In an ever-changing environment, neighbours across the UK are coming together to offer support to those in need in their local community who may be affected by Coronavirus (Covid-19). From delivering shopping to picking up prescriptions, local communities are uniting together to help those that need it the most.
Nextdoor is a great place to offer support, find those that need help or to check in on those affected. Here are four ideas on how you can use Nextdoor to support your local community at this time.
- Offer time and support
People in every community will face the challenges of coronavirus in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell. If you are fit and healthy and have the time to help others, offer your support on Nextdoor. There are lots of things you can do to help, just make sure you follow NHS advice to ensure your own safety:
- Checking in on older or more vulnerable neighbours
- Delivering food shopping
- Picking up prescriptions
- Donating food to foodbanks
- Creating care packages with essentials
- Looking after pets or taking your neighbour’s dog for a walk
- Putting the bins out for a neighbour
2. Create a local coronavirus support group
A great way to coordinate volunteering your time and help is by creating a group on Nextdoor. On Nextdoor you can create groups to bring your neighbours together on a particular topic, cause or issue. It is a great way to organise, take action and get things done with your local community. You can create a group just for your neighbourhood, your nearby neighbourhoods, or a city-wide group. The group can be a great way to support anyone who may be anxious about coronavirus and you can use it as a place to share the correct advice from the NHS. Find out how to create a group here.
3. Digitally check in on your neighbours
As self-isolation increases, we need to find new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing. Self-isolating will be tough on a lot of people and they may feel very lonely and a simple chat can go a long way. You can use Nextdoor to digitally check in on your neighbours. Simply post a message to the entire neighbourhood to see how they are doing or send a private message. You could also perhaps suggest a video call to make it more personal – a digital coffee morning!
4. Finding those who need help
Finding those who need help the most is easier than you think. Here are a few hints and tips:
- Create a post on Nextdoor to reach out to your local community to see if anyone needs help or knows of anyone who is struggling
- Take the time to acquaint yourself with your direct neighbours. You could also suggest they join Nextdoor to stay up-to-date if they’re not already a member
We’ve already seen some amazing examples of neighbours helping one another. Here are some of our favourites:
Lucy, Milton Keynes
After posting on Nextdoor, Lucy from Milton Keynes has had over 50 people offering to assist her to help anyone in the community who may need deliveries brought to them if they’re self-isolating. Lucy is a single parent of four children and realised that she didn’t have a support network in place if she got ill, she, therefore, wanted to try and organise the community for when/if a lockdown happens that they have a neighbour there who they can rely on. Lucy is now planning to distribute leaflets on her estate which will encourage people to reach out to her if they need help.
Neal, North London
Neal, who lives in Highbury, was concerned that elderly people might be afraid to leave their home with the outbreak of COVID-19. He decided he wanted to do something about it and posted on Nextdoor to see if anybody needed help and encouraged other neighbours to join him in helping out locals in the area. He has so far done shopping, delivered papers for a few neighbours and has been in contact with local groups to try and spread the word that if people need help, all they need to do is ask.
Miranda, South London
Miranda from Tooting decided that she wanted to organise her and her neighbours to help those in the community who might need to self-isolate. What started out as a simple post on Nextdoor has gone on to gain over 100 comments of neighbours offering to help those in their area who might need it. Miranda is now considering creating leaflets which could be posted through doors encouraging those to get in contact if they need deliveries made or errands run for them.
For the most current advice on Coronavirus visit the NHS Website.
