With many older and more vulnerable people in our community self-isolating due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, lots of people have been stepping forward wanting to help, demonstrating the Spirit of Salford.

Make sure you remember the priority is to keep yourself and others safe and follow physical distancing and infection control guidance at all times.

We’ve put together some tips on the best ways you can offer your support safely. You can also read advice on how to help safey on the NHS website here.

Be a good neighbour

You can be a good neighbour without face to face contact. The majority of the actions below can be done on the phone or virtually:

• Connect and reach out to your immediate neighbours -  a conversation may be a lifeline and will help people feel less lonely
• If there is a neighbourhood social media page you could help them connect with this
• Encourage others on your street to take part in positive community activities from their homes - e.g. rainbow window decorations 
• Help your neighbour put together a contact list of useful numbers e.g. their personal emergency contacts, local advice lines, etc.
• Practical support such as picking up prescriptions, helping them with online shopping, walking their dog, etc.

General rules

• Follow government guidelines on staying at home. You may still be able to give practical help to your neighbours e.g. collecting their shopping while doing your own shop, or walking their dog only when you take your daily exercise.
• Don’t enter people’s houses – stay on the doorstep and keep 2 metres apart!
• Be kind and courteous
• Respect everyone’s privacy, helping vulnerable people requires mutual trust e.g. don’t share any private information
• Follow infection control advice and physical distancing – with coronavirus (COVID-19) the situation is fast evolving so follow the latest advice from trusted sources e.g. Public Health England (Find them on twitter: @PHE_uk) or visit the PHE website.
• If you feel unwell with symptoms of coronavirus you should self-isolate. Guidance on this is available on the NHS website.
• Carry a mobile phone and let someone know where you are going

If someone is in need of more help than you can give please direct them to Salford City Council’s Spirit of Salford Helpline on 0800 952 1000 or complete the form at www.salford.gov.uk/spiritofsalford

Emergency Response Volunteering

Following the government's  'stay home, save lives' guidance we know some people are unsure if they are allowed to leave their home to volunteer.

If you are volunteering to provide care or to help a vulnerable person this is permitted. But you MUST follow physical distancing and infection control measures at all times.

If you would like to be part of Salford’s Emergency Response Volunteering initiative, please register here.

Emergency Response Volunteers support residents and communities affected by an emergency and it is a diverse and varied role. In relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, tasks may be as follows:

• Staffing a phone line; taking calls from local residents, finding out what help they need and recording this
• Organising help and support for local residents
• Signposting residents to local services that can help
• Distributing and delivering goods e.g. food and toiletries

If you have any queries about being a good neighbour or emergency response volunteering please contact our team on 0161 787 7795 or email volunteer@salfordcvs.co.uk

You can also donate to Salford4Good and local foodbanks.

You can also be a good neighbour by donating:

Donate to the Salford 4 Good - Emergency Response Fund (COVID 19) fundraiser.		You can support your local foodbank at supermarket donation points or by donating money online.
Download our guide on 'How to be a Good Neighbour in Salford' here.