We are all at risk of feeling isolated and lonely over the coming weeks, with Covid-19 guidance advising people to stay home and limit social contact. Vulnerable groups and older people will be feeling particularly affected by these changes. Social distancing is a vital measure which will help slow the spread of Coronavirus and protect the NHS. But this doesn’t mean that people have to be socially isolated – there are many ways that people can feel socially connected and supported.
Many local organisations such as Northfield Community Partnership, B31 Voices and Age UK Birmingham have launched phone support services, which offer a friendly chat to make sure that no one has to go without social contact during this difficult time.
The Active Wellbeing Society are keen to hear from anyone who might need a friendly chat. Our Health Partnership Link Workers have been keeping in touch with their patients from GP referrals. Our Befriending phone service is available to everyone who may be feeling concerned or lonely, or simply in need of a friendly chat. We are here to offer comfort and reassurance over the phone.
Last week, Jasmine Heir, a Befriender, spoke to a lady in her late 70s who lives alone and can only see her daughter twice a week. The caller was grateful to be able to chat and asked for Jasmine’s name so that she could write it in her notebook. She then decided that, better still, she had a new garden plant that she could see from her kitchen window that she was going to call Jasmine. Jasmine and the caller have arranged to have a cuppa ‘together’ during their next call.
The friendly phone calls are helping many people who are finding it hard at the moment, another caller added ‘I had been feeling quite depressed and low, but this call has been a breath of fresh air, it’s really brightened my day, thank you’.
Other organisations such as As-Suffa offer telephone support clinics which give people someone to talk to and can also provide legal and HR advice relating to Government funds and schemes.
The current situation can be confusing and lonely. Regular communication and conversation can help us stay connected and positive. If you are worried and would like to speak to someone from our team for a friendly chat and welcoming conversation, then please get in touch with us through the form or by calling us during office hours on 0121 728 7030.
Got a positive story to tell? We’d love to hear from you! We’re really proud of our communities and want to help tell your stories… If you have a positive or uplifting story you want to share, or know of someone who should to be publicly thanked for the work they’re doing, you can do so by posting directly to the Brum Together Facebook page, through the form here, or by using the hashtag #brumtogether in your public social media posts.
