Sheffield charity sets up online coronavirus help tool

Voluntary Action Sheffield - which provides support and leadership for the voluntary sector - discovered a need for a central place where it could communicate the latest government advice regarding Covid-19, and updates on voluntary and community organisations.

VAS says: “The Sheffield COVID support map details support offered by street level groups such as mutual aid and community hubs. The map is live, and a work in progress; it points to where you can go to get information or support; or to offer to volunteer.”

The map has been developed with the help of Martin Fox from Sheffield Data for Good and Louis Koseda from Foodhall.

Mutual aid groups - self organised volunteers who are supporting local needs – are currently in operation in: S1 Mutual Aid, Burngreave Mutual Aid, Walkey Mutual Aid, Heeley Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group and Nether Edge Help Network.

Many of the groups have their own Facebook groups, where further information can be found.

Burngreave Mutual Aid has been set up to help people in the Burngreave area who need support to access food and complete errands, particularly those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

Fran Belbin, from the group, said: “Burngreave Mutual Aid is a local group linked to the main Sheffield Mutual Aid to share useful links, advice and information for those wanting to support each other through the coronavirus pandemic.”

Meanwhile, community hubs – registered charities and faith-based organisations - are already established in the city, some of which have been verified by VAS.

Those currently in operation include: Shelter, Age Better Sheffield, Manor and Castle Development Trust, ZEST community and Sheffield Flourish.

Further information can be found on their respective websites.

With this new map tool, communities will be able to help each other more easily and efficiently.

See The Sheffield COVID support map here.