Dewsbury Covid-19 action group helping vulnerable during virus pandemic

Dewsbury South Covid-19 community action group (DSC), established in March, supports the elderly and vulnerable who had to self-isolate for their safety in Thornhill, Thornhill Lees, Whitley & Briestfield.

The action group is made up of multicultural community teams aiming to bring people from all backgrounds together including Darul-ilm Mosque; Thornhill Community Academy; Quba Community Hub; Thornhill Parish Church; and the parish of Ravensthorpe.

David Currie, member of the DSC, said: "Volunteers have generously come forward to enable us to achieve our objective.

"We're all taking care to make sure everyone is aware of the very infectious nature of the Covid-19 virus.

"We leafleted 5,000 households within a week and have since done 184 shops for those self-isolated, collected 45 prescriptions, posted mail and supported people on the phone.

"Our project is all about local people helping each other at a time of need regardless of background."

By reaching out to everyone in the community the team have demonstrated that by pulling together the public can help people to get through this difficult time and develop a sense of community spirit that unfortunately is not as strong as it once was.

"Our area has seen a great number of changes over the past 60 years. Thornhill the villages are predominantly white British," said Mr Currie.

"By contrast Thornhill Lees is a mixed community of white and Asian British, but the populations are not really integrating.

"Because this is a multi-cultural, multi-faith initiative we have had the opportunity to show each population the best of ourselves, demonstrating this through practical support, kindness and humanity.

Realising more and more the increasingly high level of need in our community, we have broadened our objective to include support more locals whose needs have been caused or worsened Covid-19 emergency.

"We work closely with Zakaria Mosque in Savile Town and Neighbourhood Nest in Thornhill.

"Eighteen urgent food parcels and 467 free meals have been sourced for those locked down."

Twice a week, the team receives free food from Fareshare Go, recently supplemented by food from Fareshare Yorkshire thanks to a grant from Borough Parish Credit Union.

Mr Currie said: "We sort out this food into packs for individual households offering them to different streets each time, now with added items for children.

"We are always striving to find better ways of targeting our help towards those in need.

"We have just printed a leaflet ‘Love never fails’ that offers emotional; spiritual support and includes contact details of many local; national organisations."

For those living in our area in increased need due to Covid-19 emergency the team encourage them to phone us on 07540985591, or email [email protected]