HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Covid-19 – How can you

support London’s most

vulnerable?

Dear Volunteers,

We hope you are staying healthy and happy in these difficult times!

This document collates ongoing efforts by individuals, non-profit organisations

and community groups supporting people most affected by Covid-19. We hope

to keep those willing and able to support local initiatives informed about safe

and accessible ways to help.

We emphasise the importance of keeping yourself and others safe. Please do

not attend an opportunity if you are showing any symptoms of the virus, are

living with someone showing symptoms, believe you’ve been in contact with

someone who has tested positive for the virus, or are in a high-risk category

required to self-isolate .There are still ways to offer support from your own

home!

In this document:

1. Protecting Yourself and Others

2. Joining your local Mutual Aid group

3. Ongoing efforts you can support

a. London-wide

b. North London

c. West London

d. South London

e. East London

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

1. Protecting Yourself and Others

Our charity partners are taking all measures possible to ensure ongoing

activities are safe, but please make sure you are up to date will all best

practice. Here are some useful links from the Government and the BBC:

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): UK Government Response

EASY STEPS: How To Keep Safe

A SIMPLE GUIDE: What Are The Symptoms?

CONTAINMENT: What It Means To Self-Isolate

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

2. Joining your local mutual aid group

Covid Mutual Aid UK is a group of volunteers supporting local community

groups organising mutual aid throughout the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK.

They focus on providing resources and connecting people to their nearest local

groups, willing volunteers and those in need.

Click here to find your nearest group!

▪ The Facebook groups tend to cover wider areas (boroughs) - keep an

eye out for posts showing ongoing efforts and links to more local

groups.

▪ With such a brilliant response from people willing to help at this crucial

time, it means that efforts can be much more localised. WhatsApp

groups have been set up in local communities and this is going to be

the most effective way to take action.

▪ Following the most recent information, minimal travel is advised. The

more we can connect people within local communities, the easier it

will be to support those who are most vulnerable and hard to reach.

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

3. Ongoing efforts you can support

a. London-Wide

Find and support your local Food Bank:

https://twitter.com/TrussellTrust/status/1238804651010592769

https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/volunteer/

http://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk/

Age UK – Find and support your local organisation:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/?fbclid=IwAR0c-39CfhlVpstV2coNr17tIZb73JlGSUWvvwos-TXqAcuOZkHTC4DFW4Q

City Harvest:

City Harvest is delivering food to charities still providing food for the vulnerable. WE NEED

VOLUNTEERS if you can help, please visit:

https://twitter.com/CityHarvest_LDN/status/1239530148447301632

https://timecounts.org/city-harvest

The Felix Project:

The Felix Project collects fresh, nutritious food that cannot be sold. We deliver this surplus food to

charities and schools so they can provide healthy meals and help the most vulnerable in our society.

https://thefelixproject.org/

https://thefelixproject.org/help-us/volunteer-london

FareShare:

Coronavirus outbreak: FareShare is calling for more funding, food and volunteers to effectively

respond to the Coronavirus outbreak and ensure those most vulnerable are not put at increased risk

of hunger.

https://fareshare.org.uk/news-media/press-releases/fareshare-calls-for-more-food-funding-and-

volunteers-to-support-vulnerable-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/

https://fareshare.org.uk/volunteer/

NCVO Volunteer Network:

Find your local Volunteer Centre –

https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-volunteer-centre

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

FoodCycle:

Vulnerable people across the country rely on FoodCycle meals and disruption to our services could

have adverse effects, which we would like to try and mitigate for as long as possible. We are

working as hard as we can to provide a weekly meal but this inevitably means a change in the way

we operate.

FoodCycle are currently still operating in: Bow Road, Finsbury Park, Kiburn, Marylebone, Hackney,

Lewisham, Norwood Junction, Islington and Peckham.

https://www.foodcycle.org.uk/news/service-update/

https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/

Dare to Care Packages:

Dare to Care Packages delivers essential items during trying times to vulnerable and isolated groups

to show compassion and support our neighbours in need. Become a volunteer - We're looking for

help in five areas:

• Sourcing – Do you know anyone helpful for procuring essential hygiene products and food

staples? If you want to donate resources yourself, see here:

https://daretocarepackages.com/become-a-supplier If you know any good suppliers, please

let them know about this website!

• Storage - Do you know any good storage spaces or have contact with any warehouse

facilities?

• Delivery - Can you help personally deliver care packages to those in need? Have contacts in

delivery companies?

• Making care packages - Can you help us put together care packages?

