FiSH Neighbourhood Care

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Since March most of our activities have been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Helpline - 020 8876 3414 - remains open and we are gradually reinstating some of our activities on a small scale.

Everyone should continue to follow Government advice, stay alert and help stop the spread of coronavirus. With the very gradual easing of lockdown, this is especially important. Stay alert and don't take risks so we can avoid a second wave of the virus.
Wash your hands with soap and water often.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, loss of taste or smell), use the 111 coronavirus service.

Volunteering

The situation concerning COVID19 continues to change and develop. We are hugely grateful for the many new volunteers who came forward at the start of the crisis. Some of these are now returning to work, so we need a second recruitment drive to ensure our work can continue for the duration... and beyond.

If you have time to spare now and are likely to have availability post-COVID we would love to hear from you.

As is our usual policy, all new volunteers will be asked to undergo a criminal records check and for the contact details of two referees.

An application form can be downloaded by clicking on the button below.

Volunteer Application Form

STOP Press!

FiSH is looking for a new Chair of Trustees

FiSH Open Gardens 2020

FiSH Helpline

The FiSH Helpine is open Monday to Friday from 9am - 1pm. Help with shopping, transport, gardening and small handyperson jobs can be arranged. If you, or someone you know, needs help please call our Helpline on 020 8876 3414 giving as much notice as possible.

Newsletters

Monthly newsletters are currently being sent to FiSH members. You can download copies here.
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020

Telephone Buddies

If isolation is getting to you and you would welcome a 'Telephone Buddy' to chat with, please call Liz on 020 8878 8100. A friendly chat about what was on TV last night or simply the antics of your pets can make all the difference right now!

Referrals

We are happy to receive referrals from GPs, social workers, district nurses, community mental health teams or concerned family members. Please call Liz on 020 8878 8100.

Anyone got a sweet tooth?

Desserts are always hugely popular at any lunch arranged by FiSH and volunteers, Penny and Faith, have been kept very busy in the Barnes Green kitchen in recent months whipping up mouthwatering roulades and crumbles! They've also produced a variety of savoury dishes and since lockdown began these edible delights, along with meals kindly donated by COOK in Barnes and East Sheen and also meals from the OSO Community Kitchen, have been distributed weekly to vulnerable people in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen. Amazingly over 1,200 meals have been delivered!

Thank you!

We are very grateful to Robyn Gilbert who has been raising money for FiSH and the NHS by holding a bring-and-buy sale in her front garden! She has raised £600 to be divided 50/50. What an amazing effort! Thanks Robyn!

Neighbourhood Care Groups

FiSH is one of eight neighbourhood care groups located within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. FiSH serves a population of 33,000 living in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen. We also support those living in TW10 who live between Clifford Avenue and Sheen Common Drive, and those living in SW15 who pay their Council Tax to Richmond Council.

If you live outside of these areas please contact your appropriate network:
Richmond - Richmond Good Neighbours
Kew - Kew Neighbourhood Association
Ham & Petersham - Ham & Petersham SOS
Twickenham & St Margarets - HANDS Care Group
Teddington & Hampton Wick - Teddington & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group
Whitton & Heathfield - Whitton Network
Hampton & Hampton Hill - Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care

For Roehampton & Putney please contact Age UK Wandsworth

"I have not volunteered with FiSH before and was really struck by how grateful the lady I helped was. You are doing a great job matching people in need with those of us able to help. Thank you. I am proud to be part of this community effort."
Alistair

“My goodness, I am so thrilled with the bag of meals you delivered this morning that it has made me cry. I didn’t have any Easter eggs, so finding those in the bottom is such a special touch. Thank you FiSH for all you are doing for us. What would we do without you all?”

Patchwork Project

We've come up with a little creative challenge for those of you who like sewing etc and may have a few hours to spare! The idea originally came from Adrienne, one of our FiSH volunteers, who suggested we could sew masks, but it developed into a project that is a little less useful but hopefully a bit more fun! Click here for details of how you can be involved.

Keep Fit and Active

Victoria Hutton teaches regular chair exercise classes for FiSH and Age UK in Mortlake and Barnes. She currently offers weekly online classes via Zoom some of which are particularly suited to the elderly or less mobile. If you know a neighbour, parent or grandparent who has a computer or tablet and would be interested in free exercise classes please contact Victoria by email or call her on 020 8876 2761 and she will get you linked up in no time. Theses sessions are free and will keep you smiling, fit and mobile during this unusual time. You don’t have to be in the London area to benefit. Relations and friends far and wide are welcome!

However, if you'd rather exercise on your own, we have developed a Chair Exercise sheet which you can download here.

Scams

During times of 'disaster' there are always the few who would seek to take advantage of the disadvantaged and this challenging time is no different. Many kind and generous people are offering help, but up and down the country there are reports of scams and criminal activity.

If you are offered help, please make sure it is coming from a reputable source. And please make sure your loved ones are aware of the danger of responding to unsolicited leaflet drops, phone calls or calls at the front door.