In March 2020, the community associations in Innerwick, Oldhamstocks, Spott and Stenton worked with East Lammermuir Community Council (ELCC) to organise help for neighbours during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2020 – neighbours helping neighbours
On 26 March the associations reported that resilience response cards were being delivered across East Lammermuir. Each village recruited its own volunteers. Residents could ask someone to pick up shopping or urgent supplies, post a letter, make a friendly phone call or help them find advice. Each card gave residents a local point of contact.
April 2020 – a support card for every household
For the week beginning 27 April, ELCC prepared a second card for delivery to households, with a version for each village. Alongside the reminder about volunteer help, the card listed places to find advice and reassurance, including NHS Inform and Citizens Advice Scotland. It also suggested activities for families at home, from online theatre to quizzes and games.
Read the April 2020 community support card – archive summary (PDF). This reading copy brings together the information shared across the four village editions.
The ELCC COVID-19 Community Support Fund
ELCC set up the fund for East Lammermuir residents who needed financial or other support as a direct result of the pandemic. The April card introduced the fund. The council made guidance and an application form available online, and residents could ask a community councillor for paper copies. Completed forms could be returned electronically, by hand or by post.