‘Think local, act local’ is the strong message coming from Edinburgh’s voluntary and public sector as Edinburgh residents and community groups rally round to support each other.
This week the Edinburgh Partnership, the city’s community planning network, held an urgent meeting to co-ordinate the city’s response to Covid-19 and to look at what more we can all do to help Edinburgh’s residents and businesses through this unprecedented and difficult time.
They have committed to working together to do everything they can to keep vital services running, supporting the most vulnerable and isolated and making sure our frontline workers are able to continue with their essential work.
Council Leader Adam McVey said:
The Edinburgh Partnership brings together the heads of public sector like Council, police and NHS with the third sector, and the business community with the chamber of commerce, and are all working together to co-ordinate Edinburgh’s efforts. We’re supporting our residents, businesses, communities and working hard to sustain essential and lifeline services at this incredibly challenging time.
There’s a lot we’re already doing to work across organisations, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to keep our vital services operating. This will mean everyone in the city doing their bit or simply bearing with us so we can direct support where it’s most needed. We’re already seeing many examples of organisations and individuals being hugely creative to help people in our communities and we’ll do everything we can to effectively coordinate help and support being offered and keep everyone up to date with the most recent information.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day added:
As we continue to develop our plans and respond to this constantly evolving situation, we’ll also be doing all we can to help those working incredibly hard to make sure important services can continue. Part of that will be helping to coordinate the huge volunteering effort that we’re already seeing across the city. It’s amazingly heart-warming, but unsurprising, to see the scale of kindness and generosity from Edinburgh people and businesses.
Ella Simpson, EVOC Chief Executive said:
Every day we’re seeing wonderful examples of communities and the voluntary sector coming together to help each other and we’ll continue to support that effort working with volunteers and community groups, guiding them to where their support is most needed. Just being a good neighbour will be a lifeline to many older, vulnerable or isolated people.
If you’re keen to help, we advise that you look within your own street and community first, see what your local charity is already doing and ask if they need your support. There’s so much you can do without looking too far. Very simple actions like help with shopping and checking on neighbours are key to getting the city through this. There are fantastic resources available for voluntary groups and individual volunteers and we’ll keep providing that support and sharing information on how you can help.
What you can do
Already a volunteer or want to know how to volunteer? Contact Volunteer Edinburgh for information and advice.
Voluntary organisations responding to COVID-19 in their communities should contact EVOC for advice and support.
Keep up to date with Council service information. We’ll also keep sharing the advice and support being offered from other organisations @Edinburgh_CC