Fifers rally round to help the most vulnerable in their communities

In the darkest of times. people across the district have stepped up to help the most vulnerable in our communities.

The global pandemic, coronavirus, has brought with it panic buying, and huge upheaval to our daily lives as the UK and Scottish Governments take action to keep everyone safe.

Self isolation has become a very real experience for many with symptoms of the virus, while social distancing has seen people unable to reach loved ones. Tougher restrictions have now been put in place with everyone asked to stay home except for a few select reasons.

But as ever, big-hearted Fifers have risen to the challenge, giving up their own time and looking out for those in need.Here are some of the services run by kind souls in the area.

If you need help or would like to volunteer, the contact details are below. If there is a service in your area that you’d like to highlight, get in touch by emailing: [email protected] or telephone 07885 982 291, and we’ll do our best to ensure that the people in our communities who need help are able to find support.

Burntisland

The Toll Centre has become the base of operations for a new drive to help those unable to get food or medicine.

It’s a joint venture between the centre and Burntisland Community Council, providing crucial services to people who are in self isolation or have mobility issues.

The Burntisland Emergency Action Team went live this week, with volunters at the centre looking to get help to anyone in Burntisland.

Toll Centre manager Yvonne Crombie said: “We’ll have forms on Facebook that people can fill in to volunteer with us and other forms so that people can ask for help.

“Maybe it’s with shopping, prescriptions, or dog walking. People that are isolated in the house or are elderly and can’t get out.

“Or even just if we can give someone a phonecall to someone who is stuck in the house.

“Just phoning up for a chat once a day so people don’t feel isolated.

“We’re going to deliver postcards to every home in the town so people can pick them up.

“People can call the Toll Community Centre, as it’s a trusted number, and it’ll say ‘press 1’ for the emergency team, and it’ll go straight to a dedicated mobile phone.”

Call the Toll Centre on 01592 872854, or go to www.facebook.com/TollCommunityCentre.

Meanwhile, High Street pub The Star is also doing deliveries of vital supplies for the over 70s.

You can call the pub on 01592 871313 between 10am and 12pm each day.

Morag Douglas said: “Myself and a few other staff members are on the committee for the Over 70s Christmas Treat, so we felt we were in a position to help because they know us and trust us.

“We’re using the pub phone, and using the pub as a base for it.

“If they call us between 10 and 12 in the morning, we’ll go and get their shopping for them and drop it off and pick up prescriptions too if they want.

“We’ve set up so we can take card payments over the phone because we realise that people might only have a finite amount of money in their house, and as they’re not able to get out that’ll probably run out if they’re not able to get to a bank machine.”Kinghorn

Kinghorn Community Council has activated the Kinghorn Support Squad to help those in need of medicine or food supplies.

Alan McIlravie, community council Provost, explained the squad was set up around three years ago to respond when people were needing extra help at events. During the current pandemic, he has a list of over 30 volunteers he can call upon.

He explained: “Someone puts out a call saying they need a hand and I organise it generally through email or Facebook and we respond to it. It might be one or seven or eight people turn up - they do what they need to do and then disappear.

“The community support squad in Kinghorn is under the umbrella of the community council so for a thing like we are facing now I already have a list of people who are ready and willing to step forward.

“I have linked in with Kinghorn Medical Centre, Kinghorn Parish Church and the community centre so we are all connected.”

He said the Kinghorn Community Squad has four co-ordinators and there is a dedicated phone number for people in Kinghorn to contact.

He said: “We also have people who are prepared to give locals a wee call if they need someone to talk to. But if we are taking prescriptions or shopping to people, our volunteers leave it at the door. We just make sure they have it and then we leave.”

Cards are also being produced by the squad and they have the dedicated phone number and an email address people can contact if they need help: The number is 07798 816 716 (10am - 2pm initially) and the e-mail address is: [email protected]. The cards will be available in the Co-op and volunteers will also distribute them through the doors of those who are potentially vulnerable.

Provost McIlravie added: “The help is there, the willingness is there and the need is there, we just have to connect it.”

The Butcher Shop, High St, Kinghorn is also happy for people to place orders by phone and then drop in at an allocated time to collect their purchase.

The U Save Supermarket is offering deliveries and the Co-operative Supermarket is preparing various options to support vulnerable people to ensure they have access to food items. The Ship Restaurant is offering its menu as a take away service for evening meals and The Kinghorn Chippy is also geared up for delivering food.Aberdour

Organisers have set up the Aberdour Community Home Delivery Service which sees a few local food businesses offering a home delivery service to people who stay in Aberdour. The aim is to help people and households who are self-isolating/distancing in the village as well as helping local businesses during the current crisis.

Johnny Phillips, who has been involved in co-ordinating the effort, said: “We created a leaflet to put through everyone’s door to let people know which businesses were offering the service and what is available. So if people don’t want to go out they can phone and get their supplies in.”

The businesses included are: The Post and Pantry, Room with A View seafood restaurant, The Aberdour Bakery Company, The Aberdour Hotel and Cafe @ Number 16. The Purple Shop also offers a delivery service.

While local Nikki Connolly has purchased a pay as you go phone and has organised volunteers to take it on a rota basis to answer calls from people needing prescriptions or food. She said leaflets with the number have been delivered to households in the village.Cardenden

Auchterderran Kinglassie Parish Church has set up a COVID-19 Action Group with a number of volunteers who will be able to arrange shopping for those who are self isolating as well as a friendly voice at the end of a phone.

The first point of contact is the minister Donald Lawrie by telephone on 01592 720508 or by email at: [email protected] who will then arrange for one of the volunteers to make contact with the person or to arrange for supplies and prescriptions to be delivered. The help is for anyone struggling at this time.

The church feels that it is very important to keep in touch with the congregation, regulars from the Drop In Cafe, as well as the wider community at this difficult time ensuring that everyone stays as healthy and safe as possible. A jigsaw library is also available and can be provided to anyone who would like to borrow them.Kirkcaldy

Laura Davidson who owns Hug-A-Mug coffee shop is offering locals free hand sanitisers which can be collected at the shop in Rosslyn Street. The door will be closed so people will need to knock so Laura can limit the number of people in the shop and ensure social distancing. She said if anyone wants to make a donation for them, any money raised will be put towards buying more bottles.

J Henderson Meat Specialist is offering a free delivery service to people in Kirkcaldy. Locals can order packs of meat if they have been unable to buy meat products from supermarkets. Contact by email: [email protected]

Meanwhile, the owners of Cupcake Coffee Box in the High Street is inviting any of its customers who maybe needng essentials or if they just want a chat to contact them via their Facebook page. The shop is now closed but Mike and Simon will be available online if any customers need help.