As a nation are we forgetting a group of #olderpeople in our response to #covid19?

Those who are isolating, but are typically socially active, community members, (who typically keep our voluntary sector going).

At this time, lots of remote volunteering requires access to tech

Yet many of these individuals are very knowledgeable about their communities. They have existing rapports, understanding & key skills

I believe it's important we include these individuals. I have been working with a group of @FoodTrainScot vol who have volunteered for 6+ years

Due to guidance for 70yo+ these individuals are not able to shop or deliver food, but are now supporting with weekly phone call #befriending chats.

We have adapted the volunteering to ensure even without tech (e.g. spreadsheet access etc) ppl can be involved @FoodTrainScot

One individual -6yrs volunteering @FoodTrainScot "I am also quite isolated,I'm not going anywhere" He usually volunteers once a week delivering food. He's now phoning ppl for a chat &is able to support in a dif capacity- expressing feelings of self-worth, value, from his new role

We must recognise the individual within #volunteering, roles can be adapted, skills can be utilised in dif. ways & this can be mutually beneficial to the volunteer & the individual benefitting from the volunteers' work. Especially for ppl who are typically active in the community