• Outreach - Can you help us get the word out? Have contacts with community centres

working with vulnerable people? Have good ideas about how to reach those in isolation?

https://daretocarepackages.com/become-a-volunteer/

Jewish Care:

Jewish Care is looking for people who can give some help to independently living elderly during the

Covid19 crisis. Please get in touch if you can help:

• Telephone befriending

• Basic shopping (such as milk and bread)

• Picking up medication

• Involvement in Jewish Care’s meals on wheels

We like to hear from you if you are well and have not been in contact with someone with

coronavirus and have not returned from an identified high risk area.

https://www.jvn.org.uk/jewish-care-131.php?oppid=3334 (Register to see more information!)

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

The National Care Force:

The National Care Force is a nationwide network of care providers, healthcare workers and

volunteers ready to support the most vulnerable members of our society through the challenges we

face due to coronavirus.

Register if you are a care provider, healthcare worker or want to volunteer to help the national

effort to support the most vulnerable. We'll in touch with next steps!

https://www.nationalcareforce.co.uk/#signup

Caritas Food Collective Standby Team:

We are all concerned about the possible impacts of the Coronavirus and the knock on effects this

could have for the most vulnerable in our society. One effect we are already seeing is the reduction

of donations to foodbanks and the lack of resources available to them due to ‘panic buying’ that has

been occurring.

The Caritas Food Collective wants to support projects that distribute the food to those most in need,

through this difficult time and will look to do so through our partnership with food distribution

charities.

However, many services may need an extra pair of hands during this time, whether that is due to a

lack of volunteers available or a need for people to pick up food from a wider range of places.

If you would be interested in adding your name to a list of people who would be willing to help

respond to this increase in need please contact us.

https://www.jvn.org.uk/caritas-westminster-7809.php?oppid=3332

Bankuet:

Donate a food bundle to your local food bank!

https://www.bankuet.co.uk/

OLIO - Become a Community Hero (Download the App):

In light of the ever-changing developments in response to coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to

reassure you that OLIO is very much still ‘open’ and sharing can safely continue between neighbours.

It has been confirmed by the NHS and the CDC it's very unlikely coronavirus can be spread through

things like packages or food.

https://help.olioex.com/article/201-coronavirus-q-a

https://olioex.com/order-community-hero-flyer-uk-only/

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

onHand:

Help made simple. We match volunteers to older adults who need help. We are working as hard as

we can to facilitate on-boarding all of our new volunteer sign-ups so that they can start helping out

and making a difference to people’s lives as soon as possible.

Keep an eye out for updates via the onHand app or on our Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

https://www.beonhand.co.uk/

World Harmony Orchestra:

Dear friends, you know that we launched our Cuppa concerts over the last winter in order to reach

out to isolated people who cannot easily go to concerts and would benefit from musical experiences.

We would like to provide the same service to people who are or will be self-isolating because of the

virus.

We believe there’s a way for us musicians to play music to those people if we do it just outside their

homes. They’d just have to open their door or window and listen to the music performed for them -

or even do it in their garden, with a safe distance of course. This would be individual performances,

not orchestral, for health/safety reasons.

• Can you help us developing this idea which seems to have a nice potential?

• Do you know any way of getting hold of addresses and contact details of people self

isolating?

• Any musicians out there interested?

Because professional musicians will have a difficult financial time ahead, we'd like to use some

money from the grant we received to pay musicians. Also, people self-isolating who receive the

musical offering can contribute by giving 'what-they-can' if they want to. Please message us on

Facebook or email us: info@worldharmonyorchestra.com

Local Helpers:

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is forcing many people to self-isolate. This site is here to

connect people in affected communities to support one another with essential tasks like food

shopping or collecting medicine. Please share this tool and help connect more vulnerable people in

your community.

https://localhelpers.org/

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

b. North London

Camden

Age UK Camden:

Age UK Camden are receiving a significant number of calls from older people in distress because

they haven't enough food at home and are too nervous to go out. Volunteer for the Emergency Food

Parcels Project!

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/get-involved/coronavirus-appeal/

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/AUCamdencoronavirusappeal

Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, Euston, WC1H 9NA

Little Village Camden:

Little Village have had to temporary close drop-in sessions, but in an effort to continue to support as

many families as possible, we are moving to a delivery service. This role would involve picking up

bundles of gifts from our site and driving them to families' homes.

