Dear Support Group volunteers,

ID Photos

Thanks to all of you who have been sending your photos for ID cards. We're working through the list, prioritising people who have already been linked with a request for assistance. If you haven't sent in a photo yet, and would appreciate an ID card while shopping for others, please send it to mvv@milton.org.uk.

How the Group Works

A few people have been asking for more details on how the group is running. Thanks to help from a local software developer, we have a system that's now running pretty well. Requests come in via email (covidmilton@gmail.com) or by phone (07933 550989). These is covered by a rota of 9 people doing a few days at a time. The software matches each request to a few nearby volunteers, and the person "on call" will ring volunteers to check whether they are happy to cover the particular request.

We've now been able to respond to nearly 60 requests for help of various sorts - well done! We have around 150 volunteers, so don't worry if you haven't been asked yet for something specific - it's a good sign that we're not yet overwhelmed!

I've attached the latest version of our "Information for volunteers", which is based on the latest advice from government and national charities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

If you have the capacity to make or supply PPE for either Milton Surgery or Edmund Trust (supported living in Milton for adults with learning disabilities), please get in touch via email: admin.miltonsurgery@nhs.net or info@edmundtrust.org.uk.

Supporting You

Finally, while we are matching up individual requests with volunteers, we'd also like to help support all of you with the more ad-hoc help for neighbours and friends that we know is also going in in the village in great amounts.

I'm attaching again the letter you can show local shows asking them to waive item limits if you're shopping for multiple households.

We can help you with the following:

Hand sanitiser
A thermometer
Feminine hygiene products & incontinence pads
DVDs, jigsaws
Free B&B rooms (no breakfast!) for anyone who needs to be away from others/closer to a relative

We are also putting useful links on the website: https://www.milton.org.uk/milton-covid-19-support-group/. They include information for businesses and residents on a range of topics, such as financial support, anti-scam information and voucher schemes. Please do pass these links on to anyone you know who might find them useful.

There are many ways that the current emergency can put strain on households, and council officers are keen to provide support as needed. If you have any concerns about a friend or neighbour, please get in touch via safeguarding@allsaintsmilton.org.uk or call Linda Henderson on 07801 156157. All information will be handled sensitively, within local authority reporting structures to access the appropriate source of support.

All the best,

Mary-Ann