Last updated: Friday 15 January 2021
Communities, charities and volunteering during coronavirus
How you can take care of yourself and others, volunteering, local community groups, funding for community groups, additional support.
With national and local partners, we would like to thank everyone who has signed up to volunteer and who are volunteering to support people at this time in neighbourhoods across Renfrewshire.
Volunteers are playing a key role in helping support people through this pandemic and will continue to play a critical role as communities begin to reconnect, renew and recover in the months ahead. If you feel you can still help, the Engage Renfrewshire COVID 19 Volunteer Reserve Bank is still open.
On this page:
- Taking care of ourselves and others
- Volunteering
- Volunteering safely
- Local community groups
- Funds to help third sector organisations and community groups
- Where to find additional support
Taking care of ourselves and others
We know that many of you are ready and willing to support those who are experiencing hardship. There has been a tremendous outpouring of kindness from groups and individuals across Renfrewshire.
But it's important that you only help if you are well.
To make sure you're up-to-date with the latest health advice, check here: NHS Inform website - Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Volunteering
Covid-19 Renfrewshire Volunteer Reserve
Volunteer roles emerging in Renfrewshire include:
- Food support
- Prescription delivery
- Care support
- Online / telephone support
- Administrative support
Apply to join the new Volunteer Reserve and you could be helping out in one of these roles when safe to do so.
Register your interest here: Engage Renfrewshire website.
British Red Cross
You can also help health and public services by volunteering to join the British Red Cross as a Community Reserve Volunteer.
You can sign up here: British Red Cross website.
NHS Careers
Many health and social care workers across Scotland are volunteering to return to work and help tackle this crisis.
You can join them by registering your interest here: NHS Careers Covid-19 Recruitment.
Volunteering safely
Before offering your support, please make sure it is safe for you to do so.
Ready Scotland has some great safety guidance and planning tools:
If you are involved in a local community group, we would encourage you look at our Information for Emerging Local Groups (see Related Documents or use the link below). This has the latest guidance from Engage Renfrewshire on how you can safely and responsibly carry out your support duties.
Please check the NHS Inform website for the latest guidance on infection control.
Local community groups
Renfrewshire-wide
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Renfrewshire Council COVID-19 Response Team | Helpline to provide essential assistance, such as collecting food and medicine, to those who do not have a network of support, but who may be at increased risk if they contract coronavirus (COVID-19) | Local assistance line 0300 300 0230 National helpline 0800 111 4000 |
Carers Centre | Support for carers | 0141 887 3643 |
The Community Fridge and Community Cabinet Paisley | Care packs of food, access to fresh, healthy foods and a delivery service to homes in hardship during the lockdown | 07843 702003 or contact Rekz on Facebook |
Food Train | Shopping service for people over 65. Orders placed on a Monday and shopping delivered as soon as possible that week. Cost is £5 per delivery. | 0141 887 2557 or renfrewshire@thefoodtrain.co.uk |
Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) | Support with mental health | 0141 847 8900 or contact on Facebook |
Renfrewshire Foodbank | Provision of 3 days emergency supply of nutritionally balanced food for families and individuals throughout Renfrewshire. The foodbank distributes in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. | 0300 102 2500 or info@renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk |
ROAR - Connections for Life | Shopping, medicine collection & wellbeing phone calls - by assessment | 0141 889 7481 or email ROAR |
STAR Project | As requested | Email Star Project / Heather or call 0141 889 5850 |
Paisley
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Ferguslie Group | As requested | 073099862681 or Ferguslie Group |
Glenburn Cares | As requested | Join the Facebook group |
Gockston and Shortroods Community Assistance | Join the Facebook group or call Alice McBride (Engage Renfrewshire) on 07903 431772 | |
Mossvale Community Church | Shopping, wellbeing phone calls, pastoral support | 07860 015454 or email info@mossvalecommunitychurch.co.uk |
Renfrew
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Our Place, Our Families | As requested | Our Place Our Families or 0141 258 5206 |
Johnstone and Elderslie
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Corseford Tenants & Residents Association | Provision of emergency essentials; collect prescriptions / power top-ups; shopping service for vulnerable residents on Mondays & Thursdays. | Call 07960 918424 or email johnstonecovidhelp@hotmail.com |
Elderslie Cares | As requested | Join the Facebook group |
Spateston Tenants & Residents Association | Shopping, prescription collection and other emergency essential services to local residents | Email community.spaces@outlook.com |
Erskine, Bishopton, Langbank & Inchinnan
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
EBI Unites | Assistance to those experiencing Food or Fuel insecurity packages |
|
Looking After Our Neighbours in Bishopton | Support network | Join the Facebook group |
Langbank Volunteer Support | As requested | Call the Support Group Co-ordinator on 07776 238013 or the Community Council Secretary on 07552 965317 |
Linwood, Houston, Brookfield, Bridge of Weir
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Bridge of Weir Coronavirus Community Assistance Group | Online community | Facebook Group |
Houston Volunteers | Shopping (including online shopping), prescription pick-up or a friendly chat | Email Rev. Gary Noonan or Frankie Greenwood at Houston Kirk |
Kilbarchan, Howwood & Lochwinnoch
Name of Group | Support available | Contact |
Howwood Emergency Amateur Response Team (HEART) | As requested | Online contact form |
Lochwinnoch Cares | Shopping service, prescription pick-up and telephone calls to prevent isolation | Lochwinnoch Cares or 07395 959055 |
Get in touch with us
Please use the Renfrewshire Community Planning digital channels to tell us, and each other, what you are doing to support your local community over the coming weeks and months.
Follow us on:
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Funds to help third sector organisations and community groups
You can find out more about funding for Scottish charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises by visiting our Support for business page.
Where to find additional support
The following organisations and tools might be helpful:
- Engage Renfrewshire
- Ready Scotland
- Scottish Government Support for Third Sector
- Scottish Community Development Centre
- OSCR Scottish Charity Regulator: Covid-19 Guidance for Charities
- Foundation Scotland
- Community Councils Scotland
- Helpfulpeeps
- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
- National Lottery Community Fund
- COVID Mutual Aid
- Viral Kindness Postcard
- Befriending Networks: COVID-19 Support
- Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH)
- Who Cares? Scotland: Coronavirus Support
- Inspiring Scotland: Free charity support service
- Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland: Fighting Coronavirus with Kindness
- Neighbourhood Watch Scotland
- RoSPA: Accident Free, Avoid A&E
- Food Standards Scotland: Food package provision during Covid-19
- Scotland Loves Local