COVID-19
What we've been up to
During this tough time for us all, we have been busy trying to reduce loneliness and boredom for our members and volunteers.
Although our groups have been stopped and events cancelled, we are still keeping in contact on our members and delivering activity packs, food/home-baking as well as household essentials to those who need it.
If you would to like us help out, get in contact with us!
Activity Packs
Volunteers have been assembling up packs and delivering them to our members so they can have something to do while they are staying at home.
Packs include items such as gardening kits, various puzzle books, jigsaws, arts and craft supplies and beauty care products.
Food Deliveries
Many of our members and volunteers have been baking at home, which we are using to make up bags to deliver. Baking such as pancakes, cupcakes, tablet and more!
In addition to delivering home-cooked meals and food hampers in partnership with the West Lothain Youth Action Project. CGNN volunteers have been baking pancakes, cupcakes, tablet and more at home to give to our members
Despite the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, Craigshill Good Neighbour Network (CGNN) has continued to focus on it's aim to reduce the effects of social isolation and loneliness in the community. We have adapted our services to maintain vital contact with 200+ members and wider community by developing an outreach service providing practical help, social and volunteering opportunities.
To date 180 activity packs and 200 home baking treat bags have so far been delivered across the West Lothian Region. Other items include toiletries, toys, bikes and household items such as beds, microwaves, washing machines and pet supplies. 160 hand knitted "Buddy Bears" have been donated to local schools and we have helped coordinate 3300 meals, 6000 food parcels. We have also helped people stay connected by telephone calls, postcards, letters and sent friendship bracelets made by our volunteers. This has included people referred to by Age Scotland. Our facebook page followed by 1242 people has also provided advice, information, quizzes, singers, a piper and a VE Day theatre show to help keep our community informed , entertained and connected.
It is our intention to carry on this work and further develop our outreach services. This includes expanding our telephone befriending with the installation of new telephone equipment and the training of a bank of volunteers. Doorstep visits will be coordinated with the offer of light gardening activities and garden games. Alternatively we will simply share a flask of tea in the garden and a blether. Walks for the local river are planned as are the installation of 2 Blether Benches in partnership with 2 local organisations. We are also planning to open our premises to reduced numbers when government guidelines allow. We have prepared for this and have the necessary PPE and social distancing products/signage in place. We expect a donation of 60+ wifi enabled IT devices to allow more of our members to get online and watch the activities we will stream from our centre. We will coach people how to access these activities which will include online singing for health. quizzes and virtual tea parties.
Have a look at our Facebook
We have also been sharing quizzes on Facebook (and answers) for something to do. As well as music and theatre performances via Zoom and social media
We also have an Empowerment Group set up on Facebook run by Susan Watson our new online Mind Coach who is here to help us live our best life despite the challenges life throws at us, especially during lockdown. As things begin to reopen Susan's tips and techniques can help us with the anxiety some of us are feeling as we ease back to a "new normal"
Give us a like on Facebook and keep up to date with what we are doing!