As I hope that you are now aware, the Parish Councillors along with members of the TCA (Thurgarton Community Association) and the WI have set up a community service group called Thurgarton Action Against Coronavirus or TAAC. This support service is available exclusively for Thurgarton residents who are self-isolating either through showing symptoms of the virus themselves or are caring for others, being in the over 70 age group or those at risk through medical conditions; and also to those who are feeling anxious or lonely and need a friendly neighbour to speak to.
With volunteers now in place (THANK YOU!) and discussions with Gonalston Farm Shop and GP surgeries completed, TAAC services will be available from Saturday 21st March. Let me now provide you more information.
Please Register
If you are self-isolating or need assistance, as described above, please register this by completing the TAAC Registration Form. Either:-
- Complete the Registration Form on-line which you will find at www.thurgarton.org.uk/taac/
- OR complete the paper copy of the Registration Form which you will find inside the latest Thurgarton People and return to TAAC via email taac@thurgarton.org.uk or by calling Tina on 830371
Be aware that you can register or de-register as your circumstances change.
TAAC Services
TAAC are now offering a variety of services to those in need in our Village Community over the coming weeks and months:-
- Food shopping – we have agreed a process with Gonalston Farm Shop / Budgens whereby volunteers will pick up and deliver shopping for TAAC users.
- Picking up and delivering repeat prescriptions – we have an agreed process in place with both Southwell Medical Centre and The Ivy surgeries in Lowdham and Burton Joyce
- Dog Walking – volunteers available to do this for you
- Posting mail – volunteers available to do this for you
- Well-being – a friendly chat – a variety of people are at your disposal
When you have registered with TAAC, by completing the Registration Form, as described above, we will send you comprehensive information as to what happens next.
Volunteers
All volunteers will be sent further information. I have documented how each of the services listed above are planned to work so that we are all delivering the same service in the same way. The need to be prescriptive will enable us to comply with the GP surgeries and Gonalston Farm Shop / Budgens. Whilst we now have about 20 volunteers (THANK YOU!) it is anticipated that this voluntary work will need to go on for a long time, so I’m still asking – if you would like to volunteer your time please contact me at taac@thurgarton.org.uk
How will this work?
Requests for service will be received by myself, the central co-ordinator, by email or phone from Registered parishioners who are in need, and I will then allocate these tasks to volunteers to action. By co-ordinating tasks centrally it will mean that multiple requests for the same services can be grouped together and undertaken in one go, hopefully avoiding multiple trips to Doctors’ surgeries, shops etc.
We will, of course, be following government guidelines, so there may be changes over time.
Tina Tsoukatos, TAAC Coordinator
Email taac@thurgarton.org.uk
Call 830371