A north-east village is preparing to help its elderly and vulnerable residents through the depths of coronavirus.
Members of the public and community groups in Cruden Bay have come together to ensure “those who need it most” in self-isolation in the village will receive support.
The Cruden Bay Community Contingency group has been established to allow people in the village to come together to plan, build, train and take action if necessary measures to protect their family and local community.
A temporary food bank has also been set up at the village shop. The donated food items will only be used if “COVID-19 affects the village.”
Matt Kinsey has lived in Cruden Bay for around eight years is involved with the temporary food bank, he said: “Some people are self isolating already but I wouldn’t say there’s a sense of panic in the village.
“This has all been set up specifically to help those who might need it if the situation gets worse.
“Hopefully it doesn’t come to this stage but it means we’re prepared for it, if it does.”
Food donations can be made during the shop’s opening hours.
Volunteer “street guardians” are also being introduced. They will “essentially be the eyes and good neighbours of their own streets”.
Those interested in volunteering should message the Cruden Bay Community Contingency group on Facebook.
Other volunteers will help those in self-isolation by collecting prescriptions and dog walking.
In Aberdeen, Kingswells resident Aleen Shinnie has set up a volunteer group to ensure anyone who is vulnerable has someone to contact if they need assistance.
So far, there are between 80 and 100 people from the area taking part.
She said: “Everybody’s been mucking in to help.
“We’ve organised groups of two or more people to look after each street and they will be the point of contact for each of the houses.
“I’ve had a real positive response. We want to make sure people have the help that they need.
“We’ve sent out leaflets to every house. There’s a real community spirit.”
Anyone who is interested in getting involved to help, or who lives in the area and needs assistance, can contact Aleen on 07930 337149.
Meanwhile, a charity has set up a dedicated telephone support service to provide continued emotional and practical support during coronavirus.
CLAN Cancer Support, which has recently temporarily closed its centres across the north-east to protect vulnerable clients, is providing telephone-based support for anyone affected by cancer.
The charity provides person-centred, community-based, professional cancer support services free of charge to anyone impacted by cancer and their families and friends, throughout the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
Staff and volunteers at each of CLAN’s bases are now available on local telephone numbers to talk to anyone affected by cancer, whether they themselves have a cancer diagnosis or they are concerned about a relative or friend.
Telephones are manned in Aberdeen, Banchory, Crimond, Elgin, Inverurie, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
CLAN’s head of services, Iona Mitchell, said: “We recognise the importance of maintaining our vital support services in the community during what is a very difficult time for all.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we will be working hard to ensure that support is available to existing and new clients throughout the north-east of Scotland.
“The need for cancer support does not go away despite the pandemic, and in fact anyone affected by cancer may have an increased need for the support, reassurance and connection that our expert team can and will continue to provide throughout this period of uncertainty and change.”
