Shortly after the initial kick-off of Compassionate Community BANES, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the organisation mobilized to address the needs of BANES residents who were stranded by COVID-19 lock-down measures. Services provided include grocery shopping and prescription pick-up but really its all just helping people get by...including delivery of wellness packs and the recent "Compassion at Christmas" campaign. With COVID-19 restrictions easing, this service ended at the end of June 2021.

If you're in any doubt about the impact that you can make and how rewarding it can be to help your neighbours, take a look through some of the stories published here, all examples of people who wanted to help in 2020, as COVID-19 struck BANES.

Dan

"I started supporting the Covid-19 after I had my second jab and I wanted to give some back to the community"

Sue

"I've seen how a Community pulls together, and can find strengths from adversity."

Apurva

"Be kind and helpful towards others when you have the strength. You wouldn't know how meaningful just a simple kind act can be for others."

Simon

"The level of gratitude we got from the two people we were shopping for was definitely a stand-out moment for me."

Richard

"…and as if by magic Colin and another neighbour Kelly had popped a note through my door which I responded to and subsequently Team Turquoise unicorn was born."

Isabel

"I have developed a lovely friendship with a lady I've helped and we will stay in touch!"

Joshua

"I loved working with amazing people like Sarah, Vic and James, with Miles now joining the group as well...the people is what has made this experience for me"

Karen

"It's great to part of a team, especially this one: hard working, genuinely lovely people and a lot of fun. It's been amazing to see how much kindness there is out there."

Michael

"Talking to people on their doorsteps can add a little sunshine to what for many can be a dark and scary time"

Col

"I feel better when I'm useful not just filling my time for my benefit, I missed being part of and managing a team"

Liz

"It has been very rewarding, often quite hard, work and particularly enlightening about how much people need help in the community."

Evie

"From this fantastic experience, I have learnt a lot of new knowledge and a deeper understanding of the UK's culture."

Judith

"I realised that a local response was more effective and so signed up with the Compassionate Community."

Lynda

"I am fit enough to get my own shopping etc, but I wanted to help others."

Alison

"I have been humbled by the generosity of strangers."

Hayley

"It has made me see just how many amazing people we have in BANES who are willing to go that extra mile to help someone in need."

Vijay

"The volunteering opportunity offered me a purpose, something to look forward to each week."

Carl

"So many people are so close to things going wrong, when their support network falls over."

Margaret

"I knew I had to do something to help other people."

Sarah

"If everyone did a little bit to support others when they needed it, the world would be a better place."

Sarah

"I have been impressed by the gratitude of the residents."

Volunteer Spotlights

Volunteer Resources

Below are links to the resources we provide to guide how you carry out your volunteering responsibilites and outline how our commitment to making sure these activities are executed in a safe, fair and financially responsible manner.