Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) is working with GoodGym to support residents who are unable to get to the supermarket or pick up prescribed medicines during the COVID-19 outbreak.
GoodGym operates nationwide and encompasses local groups of runners who combine good deeds with exercise: they run to a location, perform the task and run home. Runners can log onto the GoodGym website to see and sign up to runs/opportunities in their community.
During the current Coronavirus situation, volunteer runners are delivering food and essential items to those that need it.
Mandy Worster, Volunteer programme manager at NHG, said: “This is a difficult time for all of us but particularly for our older and vulnerable residents.
“We have agreed to provide GoodGym with details of any residents that have told us that they are struggling to collect food shopping and prescribed medicines, and have said that they are happy to have volunteers deliver these items to their home.”
In the past, Goodgym runners have assisted NHG with clearing an allotment at one of our supported schemes in Lambeth, paving the way for a plaque unveiling at another scheme in Brixton and helped out at our Open House Weekend at another scheme in Islington.
Alex Kenmure, Head of business development at GoodGym, said: “We are currently focusing our attention on providing essential support to vulnerable people during this crisis and supporting the organisations and people that provide this support. We will work with our partners to ensure that risks are minimised and that we are able to make a contribution to supporting those who are isolated and lonely. We are not sure of how many referrals we will receive but we know the demand is high.”
Good Gym has runners in 58 boroughs across the UK and over 700 volunteers have signed up to support this initiative so far. All volunteers are background checked and will receive specific training in light of COVID-19 to ensure they can keep both themselves and residents safe when out and about.
Mandy Worster continued, “For as long as the social restrictions remain in place, our staff will continue to refer to GoodGym any residents that have given their consent, with priority given to older and vulnerable people.
“We hope that our residents find this service useful and would like to thank GoodGym for their continued support.”
If you are interested in receiving a delivery from GoodGym, please contact your housing or property management officer, or your support worker.
For more information, see www.goodgym.org/reports/missions