Network of volunteer groups helping communities across Fife during coronavirus crisis

An army of people, including many across Fife, have joined coronavirus Mutual Aid online groups to deliver goods to those unable to leave home in their areas.

Within days of the first Facebook page launching in south London, a UK-wide network of organisations has now formed - some of which already have thousands of members already.

Among them are several in the Kingdom including Fife Covid-19 Mutual Aid (Coronavirus), Levenmouth Covid 19 Mutual Aid, Cupar Covid-19 Mutual Aid, Community Aid St Andrews and Taybridgehead Foodbank.

These groups and pages were created especially to help with the current situation.

Fife Covid-19 Mutual Aid (Coronavirus) was set up three weeks ago and has almost 4,500 members, while Community Aid St Andrews has over 2,600 members.

Users of the groups have described them as a vital boost with NHS services likely to be stretched in the coming weeks.

Though people in need of them are being urged to be wary of potential scammers, especially when handing over money.

Kelsey Mohamed, co-ordinator for the national Covid-19 Mutual Aid umbrella group said the response had been ‘overwhelming’.

“It shows us what’s possible when we prioritise simple compassion,” she said.

“People are self-organising with incredible efficiency, respect and creativity.”

Many of the groups formed through a templated leaflet being delivered through letterboxes in a particular area.

Seren John-Wood (24), helped set up the first mutual aid group in Lewisham, south London, on Thursday, March 12.

The theatre worker and her housemates distributed hundreds of leaflets around their local area asking if people needed deliveries of food or medicine.

Shortly afterwards, the friends decided to launch an umbrella organisation to guide the various groups around the UK.

Its website displays a map of the volunteer groups they know of across the whole country – some cover a single street, others a neighbourhood or town.