NOW more than ever we need to be looking out for each other, says volunteer Mandy Wilding, because you never know who in the community is having a rough time.
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Mrs Wilding is calling on people to reach out to neighbours, and people who live up the street and check they are going okay.
Mrs Wilding is no stranger to helping people doing it tough. She's a volunteer at Daffoldil Cottage's wig library and quietly goes about helping women through a very difficult time.
As the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19's impact on the nation, and the world, continues, she's encouraging everyone to undertake one act of kindness to help the elderly, vulnerable or disabled.
Mrs Wilding said she originally considered making care packages to drop off to the elderly, and spoke about the idea with a few other girls in her group.
She said she thought about putting in a few essential items like soap, toilet paper and tissues which could be passed on to others in the community, but said after speaking to a few people decided against it.
Mrs Wilding said the feedback was many people were reluctant to accept the packages. She said they didn't want to feel "like charity cases".
So she rethought her strategies and said what she's found is people are far more receptive to a friendly visit from a neighbour or someone up the street, checking they are okay and checking if they need anything.
If everyone just did one kind thing a day for another person, we can get through this. I encourage people to approach a neighbour and check they are okay.
- Mandy Wilding
"If everyone just did one kind thing a day for another person, we can get through this."
"I'd encourage people to approach a neighbour, get in your car and call in on the way past and check they are okay."
"If everyone did one act (of kindness) a day, it would make a huge difference.
"Even if it's dropping some loo rolls with a big ribbon around it, or making a cake for someone, it will help," she said.
She encouraged people to drop a note in their neighbours letterbox introducing themselves by name and contact number, and letting them know "you're around if they need a hand," she said.
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