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 is volunteering to support people 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.

On this page:

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 the NHS Inform website - Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering in Renfrewshire, go to the Engage Renfrewshire volunteers website. You can search and apply for current opportunities, or sign up to receive updates on new opportunities as they are listed.

You'll need an email address to sign up on the website. If you don't have an email address, you can call Engage Renfrewshire on 0141 887 7707.

If you are a community group looking for volunteers, or other guidance such as funding advice, governance, or organisation development, get in touch with Engage Renfrewshire on 0141 887 7707 or email info@engagerenfrewshire.com.

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.

Covid-19 Information for Emerging Local Groups [91KB]

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	Community Fridge in Moss Street shop	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
Glenburn Cares	As requested	Join the Facebook group

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
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 insecurity. Packages, meals, and delivery can be organised.	Contact Details: Jacqui Reid 07799 123002 Facebook Uniting EBI Twitter EBI unites Erskine's Community Website

Linwood, Houston, Brookfield, Bridge of Weir

Name of Group	Support available	Contact
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

Lochwinnoch Cares

Shopping service, prescription pick-up and telephone calls to prevent isolation

Lochwinnoch Cares or 07395 959055

Join the Facebook Group

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.

Where to find additional support

The following organisations and tools might be helpful:

Renfrewshire Council