Biggleswade and village safety nets spread wide thanks to Coronavirus community action groups

In the past few weeks, Biggleswade Good Neighbours (BGN) has jumped at the chance to offer its services to those in need, while similar groups have rallied together in Potton, Everton, Sutton, Wrestlingworth, Cockayne Hatley, Eyeworth, Tempsford, and Dunton.

A new group in Arlesey has now been founded by script writer Sally Abbott, offering help with shopping, prescription collecting, and dog walking, while its members will also be able to lend a listening ear via the telephone.

Sally, whose name people may recognise from ‘Vera’ and ‘Death In Paradise’, said: “The response from Arlesey has been extraordinary. I set up the Facebook group last Tuesday [March 17] and we had 200 members within hours!

“People have been calling up with issues such as ‘I’ve got an elderly mother. I can’t go and visit her now and I’m concerned’. This is all about being a safety net.

“I watched Boris Johnson’s statement last Tuesday, and the thing that I took away from it was ‘What can we do to help?’”

Arlesey Good Neighbours (AGN), as the group has been named, has been organised into six sub groups, with volunteers responsible for different roads and obeying the “golden rule” of never entering anyone’s house.

Leaflets have now been distributed around the town, and Sally, a resident herself, is grateful to all the volunteers.

The team has even received messages of goodwill from TV stars Dawn French and Sally Lindsay, giving them a welcome boost as they begin their mission.

In her video message, Sally Lindsay said: “I wanted to put my two pennyworth in and say how wonderful I think you are, and that we need each other at the moment. It’s very frightening.”

A huge amount of gratitude has also been shown for busy voluntary organisation, Biggleswade Good Neighbours.

Philippa Theobald-Roe, of BGN, said: “We have had a massive influx of people wanting to do their bit and help out older people who can’t get out or those who are ill.

“People have been so, so grateful. This week I got a phone call from someone who was almost in tears because they didn’t know whether they could get their shopping.”

Meanwhile, action is being taken in Potton to help residents in need.

A website called www.inpotton.com/eatdrink has been set up in order to keep the community updated with which pubs, restaurants and cafes are providing takeaway or delivery services.

Creator Gavin Ross, said: “I set the site up out of my own pocket as an idea to try and help local businesses in Potton, but also as a way of helping Potton residents (and beyond). It’s a way of knowing what’s happening and available.

“At the moment I’ve not taken a penny from anyone as I want to get it established and help local businesses, clubs, and societies share what they’re up to.

“Once this pandemic is out of the way I’d like to offer publicity or webpages for local businesses in return for a small donation to a charity - details at www.inpotton.com/advertise.”

Another organisation that is going strong is the Potton Community C-19 Support Group, with an army of volunteers ready to help with shopping, posting mail, and accessing urgent supplies, with the team also offering a friendly phone call service.

Resident, Central Beds Councillor, and group member, Tracey Wye, said: “It’s amazing, but not surprising, as we are a very strongcommunity. It’s what we do; we will always step up.”

Tracey is also busy working with foodbanks, as well as liaising with supermarkets in order to see how many families care home managers will be able to buy food for at once.

There is also talk of a JustGiving online donation page being established for the town... so watch this space.

Potton Town Councillor and Central Beds Councillor, Adam Zerny, said: “Potton residents have once again come together to support each other. We’re seeing the same work in all the surrounding villages.I am so very proud of this great community effort.”

>Contact details: Arlesey - search ‘Arlesey Good Neighbours’ on Facebook. Residents should also have received leaflets with a contact number.

>Biggleswade Good Neighbours: 07771 104255. The group is also on Facebook.

>For the Potton Community C-19 Support Group, search: ‘Potton community help’ on Facebook.

You can also contact Potton Town Council or email [email protected] or adam.zerny@cen
tralbedfordshire.gov.uk, who will all point you in the right direction.

> www.inpotton.com/shop - to share info about what’s open/available locally.

> www.inpotton.com/eatdrink - to share info about what’s open/available locally.

> www.inpotton.com/help - provides a number of links to local charities.