UPDATED WITH WHATSAPP WARD LIST Brent Covid-19 Mutual Support Group joins nationwide movement

Dozens of ‘mutual aid’ groups have sprung up across the country to support those suffering from the effects and threat of the Coronavirus outbreak[1]. 68 groups have been set up online, with volunteers coordinating via WhatsApp and Facebook groups and offering people in self-isolation help with shopping, dog walking and picking up prescriptions. 

Brent Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Group is HERE and regularly updated with ward level information.

The groups, which are being coordinated nationally by ‘Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK’, have organised online meetings today, as well as taking to the streets to give people flyers describing the kind of support they are offering.[2] As well as practical support the groups are offering telephone calls with people who are self-isolating due to infection or increased vulnerability.

Anna Vickerstaff, one of the coordinators of the national network, said:

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or how much money we have, getting sick reminds us that at our core we’re all just human. And in every country it’s the old, the sick and those already struggling who will be affected worse. That’s why we set this network up - because we want to make sure that no one in our communities is being left to face this crisis alone, and because we want to try and redress some of the serious inequalities this outbreak will expose.

“Groups are being set up and run entirely by volunteers - and our hope is that they can help to make sure people who need support get it. With the NHS and public services having been so ruthlessly underfunded in the last decade, we really just want to make sure that people don’t end up suffering alone, or without the basics and support that they need from the outside world.

“There’s some pretty big questions about whether or not the government’s response to this crisis has been fit for purpose. So it’s even more important that so many ordinary people across the country are keen to offer solidarity to each other in a moment of need. We’d love to see even more communities get involved too - and we’re developing resources to help people take action in their neighbourhoods.” 

Contact: Kevin Smith on kevin@neweconomyorganisers.org 

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK social media channels: Twitter | Facebook

[1] A full list of groups is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18P898HWbdR5ouW61sAxW_iBl3yiZlgJu0nSmepn6NwM/edit#gid=1451634215

[2] An example of the flyers is above

Local WhatsApp Groups

Start a WhatsApp group for your ward and post the link as a comment under this post. Find out which ward you're in here: https://www.brent.gov.uk/gis-maps/constituencies-map/

Fryent & Queensbury Wards: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bn8Cy69ZwBx6q1LP0Wl7nZ
Welsh Harp Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FYn2vN9DpPQI1yuShQRRJS

Preston Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HJtBJ7J1qD4AlntPENQHoM

Sudbury Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bg55G0YkHwD8wzhM5dZPFe

Wembley Central & Tokyngton Wards: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LpiXo1PWhKo3E7N81ytMnY

Alperton Ward: http://bit.ly/AlpertonCommunity

Dollis Hill Ward:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/LVKL3OtAr5C8T4Q2ZdZMor

Dudden Hill Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GXkw2mPyFQGDrpFeI6OpKJ

Harlesden Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JaPl27n631hB9s7dsU4JRb

Stonebridge Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EPo4hiDPleJCzqxCHtu6aS

Kensal Green Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ErIH3qh58x9ItoloWMbPVm

Willesden Green Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HR4w5JBb54lIDnb1kKmgAv

Mapesbury Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KwsPFCaRykuBYbd13oee2C

Queens Park Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/InRvopV6bDN8xWpEMnwtwP

Brondesbury Park Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LY4Wop8q7MXEW7PdagoTfI

Kilburn Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BmhmzqqVoQjGstCRqnbaiJ

Neasden Ward: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K6dMaUFYLwD1jT2J0JLMJG?fbclid=IwAR0G5XxYQmhPDsZyoJ1wmiVig9PdjrfzLmD33aZZeTf5o2_nSDfD-9Hs2oc
Barnhill  https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gjs9fPraprdAwxStabFuCe?fbclid=IwAR1N06GuM2HB4h0T2bD2KW2FMry4aikpeOE2FvRqLlwrIvxH4vtpvLeuka8

Thanks to Ian Saville for this sign that people who are self-isolating may wish to place on their front door. (Click on bottom right corner to enlarge)