‘WHAT happens if people in our community fall off the radar?” That was the worry of those who have rallied around their neighbours to form Dundee Thegither, a new community group that is determined to supply the basics to anyone in need.
It’s been running for just a couple of weeks but demand has already gone through the roof. “We’re just a group of people from Dundee who got together and decided we needed to take action,” explains 22-year-old volunteer Lee Mills (pictured above, inset, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon). Mills is based in the Whitfield area of the city, which is largely made-up of 1960s social housing with pockets of real deprivation.
What started as a Facebook post by locals has turned into something of a round-the-clock operation, with volunteers – some of whom are self-isolating – taking in requests by email, text and phone and others doing shopping, making up hampers, delivering essentials and picking-up medications all day, every day.
By 2pm on Thursday Mills is on his eighth drop-off, has been shopping, and stood in a queue for the chemists – that took an hour and a half, “it was miles long” – so he could deliver a prescription for someone unable to get out of the house.
“We have been constantly busy,” he says, admitting that it can be hard to switch off after a long volunteer shift, as messages from the various WhatsApp groups continue long into the evening.
“We are seeing a lot of people who are really vulnerable. It’s clear that the closure of food banks and other services helping those in poverty is really hitting home here.”
Those who contact them include people who are self-isolating as well as those with other issues, including problems with addiction. No-one is turned away. “If you need food, you’re going to get it, basically,” he says.
Many are almost embarrassingly grateful for the help. “Someone put us in touch with a woman who is 89, she’s on her own and had been living off custard creams,” says Mills.
“When I gave her the hamper she was over the moon. She kept on saying: ‘Are you sure son? I’m sure some old biddy could use this.’ She was 89 herself!”
Official help is on the way. On Friday, 110,000 of the most vulnerable people around Scotland – including those have underlying conditions such as cancer or who are immune-compromised – were sent a letter explaining the measures they must take to shield themselves from the virus.
A text message service will now allow the people in this group the ability to request weekly deliveries of essential items such as soup, pasta, rice, fruit and veg, biscuits, and toiletries.
But Mills worries that there might still be some left behind, who will still rely on the group’s help for weeks and months to come. “We’ll do this for as long as necessary,” he says. “We are working for a better society.”
Find out more at: www.facebook.com/Dundee-Thegither-331294644490156/
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