How the Red Cross is helping Fifers to connect to communities

Members of a Red Cross community group have been helping people across Fife to feel more connected to their communities – something which is needed more than ever during the current coronavirus lockdown.

Red Cross Community Connecting Fife was launched three years ago as part of British Red Cross Community Connecting.

The national organisation was established as a joint project between British Red Cross and the Co-op to tackle loneliness and social isolation, with the aim of working for up to 12 weeks with anyone over the age of 16.

In the Kingdom, the group, along with a number of committed volunteers, mainly works in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes as well as Dunfermline and the west Fife villages.

Elaine Meakin, community connector, Fife British Red Cross, explained how it works: “We set goals with people referred to us and the way our volunteers help is by accompanying people to groups, going out for walks, and using public transport so that the person can gain the confidence to continue their chosen activity.

“Volunteers have also helped us set up friendship groups in Fife.

“Over the past three years we have helped 750 people in Fife. At present we have seven volunteers who use their skills to work tirelessly to make a huge difference to people’s lives.”

But she said they have had to adapt drastically in light of the coronavirus pandemic: “Our priority is to keep service users and volunteers safe and risk free, so at present, we don’t have volunteers doing face to face work, but as our volunteers are still keen to help, we have arranged for them to phone people for a regular friendly chat or to find out if they need any practical help. Just that wee phone call to someone who is on their own can make all the difference – knowing someone is thinking of them and cares.

“One of our volunteers has also put together Easter quizzes and word searches to give people some distraction and a bit of fun!”

She added: “We are also working closely with other Fife organisations to co-ordinate any practical and emotional support people need. It is more vital than ever that organisations all work together.”

Visit: www.redcross.org.uk

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