Sometimes, all it takes is an idea! An idea can be small and simple, but with relentless dedication to bring it to fruition, it could have a monumental impact. Whilst lockdown has put some restrictions on more traditional ways of helping others, it has also proved to be a catalyst for other inspirational and innovative ideas. Who would have thought that Captain Tom Moore pledging to walk 100 lengths of his garden would have raised close to £22m for the NHS?
This is exactly what the campaign #KeepBritainWorking is all about. We want you to share your ideas and be inspired by other people’s ideas to make a change and to have an impact. Share your idea with us here
Here are some other ideas that could be used to help the vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis:
1. Fundraise, fundraise & fundraise.
Now, more than ever before, charities and organisations such as the NHS are in need of funds to extend their help to the vulnerable in their network. This is where you can help! Look at the example of Sir Tom Moore, at 99 he pledged to walk 100 lengths of his back garden before turning 100 at the end of this month. Not only has he now completed the walk, but has also managed to raise nearly £22million and counting (justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs). We may not all be legends like Captain Tom, but surely we could come up with some creative ways to fundraise?
2. Feed those in need: Support a food bank or a homeless shelter
It has become harder than ever to get food to the most needy in recent times. You can start by supporting your local food back in one of the ways listed:
- Donate non-perishable items to your local food banks. You can also encourage your connections to do the same.
- If you are healthy and able to take necessary safety precautions, you could sign up as a volunteer for your local food bank to call upon when they are in need of an extra helping hand.
- Call your local food bank and ask them what they are most in need of or how you could put your skills to use to help them.
- Consider making a monetary donation or fund raise. With a record number of redundancies, more and more families are finding it harder to make their expenses meet and are relying upon food banks to help them feed their families. This is an increased pressure for the food banks to cope with, so a little money could go a long way.
To find your local food bank or to learn about how to help them, please visit trusselltrust.org. Trussell Trust is the UK’s largest network of food banks.
3. Volunteer your time to teach a skill or share your knowledge
We learn, we grow, we evolve – and the best part is – we are productive! Let’s be honest, during this lockdown, the majority of us have either been feeling sluggish and overwhelmed with not knowing what to do or are hearing this from our friends and family. Well, one way to overcome this and help others too, is to volunteer your time to teach them something new or to learn a new skill from them! WIth the schools being closed too, most parents are looking for ways to homeschool their children and for activities to get them involved in. Once you’ve decided on what skill you want to share, make a public pledge about how you are going to volunteer your time to encourage others to join in too!
4. Reach out to your connections, their connection and the connections of your connections!
One of the most common discussions on the internet at the moment revolves around the impact of social isolation on mental health and domestic abuse. One of the easiest ways to help during this crisis is reaching out to people in your network, extending it to (if you can) people in their network. A mere conversation, a listening ear or an offer to help can make people feel wanted, connected and just what they may have needed to positively elevate their mood, feelings or emotions.
5. Join a movement and show your appreciation
Whilst most of us have to stay indoors to help save lives, there are others across the country who have to go to work to save other people’s lives whilst putting theirs at risk. Yes, I’m talking about our key workers and frontline staff who are relentlessly putting in every effort to serve the people of this nation and help save lives! The least we can do is give back by showing our appreciation by joining movements or campaigns that aim to do that. Two good examples of these are:
- #ClapForOurCarers: A Nationwide campaign that runs every Thursday at 8pm, requesting all individuals to come to their windows or gardens and clap for five minutes in recognition of the exceptional work that carers are doing! To find out more on how to get involved to show your support and appreciation, visit clapforourcarers.co.uk
- Thanks a million NHS: This is a campaign to show some love to our National Health Service and every individual that has worked and is working within it, by creating a living map of gratitude from every corner in Britain. Join in and add your stamp on the map by getting involved at thanksamillionnhs.co.uk
