Covid-19: Bristol BS3 group offers 'amazing' lockdown support

A Covid-19 community support group has helped 700 people since it was set up during the first national lockdown.

BS3 Covid Response offers support, shopping and prescription collections, and phone call chat services.

Carer Kjm Adams, 56, said: "It felt quite spiritual. That community spirit was going round, and that camaraderie, of people wanting to help."

It is one of seven organisations in Bristol to have been awarded a Lord Mayor's Medal for its work this year.

The group based in Bedminster and Southville was set up in March 2020 using social media and messaging services to co-ordinate help.

Since its creation, it has grown to include 5,500 members and 1,000 registered volunteers.

Analytics manager Becky Lewis-Jones, 39, has coordinated a 20-strong core team from her home in Southville, despite shielding due to asthma.

"The community really has come together in so many ways and many connections and friendships have been forged through this," she said.

Full-time carer Kjm Adams, 56, has ME and fibromyalgia and her young daughter Hannah, 11, has Down's syndrome, autism and heart issues so they have been shielding.

Kjm said: "It's just amazing... people pop up from all over the place saying, 'I'll come and do something for you'."

She also found the "check-in and chat" service helped her deal with the loneliness of isolation.

"I was really frightened, and it was really nice to just have someone to talk to just generally, even though they didn't know me.

With an end to lockdown on the horizon, Becky said the group was also offering to help escort vulnerable people stepping back outside.

"A lot of people who have been shielding have not seen how much things have changed, and lack confidence to get back into the world.

"If a friendly neighbour can be their support mechanism for those first few times I think it will really help.”

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-56454760?fbclid=IwAR38gWtQ3b9ve1jeTXIe-l2JeUcR-4Wg4m3m9XHV092XjscbHQhZni5-Qp0

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