As I sat and watched a recent video (April 7) of the Zoom meeting run by the organisers of Rye Mutual Aid (RMA), the volunteer group providing support during the coronavirus pandemic, it gave me an insight as to what goes on behind the scenes, some of which I wanted to share.
Besides all the detail, what kept on coming through time after time was the realisation of how the local community spirit has brought so many individuals together and galvanised them as a result of the pandemic.
The virtual meeting included the management team and some of the volunteers covering various topics, one being tracking. For the week ending April 5 RMA had received 134 responses from the public locally, 54 regarding medication, 51 for shopping requests, 12 from people who wanted to chat, 8 regarding services available and the remaining 9 were logged as “other”. The number of enquiries is similar to the previous week and stable at the moment.
RMA volunteer supporters are there when we need them. PPE (personal protective equipment) and gowns were discussed. Gowns could be needed at a later stage but at the moment masks were more the focus.
RMA had a total of 50 basic disposable masks available for the week ending 5 April and, knowing that getting new supplies would be difficult, a massive call out went out to people who can sew. Ideally, volunteers would have two masks each, for use when entering shops and the like, one for “on the go” and one washed (in rotation).
The response from locals to making masks was fabulous, and some are making them in bulk and several hundred are expected. Once made, they need to be aired in the sunshine if possible and packed with clean gloves or very clean hands and put in a plastic bag with your name on it. They can be dropped off outside 12 Eagle Road, where there is a polystyrene box. They will be laundered and repackaged ready for collection (see main photo). Volunteers will be collecting masks from those in isolation, ready for washing.
The team at RMA have now made a series of informative videos covering:
All these can be found on their website and if you look on the top right of the header box and click Residents Information this will take you to them.
Rye News will be producing updates from RMA when we receive them and, on behalf of all those who have benefited from their help so far, I would like to pass on their thanks for taking the initiative to make it happen and for the support they offer our communities.
Image Credits: Mary Starling , Rye Mutual Aid .