TEAMS of volunteers are in place across East Lothian doing everything they can to help vulnerable members of their communities.

From collecting shopping and vital prescriptions to dog walking and simply being there for people, the volunteers are there for residents throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Here, we look at four of the groups who are giving up their own time to help out.

Longniddry

THE resilience team in Longniddry is starting to plan for the future as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, but it reminds residents that help is still available if needed.

The local effort is being run by Longniddry Parish Church and supported by the local community council.

Those who need assistance are asked to call Sheila Jamieson on 07927 400437.

Sheila said: “I think we should possibly be okay [for when restrictions start to ease].

“We have got so many volunteers that even if some go back to work we should still have plenty of people to cover everything.”

There have been a few calls made to the resilience team during the past few weeks, and residents have been helping friends and neighbours.

Some volunteers have also been chatting to people on the phone and supporting people where needed.

Sheila added: “I think people have been finding it easier to get online food shopping as well.

“We are a very close-knit community, really. People are looking out for one another, everybody is known to somebody.”

Musselburgh

A CASH boost of £2,000 has been received by Resilient Musselburgh to support its continued community response during the Covid-19 crisis.

The grant aid came from Edinburgh-based Corra Foundation, which helps improve the lives of individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage across Scotland and in developing countries.

Iain Clark, chairman of Musselburgh Area Partnership, said: “On a weekly basis, Resilient Musselburgh continues to provide needed food to those who have been identified through referral by the East Lothian Council’s contact centre, other agencies, and via calls for assistance to the Resilient Musselburgh dedicated number.

“All our support to the community is based on need and we continue to review that need as people’s circumstances change.

“We cannot thank enough the local and national organisations who are working with us to ensure that we can sustain our community support.

“These include FareShare, Hickory Food, The Mercat Bar and Grill, Tesco Musselburgh, Pinkie Farm Shop and, most recently, BaxterStorey.

“We received a large number of Easter eggs and cans of juice from The National Trust for Scotland’s Newhailes House via Musselburgh Rotary Club and this has been welcomed.

“The eggs are being distributed to children in the community.

“We also received support from First Step Community Project, with resources for children’s activity packs.”

Iain added: “Yet again the kindness from our community continues and we keep our eyes open for opportunities to secure further funding to sustain our support over the coming months.

“We are extremely grateful to Eskmuthe Rowing Club for their recent financial donation to Resilient Musselburgh.

“The biggest thank you must go to our 100-plus volunteers who ensure that the support to the community continues.”

Prestonpans

LOCKDOWN restrictions may have eased but there has been no reduction in the efforts of volunteers who remain committed to helping vulnerable residents in Prestonpans.

Brian Weddell, Prestonpans Community Council chairman, said the resilience team was working as hard as ever to ensure everyone has access to supplies.

And he urged people to help them continue to do their work safely by following the government guidelines.

He said: “The focus over the past week has been on the relaxed rules and concern about people ignoring these new measures.

“Clearly no one wants to see a negative outcome, with a second wave of Covid-19 cases jeopardising the chance of further relaxation of the strict rules still in place.

“Whilst the Scottish Government has relaxed lockdown rules, there has been no relaxation of the work of our willing team of volunteers, who continue to help deliver shopping, collect prescriptions and are doing dog walks.

“When you consider that some of our volunteers are still working, their support and commitment is really admirable.”

The community council paid a special tribute to the town’s acting SPoC (single point of contact), Allan Sneddon, who has continued to work during the crisis.

Brian said: “Allan has not only headed our resilience effort, he has led from the front, delivering meals, leaflets, shopping for elderly residents and doing the occasional dog walk.”

The Pennypit Pantry delivered nearly 1,200 meals last week, with 70 per cent of the deliveries going to the elderly.

Brian said one of the nice spin-offs for volunteers has been the positive feedback from the people getting help.

He said: “Angie Davie from the Pennypit Trust has commented on the relationships she has built with a lot of the elderly people she delivers to.

“Angie says that she’s become pretty attached to a lot of them and they’re just so nice, thankful and are always up for a blether – which helps keeps us going.”

As well as the Pennypit Pantry, Jane Russell’s Sunday roast chicken dinners are still going strong and last weekend they delivered 131 dinners.

The Sunday dinners can be ordered via East Lothian Sunday Fresh Chicken Dinners on Facebook or by telephone on 07752 284249.

Finally, a reminder that Prestonpans Community Council has set up a hardship fund for people finding it difficult the longer the lockdown continues.

Anyone needing support should telephone their resilience hotline number on 07517 715085 or email prestonpansresilience@gmail.com 

Tranent

THE resilience team in Tranent and Elphinstone is starting to think about the next phase of its support plan, as requests for help slow down.

For almost 12 weeks, a large number of volunteers have been assisting people in the local community, helping them with shopping, post office visits, dog walking, deliveries, posting leaflets and prescription uplifts.

The effort is led by Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, overseen by member Mike Falconer, the group’s single point of contact (SPoC).

Mike said: “Tranent volunteers have been outstanding now for nearly 12 weeks!

“Thanks to all of you who have been helping out and, of course, thanks to all of you who maybe haven’t been called on yet – you have made yourself available and that is also a great help just knowing you are there if we need you – especially now, as folks start to return to work and begin to pick up with some nearly normal life again.

“You have all been wonderful.”

The resilience team also helps Fundamental Foods and the Pennypit Trust with meal deliveries, and has been supporting the school hub and its meal and lunch deliveries.

Apart from food production and deliveries, other requests for help “seem to be slowing down now”, according to Mike.

He said he is now starting to think about the next phase of the resilience team’s support, something he calls the “recovery” phase. Volunteers will receive an email outlining how the group plans to do this. Those who need assistance can still call 07483 453878 or email tranentemergencyresponse@gmail.com