Centre and its volunteers helped people get through the pandemic
| Published date | 16 April 2021 |
Centre co-ordinator, AnneMarie Coulter, said it has been rollercoaster ride which couldn't have been possible without community support and funding, plus the "amazing" team who came together as D&G Community Buddies in March last year and are still going strong.
She said: "Despite our world crisis, lockdown and lots of people needing to stay indoors, Summerhill volunteers and staf found new creative ways to continue supporting people. One of the first things we did was to create D&G Community Buddies and, a year on, the group has grown beyond all expectations.
""he small army of volunteers, aged from 11 to 87-year-olds, have created new ideas and plans to keep connected and look after our most vulnerable.
"It has meant introducing new activities that can be completed at home and, until it becomes safer to meet others and get out to shops, trips and activities - that are in line with the Scottish Government guidelines - we have kept daily connections through radio, social media and telephone calls with those that need us."
She said: "I am very proud to be part of the whole team who have committed to their volunteering, adhered to the restricted guidelines and ensured the new activities continued throughout lockdown.
"Our flexible approaches will continue through the different phases as we further develop wellbeing activities through
Summerhill Community Centre projects."
Looking back over the past year, AnneMarie said they responded to what they knew would be needed for those in the community needing a helping hand - or should that be a Buddie?
She said: "Although there are many people who are coping well and managing the daily challenges in general, there are still many older people in particular who have been feeling lonely, isolated or shielding through ill health; families who were already living in unbearable conditions with low incomes or children at home; or those families who are in homeless accommodation or overcrowded in flats, and trying to follow guidelines to keep safe - and we reached out to them.
"We have also supported families who have found themselves with very little wages and trying to make ends meet. People with no access to mobile phones or internet, and those with additional health issues."
Emergency support sprang into action as well as the team set...
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