More than 1500 St Andrews volunteers have been recruited in just two days as the town adapts to the increasing measures to restrict the spread of Covid-19.
On Sunday, Katy Keenan, a lecturer from St Andrews University, started a Facebook group that aimed to provide a platform for people from all backgrounds who wanted to show their support to the community.
The group has been flooded with messages from students, businesses and local residents offering their help to those in isolation, or struggling to get key supplies.
Katy said: “The response has been amazing and overwhelming. It quickly became clear that we needed to find a structured, organised way for us to harness the incredible numbers of people who were offering to help.”
Just after the Facebook group was created Community Aid St Andrews (CASA) was established to help co-ordinate the response.
As part of the initial group that was set up, Tom Craven and Daphne Biliouri-Grant stepped forward to help identify and organise all the available volunteers.
Daphne has coordinated volunteers for the distribution of leaflets aimed at offering help to those who are self-isolating.
She is also compiling an extensive list of people who will be happy to help as and when required.
She said: “It’s imperative that we put a working plan in place at this early stage to ensure that all efforts are well co-ordinated. By setting things up now, we are fully prepared to help the vulnerable members of our community”.
CASA held its first meeting on Monday night. The group is entirely made up of volunteers, including healthcare professionals, representatives of key groups and community members with useful skill-sets.
The primary focus for the group is to help turn the tidal wave of support and enthusiasm into practical, meaningful support that reduces the risk of further transmission, keeps everyone safe, and makes sure no one falls through the cracks in the trying times ahead.
CASA member Chris Wallard said: “The outpouring of community spirit has been phenomenal, but our priority now is to channel that into positive and coordinated action. We intend to work with a number of existing local organisations to help signpost volunteers to the right places, and connect people who want to help. Over the coming weeks we’ll be pulling together teams of volunteers, and also providing guidance and advice on how to keep yourself – and the people you’re trying to help – as safe as possible, particularly when working with vulnerable individuals.”
To find out more search for the Community Action St Andrews group on Facebook or email community.aid.st.andrews@gmail.com
