Another week, another wave of support options to help people through these lockdown days have just been announced.

We’ve been charting the work of local volunteers, support groups and services ever since the Covid-19 restrictions kicked in, and it’s heartening to see that Greystones’ goodwill hasn’t waned.

And now, local garda Maria Curtis supreme has been in touch about some new initiatives and old favourites, to remind Greystonians that there’s always somewhere to turn should you hit a dead end.

Nice.

Over to Maria…

This week, Greystones has been allocated a Community Engagement vehicle so look out for it going around Greystones. We also have a Greystones Community Policing mobile phone allocated to keep in touch with people during this pandemic. That mobile number is 0871328727.

1. Remember, the Wicklow County Council COVID-19 Emergency number is 1800868399 or email CovidSupport@wicklowcoco.ie

2. Greystones Resource Centre Sarah MacArtain Coordinator Greystones Family Resource Centre – 28 Burnaby Court, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Ph: 0879176401 – was on. They know that there are a lot of support for people who are older but want to reach out to younger families that need extra support – maybe a loan of a tablet if they have one spare, or linking an organisation they are in contact with with the family.

3. Lidl This is a nice initiative from Lidl which should help to alleviate any problems regarding having cash for shopping. ‘Starting Thursday, May 7th, customers can purchase a Lidl Community Gift Card, up to the value of €200, by calling the Lidl hotline on 1800111124. They will then receive a code via email or text message which they can share with family members, friends or a volunteer who can utilize this code to purchase their shopping at Lidl. More information on Lidl Community Cards can be found on their website here‘.

4. GAA clubs all around the country have linked in with their local Supervalu to and here in the Charlesland and the greater Greystones area Eire Óg are committed to helping people who are over 70 and vulnerable who are unable to shop. Text your name and number to 0892158095 between 9am to 3pm to organize next day delivery

5. Day Break in Eden Gate You can ring the shop number 012878165 and arrange a delivery to your door.

6. Food Poverty is defined as the inability to access a nutritionally adequate diet and according to SafeFood, is a significant issue for many people on the island of Ireland. In Ireland there are a number of people and families suffering from food poverty. We would ask that you contact leah@volunteerwicklow.ie if you have any evidence on how and why this is happening in your community. It could be as simple as someone being unable to cook, or without access to a cooker, finding budgeting difficult, to the more serious issue of lack of food.

7. Age Actions’ Getting Started Kit supports older people to keep in touch with their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. We all are feeling the effects of social distancing, and older people are particularly impacted being asked to cocoon at home. Now it is more important than ever to keep in touch with family and friends so Age Action has a new Getting Started programme The Age Action Getting Started Kit materials are available to download or people can call 018730372 leave their name and address and Age Action will post the How to Guides within 10 days.

You can find more local services and supports right here, and check out our full list of emergency numbers and contacts here.