible:
Only volunteer if you feel well enough and are not shielding, self-isolating or in a high-risk group.
Keep washing your hands often for 20 seconds. And where it’s not possible to wash your hands, carry hand sanitiser and use it often.
Stay at least 2m – about three steps – away from people you’re helping. Where 2m is not possible, stay at least 1m apart with precautions, like wearing a mask.
If you’re independently trying to help someone with serious issues, don’t be afraid to contact the appropriate statutory services.
Stay outside of people’s homes.
The British Red Cross has created a training video showing you what you need to do to look after yourself and others if your’re volunteering. The content of the course is regularly updated to reflect the latest situation and government advice. Watch it here
If you already volunteer and have any advice or tips to add, please do share them in the comments. Thank you.
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