Newsletter 21/07
Read our latest update on what's happening in our town with Covid-19 and actions being undertaken to help us all going forward.
With many of us now enjoying freedoms not experienced for months, we felt it would be a good moment to update everyone on what’s happening locally to help keep our community strong, and how HEART hopes to build on what we – and you – have achieved.
LATEST COVID-19 STATISTICS
Theories abound, but now University research has been commissioned into why Hastings has experienced one of the lowest rates of Covid-19 in the UK.
Latest figures produced by East Sussex’s Public Health Team report the town has seen only 138 cases since the start of the pandemic. This is significantly lower than both the UK average and our near neighbours in Rother and Eastbourne.
The picture in Hastings’ care homes is similarly positive, with only 8 reporting any cases of a total 66 in the Borough. By comparison, Eastbourne reported cases in 44% of its 66 care homes.
It’s no time to be complacent, however. The virus is still with us, so take precautions, wear masks, and keep your social gatherings to a minimum.
YOU’RE STILL VERY MUCH NEEDED
It may be good news on the outbreak front, but our town’s precarious economic state means HEART volunteers are still very much in demand. New research by Loughborough University reports the highest rise in child poverty in the South East, with over a quarter of children now living in poverty.
Hastings Foodbank recently asked HEART to find new drivers to deliver vital food supplies across the town. Overnight, a staggering 21 of you stepped up to help! Thank you for everything you are doing to support people in our community!
BUDDYING SCHEME FOR THE SHIELDERS
For months, HEART volunteers have been looking after people in need across our town. Now, as some of the most vulnerable are venturing outdoors for the first time, we’re launching a Buddying scheme to make it all a little less scary.
This might be accompanying people on shopping trips, taking a walk outdoors, or simply just being there for a chat about how to stay safe in a very different new world. If you’d like to ‘Be a Buddy’ to someone in need, let us know on our Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HastingsHEART
FOOD FOR THE FUTURE
It’s a tragic fact that the onset of Covid-19 meant many in our community were finding food one of the biggest struggles – whether getting supplies or simply affording it due to their circumstances. We feel this is wrong, so we’re planning to do something about it. HEART is teaming up other groups to develop a Community Food Growing Project to get great food to those who need it most. We’ll be posting information on how to get involved on our website and Facebook Group so keep an eye out for updates.
HEART NEEDS HELP TOO
HEART’s Coordinators are some of the busiest people in our community and, as lockdown eases, they’ve been the first to return to work. Can you help us? It only takes an hour or two once a week, matching a volunteer with a request for urgent help. If you think you could be a HEART Co-ordinator please contact lorraine@hastingsheart.co.uk You could really make a difference.
THE BIG DISCUSSION
HEART is a true Mutual Aid organisation. That means everyone’s views count on how best we can help keep our community strong. That’s why we’re planning a BIG DISCUSSION so you can have your say. We’ll post details of how YOU can join in this online forum in the coming weeks, so if you’ve got a good idea for a project, or how our amazing network of volunteers might best focus on helping our community let us know! info@hastingsheart.com
Thanks for keeping the faith!
The HEART team
Keep up to date by returning to the LATEST section on our website, follow our Facebook Group, or follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
Need to update your status? Please click on this Heart Volunteer Update form.