If you're interested and available we would ask that you please fill out this short online form and we

will be in touch with more details as soon as possible.

https://littlevillage.typeform.com/to/Fn5QHU

Camden Town Refugee Community Kitchen/Streets Kitchen:

WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS – 19:30

Evening outreach near Camden Town tube station, NW1 8QL. Hot food, bedding, clothes and other

essentials are available. View map. | Join the Facebook group. Hot food is provided by RCK.

Haringey

Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen:

The Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen is still open! They are offering a takeaway service and are still in need

of volunteers to cook, package up food parcels, serve and clear up. Drop me an email to

matt@handsonlondon.org.uk if you’re able to support! The Soup Kitchen are open Monday-

Thursday and Sundays.

Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen has called for donations of cartons and bottles of drinks, as well as items

in small single-serve packs which can be given out in takeaway bags. Items can be dropped off during

the day at Muswell Hill Baptist Church, where the soup kitchen is based.

Recent Article

2 Dukes Ave, Muswell Hill, London N10 2PT

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Brent

Sufra:

Donate your time to Sufra to support their activities, or contribute in other ways to help ease the

pressure.

https://www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

https://www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/2020/03/11/sufra-launches-coronavirus-emergency-appeal/

160 Pitfield Way, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 0PW

Hertsmere

Hertsmere Mencap:

We are looking for volunteers who can help us calling our members to have a conversation, enquire

after their wellbeing and to find out if they have everything they need during this difficult

Coronavirus situation. This role will be based in our office in Borehamwood.

https://www.jvn.org.uk/hertsmere-mencap-11474.php?oppid=3333 (Register for more

information!)

Goods for Good:

Drivers to collect and deliver goods during Covid - 19 pandemic. We are looking for volunteers

collect goods such as hygiene goods and clothing from our Borehamwood facility and deliver them

off to the local refugee and asylum seekers drop-in centres.

Due to the risk of Covid-19 on our volunteers and employees we have to limit out local operations.

However we are still keen to reach our communities most vulnerable people and deliver essential

goods such as hygiene items; the need is more than ever.

If you can help us deliver these goods and ensure we can carry on our local work please get in touch.

(Volunteers aged 21 and over)

https://www.jvn.org.uk/goods-for-good-4885.php?oppid=2799 (Register for more information!)

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

c. West London

Kensington & Chelsea

Age UK Kensington & Chelsea:

Potential Upcoming Opportunities to volunteer. Urgent basic supplies needed!

https://twitter.com/AgeUKKandC/status/1239952326091321344

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/covid-19

1 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5XL

Glassdoor:

Due to changes to our service due to the outbreak of coronavirus, we need some last-minute helpers

here at Glass Door Homeless Charity. We need cooks and general support volunteers to help at

Chelsea Methodist Church (155A King's Rd, Chelsea) on the following dates:

• Wednesday 25 March

• Wednesday 1 April

We need cooks to prepare and make meals from around 5.30pm to 8pm. We also need general

support volunteers to set tables, make drinks, serve and clear meals, wash up and provide a warm

welcome to people experiencing homelessness. General support volunteers are needed from around

6.30pm to 10pm.

https://mailchi.mp/06172692b4f8/shelters-to-open-in-richmond-meet-eddie-and-more-6392252

Urgent basic supplies needed! https://www.glassdoor.org.uk/things-we-need

155A King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5TX

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea:

We are now working remotely in response to the emergency situation. All of our programmes are

operational, and we are coordinating with community partners, the local and health authorities.

To offer your time as a volunteer during the emergency please click here.

https://www.voluntarywork.org.uk/

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Westminster

North Paddington Food Bank:

People working together to help those experiencing hardship in North Westminster and parts of

Kensington & Chelsea and Brent. The Food Bank are in need of support now more than ever.

Join the twitter group and check out the sign up sheet:

https://twitter.com/NPFoodbank/status/1239156490860138497

The NP Food Bank will be undertaking home deliveries in the current climate rather than keeping the

centre open. What you can do to help prepare for this:

If you have an update DBS check (an annually recurring DBS check), please send over a copy if you

would like to be able to do home deliveries. We need to balance responding to need with

safeguarding and best practice. If you do not have one (or only have one that was gained for a

specific role that would not be applicable for this) then also let us know and we can start the process

to get you DBS checked asap.

