Lambeth has a strong community spirit and a large voluntary and community sector. It is no surprise that residents and community groups across the borough are offering help and undertaking acts of kindness and support in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
At this time, there are some residents who are more likely to need support. These include people who are 70 or over, have a long-term condition, are pregnant and/or have a weakened immune system.
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading. This is one of the most important things you can do as a resident.
To avoid catching and spreading coronavirus, or if you are concerned that you have symptoms, please follow NHS Guidance
Things you can do to help (click to expand)
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Volunteer
If you want to help those who are self-isolating or socially distancing, the advice is to start with the people you know including your families, your friends, your neighbours and people in your local neighbourhood. These are the people who you are most likely to be able to provide continued support to.
Lambeth Council are working closely with our local NHS partners and the community and voluntary sector to ensure that vulnerable people and community organisations are able to access support when they need it. If you would like to register to volunteer and support your local community, please complete our coronavirus volunteer form.
There are also a number of organisations and community networks that are active in the borough. You can also engage with them to find out about other opportunities to volunteer and support. These include:
- Age UK Lambeth
- Link-up
- Mutual aid Lambeth See the map of whatsapp groups below.
- Next Door
- Lambeth Forum Network
- Communities Together
Be careful about how you share personal information about yourself and other people. Avoid sharing your or a vulnerable person's address and other contact information in public groups or documents.
Map of mutual aid whatsapp groups
There are a number of independently run Whatsapp groups, organised by ward, which you may wish to join to connect with volunteers and people in need in your area. Use this map to find your ward and the link to the whatsapp group.
Donate food
Food donations are actively encouraged as access to food will be one of the key challenges during this period. The Lambeth Larder Community Food Resource is a social enterprise, which helps to connect local people to emergency food and other support.
If you wish to donate food and other supplies, please consult the Lambeth Larder Directory to identify charities that may be accepting donations.
Donate money
The Lambeth Food Bank Fund has launched to support our community and the organisations that can have the most impact on those that are most vulnerable. Donate to the Lambeth Food Bank Fund.
There are also national fundraising efforts that you can contribute to such as:
- Red Cross - National Corona Virus Appeal
Be mindful when making donations that you know which organisation the money is going to.
Only buy what you need
When shopping, only buy what you need so that there is enough for everyone, especially for vulnerable residents, key workers like paramedics, doctors and nurses who are working long hours to look after us, and those who can’t afford to buy ahead.
Keep safe whilst helping out
It is important that we protect our volunteers, and those receiving volunteer support. To protect everyone and prevent the spread of coronavirus, we ask that all volunteers follow this guidance:
- Stay at home if you have a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, and follow the NHS guidance.
- Do not volunteer if you, or anyone in your household, is following self-isolation guidance because they have developed symptoms of coronavirus (a new cough that is continuous, or a high temperature).
- If you live with an extremely vulnerable person who has been advised to following the government ‘shielding’ guidance, you should strictly follow the government guidance on social distancing. This means that we cannot accept your volunteering support at this time.
How to protect yourself:
- Stay at home if you have a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, and follow the NHS guidance.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Try to support people who live close to you so you don't travel larger distances.
- Be sure that someone knows where you are – when you arrive and when you leave a specific location/address.
- Avoid going into people’s homes.
- Don’t bring people together face to face. Follow the government's advice on social distancing, shielding of extremely vulnerable people, and self-isolation for households where a household member has symptoms of coronavirus.
- Be ready and willing to show ID to people who you are supporting.
How to protect vulnerable people who need support, including delivering essential items:
Some of the people who need your support will be extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. To protect them, it is really important to follow this guidance.
- Wash your hands more frequently than usual, with soap and water for 20 seconds. Alternatively, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wash your hands before and after any contact with an extremely vulnerable person or their home setting.
- As far as we know, the coronavirus virus does not survive long on packages and parcels. However, some of the people you may be assisting are at very high risk. Therefore we advise you to wash your hands before and after handling any packages or deliveries for these individuals.
- Use disposable gloves, whenever possible.
- If possible, door knock as opposed to ringing door-bells.
- Avoid touching door handles where possible.
- Where parcels need to be delivered that won’t fit through letterboxes: place the item at the door, knock on the door, then step aside to a safe distance (2 metres or 3 steps) while the item is retrieved. This will ensure that items are delivered securely rather than being left outside.
- If you are involved in food preparation or handling, follow food safety guidance.
This page will be regularly updated. Get the latest information on Lambeth Council's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).