Covid-19 and lockdown support in Mousehole
7 October 2024
The Covid-19 pandemic brought incredible challenges to communities across the world, and Mousehole was no exception. With an elderly population, many of whom live alone, many people faced isolation and were not able to see friends and family. The Solomon Browne Hall stepped up and became a hub of support in the village.
From the first lockdown in 2020 we have provided support including co-ordinating volunteers to help people who were shielding and unable to leave their homes. We also delivered ‘Bags of Smiles’ to local people living alone, with small gifts, messages and pictures from local children and interesting information from the Mousehole Archive Group. This gesture was warmly welcomed by the people who received the gift.
We also administer a small grants scheme to help people in financial crisis and to reimburse volunteers on low incomes for costs they incurred during their volunteering.
To help people stay connected through technology we provided free IT support, which included helping people to use video calling and social media platforms to keep in touch. Many of these people had not used technology in this way before the pandemic, so our support was very welcome.
We also ran virtual events to help people stay connected including a talk from a local photographer and a popular on-line art class with local artist Lizzie Black.
Our support continued during subsequent lockdowns and when we could not get together in person for our traditional festive community meal, we delivered meals and gifts to people in their homes.
We have continued to support those in our community who need it most. From the very first lockdown in 2020 we became the hub of support in the village, and this has continued, with people contacting us for advice and help. We have been able to help by asking volunteers to support when needed or providing our own support, or linking people to the services or other sources of help that they need.
As well as helping the individuals in the community to access support and feel more connected, we are also now known as an important part in the wider community support network. For example, larger organisations and networks (e.g., Penzance Town Council and Volunteer Cornwall) have referred people to contact us when more locally specific help is needed.By attending our events or hiring the hall you are helping to fund our community projects. If you would like to make a donation you can do so here.