To get things started, you will still be able to do home deliveries with a staff member or a DBS

checked volunteer.

http://npfoodbank.org.uk/donate

North Paddington Food Bank, Selbourne House, Ground Fl, 36A Elgin Ave, North O London W9 3AZ

Volunteer Task Force Kingston:

SW LONDON Volunteer Task Force - Based in Kingston - Uniting young people and willing volunteers

in response of Covid-19.Get Involved today:

https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerTaskForceUK/

https://twitter.com/KingstonVTF2020

Hammersmith & Fulham

Estate Community Gardens:

We would like to offer opportunities for any keen gardeners that are not experiencing any Covid19

symptoms, to offer an hour or two of individual volunteering in the below community gardens on

White City Estate Community Centre.

In this time of social isolation, we have found many of our regular individual volunteers are still

looking for opportunities to support the community in close proximity to their home. With parks,

open spaces and community gardens still providing great support for peoples mental health and

wellbeing, we felt we would like to open some safe and low pressure community gardening

opportunities during this difficult time.

Follow Idverde’s Twitter Feed for information on similar projects.

Here is the link to the TASK PLAN for more details on the project. Please drop an email to

matt@handsonlondon.org.uk

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

d. South London

Lambeth

Age UK Lambeth:

As with everyone else, and with heavy hearts, we at Age UK Lambeth are beginning to limit some of

our usual activities. Over the last 24 hours, we have had to stop doing home visits and face to face

appointments. We’ve closed down our centre, Vida’s, and ceased MYsocial events.

We have taken these actions as we don’t want to do anything that might risk the health of the

people who use our services and the staff & volunteers who provide them.

So, we’re working our way through, trying to ensure that we can continue to support some of our

most vulnerable citizens. The most important thing is that we find - sometimes creative - ways to

carry on as best we can.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/lambeth/covid-19/togethercampaign-1.pdf

Brixton Soup Kitchen:

Brixton Soup Kitchen support anyone in need of a meal and trying to reach as many people as

possible during this difficult time.

Help to cook and deliver food between 10am and 2pm everyday. Email Solomon in advance to agree

a slot for you to go: brixtonsoupkitchen@gmail.com

https://brixtonsoupkitchen.org/

297-299 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8RP

Clapham Common Streets Kitchen:

TUESDAYS 19:30

Evening outreach on the grass next to Joe’s Pizza/ opposite Waitrose. 8-1, The Pavement, London

SW4 0HY. View map. | Join the Facebook group.

Brixton Pound:

Potential opportunity helping with home deliveries.

Facebook Page

https://twitter.com/brixtonpound

The Brixton Pound Cafe, 77 Atlantic Road, Brixton, SW9 8PU

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Wandsworth

Wandsworth Council:

By completing our online form, you will be partnered with key groups, including Age UK

Wandsworth, who will allocate you to volunteering tasks. These may include:

• Shopping for food/supplies

• Delivering food/supplies to vulnerable residents

• Picking-up and delivering prescriptions

• Having a friendly phone conversation with those at risk of loneliness when in isolation

• Walking dogs for those self-isolating

• Supporting with critical transport needs

• Helping with digital skills coaching

Tooting Streets Kitchen:

MONDAYS 19:30 to 20:30

Evening outreach outside the Iceland by Tooting Market. Hot food, dessert snacks, hot and cold

drinks, some clothing where possible. 25-27 Tooting High St, Tooting, London SW17 0SN. View

map. | Join the Facebook group.

Southwark:

St George the Martyr:

We run a small charity that supports around 260 pensioners in Borough, Bankside, Walworth and Newington (SE17).

We are in the process of contacting them all by phone to identify those that are particularly

vulnerable in the event of a 'lock down', i.e. no family nearby and/or no social support networks to help them get food in or collect prescriptions.

If any support groups are operating in those areas and would be willing and able to help, please e-mail me: clerk@stgeorge1584.org.uk. For info about our charity see below:

https://www.stgeorgethemartyrcharity.com/

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

e. East London

Hackney

Made in Hackney:

With our classes paused, help us to switch to a FREE food home delivery service - taking healthy,

nourishing food direct to the doorsteps of our most vulnerable community members.

Get in touch if you feel you’re able to help!

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/made-in-hackney-4

https://madeinhackney.org/contact

3 Cazenove Rd, Cazenove, Hackney, London N16 6PA

Hello Hackney – Community IT Drop-In:

The whole point and purpose of the drop-in project is real-world social inclusion — explicitly

counteracting the social distancing of the virtual world. But now we have to counteract the really

serious effects of social distancing implied by the COVID-19 crisis.

So we are going to fast-forward existing plans to offer an online drop-in and online learning to older

people who are isolated at home. That might be all of us soon.

• Real world drop-in will be replaced with scheduled GSuite Meet sessions.

• These will be group sessions, so people can see familiar faces and hear familiar voices.

