Love in Action adapts

By Evelyn Leckie

COMMUNITY groups have quickly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by changing their services and keeping the community connected.

Love in Action, a group that started four years ago by four local couples have found innovative ways to keep up community support and connectedness.

The group traditionally helped supplying vulnerable families with food and household supplies, with the help of donations from the community.

Love in Action Broadford have drastically changed their services to help protect the spread of the virus by providing spread out pick up times at the Broadford Living and Learning Centre.

“Most of our volunteers are over 70, so we have had to stay at home,” founder Barbara Radford said.

“I’m still working behind the phone and taking orders, and the Mitchell Shire Council has helped us with a worker who is putting hampers together and leaving them in the centre’s foyer.

“We’re scheduling spaced out, contactless pick up times for each family.”

Ms Radford said the volunteers were also keeping in contact with the vulnerable and elderly residents over the phone to make sure they’re okay and have enough groceries.

Love in Action Wallan has had to suspend their food hamper deliveries due to the age group of volunteers.

“As much as it breaks our heart, we have a responsibility to our volunteers and the community,” co-founder Jeremy Scrivens said.

“Instead, we’re switching the focus on keeping people connected online.”

The Love in Action Wallan Facebook group has seen a flurry of activity, with the group’s admins posting community service updates, uplifting words of encouragement and educational tools for children.

“Barbara Radford who is a former educator at Assumption and St. Mary’s has been posting practical ideas on how to look after kids while at home and keep them occupied with gamed ideas and educational tools,” Mr Scrivens said.

He said the Wallan group would be up and running as soon possible.

“One thing this pandemic has done is forged new collaborations and relationships. The community has really come together, we’ll be back and running as soon as practicable.