As part of volunteers week it is important to acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers for the contribution they make to community life throughout the year in Aberdeen. The fantastic work has never been more evident than now as we face COVID-19, and Michelle is no exception to this. Please read her story in the words of Hamish Cattanach,Community Development Officer, highlighting how she is going above and beyond to help others.
Local Volunteer in Dyce
Michelle is local to the Dyce area and from the start of the COVID-19 lockdown she has been working tirelessly in her community to help those who need it most. In this case Michelle has stepped up to work with older adults in sheltered housing both in Berrymoss Court and Parkhill Courts. Michelle who is well known and trusted in her community carried out several tasks and activities to help tackle the fears and isolation felt even more deeply during the pandemic.
Michelle started by helping with shopping deliveries for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to go to the shops. So far Michelle has helped a total of 50 people in the local village out with the sheltered housing contact.
Every week Michelle has also organised a quiz where a paper copy was handed out for tenants to muse over and communicate with each other including friends and family about the questions. This has acted as a great distraction from the constant news about the coronovirus.
Also, Michelle acted as a sounding board and a caring ear which helped greatly with helping tenants put things into perspective and to reassure them. Fish and chips and other meals were also organised from local restaurants and Michelle would bring the meals round in trolleys and Michelle also organised entertainment with a concert and a piper (As per image below). Homemade masks were sourced locally and shared with tenants.
Michelle said: “A lot of people don’t have family and care packages I felt it was really important to provide as much support as I could to the elderly in my community, I also wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help from other volunteers in Dyce.”