• Our users (at home) will all have GSuite accounts to make access easier.

As always the most effective volunteers will be those who want to make human connections and

help other people to feel at home in some way, The digital skills implied are minimal.

There are still lots of details to work out – we’ll keep you updated. Please reach out to me if this is

something you could help with… matt@handsonlondon.org.uk

https://blog.hellohackney.net/2020/real-world-drop-in-closes-virtual-drop-in-starts-soon/

Hackney Refugee Community Kitchen/Streets Kitchen:

THURSDAYS 20:00

Evening outreach outside Hackney Central Library, 25-27 Hackney Grove, London E8 3NR, nearest

tube is Hackney Central. View map | | Join the Facebook group. | Hot food is provided by RCK.

Dalston Streets Kitchen:

SATURDAYS 20:00

Evening outreach opposite Dalston Kingsland tube station, E8 2PA. Hot/cold food and drinks, plus

bedding, clothes and other essentials may be available. View map | Join the Facebook group.

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Jamming for Change:

SUNDAYS 16:00 to 18:00

Outside Shoreditch High Street station, Braithwaite street with warm food and drinks. Vets are

available to see street pets 16:30 – 17:00-ish. Bring musical instruments to join in the jam. View

map. | Join the Facebook group.

Tower Hamlets

GrowTH:

We at GrowTH are taking the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously and are

reviewing our response each day as the situation develops and as new advice is given. We are

doing all we can to protect guests, volunteers, staff and the public from infection, and will continue

to do so.

Let’s keep going - For the time being, we are encouraging volunteers to continue helping out at the

shelter if they are not displaying any symptoms of coronavirus (mainly a dry cough and/or fever). We

have put extra measures in place to ensure good hygiene is maintained in the shelter). So far, none

of our guests have displayed symptoms.

https://twitter.com/GrowTHshelter/status/1239880749291048961

http://thisisgrowth.org/coronavirus/

302 The Highway, E1W 3DH London

Whitechapel Mission:

The Whitechapel Mission has been serving the homeless and marginalised for 143 years, and it

remains open and serving. If you’re nearby and feel you could help them, get in touch!

https://whitechapel.org.uk/volunteer/overview

https://twitter.com/whitechapelmiss/status/1239994157323649026

212 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

Newham

The Magpie Project:

• Make a donation

• Shop

• Sort and Pack MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY

• Home Deliveries

https://www.facebook.com/magpieprojectuk/photos/rpp.162323860957902/791567124700236/?t

ype=3&theater

https://themagpieproject.org/

The Magpie Project, The Lodge, Forest Lane Park, E7 9DF London

Greenwich:

Volunteer Centre Greenwich:

Volunteer Centre Greenwich are working with @Royal_Greenwich to coordinate a large volunteer

team across the borough. Volunteers will help to support at risk and vulnerable people through

these difficult times. Would you like to get involved?

Sign up HERE!

Studio 338:

We are in the process of early planning to make 338 into a temporary foodbank/storage/distribution

centre during the weekdays to bring food to elderly and vulnerable people in South London. Right

now, one of the main priorities for us is to ensure that people who are most at risk are not forced to

go out and can stay at home and have essentials brought to them there.

This is in planning stages now and so I would love to hear from:

- People who have charity management experience. Particular in food banks or homeless shelters or

elderly charities.

- Any companies, especially our sponsors who would like to contribute financially or with resources.

- People who would have spare time to help organise, stock and store food in the club and also

distribute it to peoples homes.

https://www.facebook.com/events/235703227828316/

Please email wcbh@studio338.co.uk to pitch in.

HandsOn London | 38 Turner Street, Whitechapel |London | E1 2AS | Charity No: 1140291

A final note…

This time of crisis is going to be a marathon not a sprint. In order to continue to support

community projects now and into the future, we have to ask something we wouldn’t usually

ask of our supporters.

If we have the financial capacity, we can scale our response and support to our local

communities and continue our work to #BeTheChange we want to see. If you are able to

support us financially at all, please text BETHECHANGE to 70450 with the amount you wish

to donate. This money will allow us to continue our work to support our partners with

volunteers remotely and flexibly during this difficult time. We thank you for your continued

support and generosity – we and our charity partners wouldn’t be where we are today

without you.

Text BETHECHANGE 5 to 70450 to donate £5

Texts cost a total of your donation plus one standard rate message. If you'd like to change

the amount you donate substitute the number 5 for any other number e.g for £3 text:

BETHECHANGE 3

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS,

You are amazing!