This is a message being sent out to those who have been volunteering in the Council/Voluntary Action Leeds Hub.
We’re launching a new campaign in August as we move into the next stage of the UK’s COVID response, and we need your help! I know many of you have waited patiently to be called on, so I’m really excited by this – it’s something each of you will be able to get involved with as participants, and also in helping us get the word out. AND it’s been put together by two of our Community Cares volunteers!!
Scroll down to find out how you can help.
What is it?
The Twenty-Minute Timeout invites members of our local community to take at least 20 minutes out of their day or week for a socially distanced catch-up with a friend or neighbour.
Why are we doing this?
The idea behind the campaign is that lockdown may be easing, but we know many people are still feeling anxious about the idea of socialising and meeting people. We want to gently encourage people to take just twenty minutes out of each day or week to meet up with friends and neighbours face-to-face – in a socially distanced way – to help build up their confidence and gently ease them back into normality.
When’s it taking place?
The campaign launches on Saturday 1st August. Flyers will be delivered to as many doorsteps as we can reach with your help, as well as being shared across online platforms. We will be sharing ideas and inspiration throughout August on our @InteractCCP social channels, as well as through our local networks – including you!
How can you get involved?
First and foremost, join the campaign! Commit to spending twenty minutes each day or week to meet up with a friend or a neighbour.
Secondly, we’d love you to help us spread the word far and wide:
- Deliver leaflets
Moortown Baptist Church has been asked to deliver these leaflets to some of the streets around the church building. If you are local and have time could you help deliver some by contacting Kate in the church office.
- Share with your friends and neighbours. After the campaign has started, resource packs will be available from our website (www.interact.uk.net). They will contain ideas for inviting people to join in, a calendar of twenty-minute timeout activities, a poster you can display in your window, and a list of numbers and websites for support. Do download a pack and encourage others to do the same.
The campaign has been created by Community volunteer Lisa Farrell, who is currently on furlough from her marketing role. It’s been great to use Lisa’s skills in this way, and we would encourage any other volunteers to let us know about specific skills they have that they would like us to consider for future volunteering activities. Please reply to this email to let me know.
We’re really excited about this campaign, so I hope you’re able to get involved.
Ness Brown
InterACT Church and Community Partnership
07961 535 767