CORONOVIRUS PANDEMIC
- Everyone must now stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. You should only leave home to shop for necessities, for a short period of daily exercise, for a medical emergency or to provide care or help for a vulnerable person.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often.
- If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, use the 111 coronavirus service.
Most of our activities are currently cancelled until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Helpline remains open, however it is prioritising shopping and the delivery of food and medicines.
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Shopping
Do you, or someone you know, need help with shopping? If so, please call our Helpline on 020 8876 3414. We can help with ad-hoc shopping, or regular weekly shops during this period of lockdown. It is FiSH policy to obtain references and a criminal record check for all volunteers so, if they knock on you door, you know they can be trusted. All FiSH volunteers carry photo ID. Volunteers will be matched to those who need shopping and will call you beforehand for your list and for a friendly chat. They will try to shop in your preferred shop and for your chosen items where possible, although some flexibility may be required at this time. Priority will be given to members of FiSH and those over 70, although anyone living in Barnes, Mortlake or East Sheen who are currently self-isolating or being 'shielded' due to chronic illnesses or vulnerable household members is welcome to ask for help. 
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! 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 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. Patchwork Spring
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. 
Crumble anyone?
Thanks to the generosity of Malcolm at Two Peas in a Pod in Barnes, the partners at Waitrose East Sheen and also the sterling culinary efforts of volunteers Penny, Faith and Clare, 80 FiSH members have today received pudding to go with their meals from COOK Barnes. Thank you to all for your time and generosity! 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! |
“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?”
Keep Fit and Active
Victoria Hutton teaches regular chair exercise classes for FiSH and Age UK in Mortlake and Barnes. She offers various remote classes now by Zoom and would like to offer the same for the elderly or less able who are now confined to their homes. 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. |
