Empathy in a Time of Crisis – 2
Team Empathy Journal – Part Two.
We are blogging about this time of global crisis, from the perspective of a voluntary team, and on a more personal level. Thanks for reading!
As we near the end of our second week in lockdown, and as the Covid -19 crisis continues to unfold here in the UK and across the world, at Empathy Action we have been keeping ourselves busy, while remaining socially distant.
It has been a challenging week – the news is grave and the numbers of those affected increase daily. Our empathy and compassion are with those who are suffering and those who are working so valiantly within our amazing NHS and outside to help them.
Sometimes, in our homes, though it is difficult to know what to do, exactly how to help. Jacinda Ardern describes beautifully the importance of our role in this she says: “you may not be at work but that does not mean you don’t have a job. Your job is to save lives, and you can do that by staying home and breaking the chain.” It is important to remember that our very act of remaining at home, following the guidelines issued by the Government, is itself a help. We are protecting not only ourselves but those around us and the NHS.
There are other actions that we can take too, whether it is greeting our neighbours from a socially acceptable distance, smiling as we pass by someone on our daily walk, appreciating the signs of Spring that continue to unfold outside and continuing to practise Radical Kindness. Each one is a positive, a little light to be gleaned from each day.
Yet there are many people who are vulnerable during this crisis. There are those who suddenly have no income or are homeless; those who rely on the help of free school lunches; those whose daily contact has been stopped by the need to stay safe.
Both in Tunbridge Wells and further afield there are a number of initiatives to help
Nourish Community Foodbank continue to accept donations either in the form of food at local supermarkets or online. Check out their Twitter feed and website for up to date information and what is desperately needed.
The Trussell Trust is a nationwide foodbank charity that accepts online donations.
Age UK are using donations to help support older people, especially those isolated by the Covid-19 crisis.
Crisis Homeless charity is delivering essential packages to those without a home.
At Empathy Action we are also seeing the effect of Covid-19 much further afield. Our partners across the world are in isolation, many unable to work and living in communities that are incredibly vulnerable. With our friends in mind it was uplifting to hear that last week the UN launched a global humanitarian appeal to help
approximately 40 vulnerable countries who are facing the Covid-19 crisis. While it is not possible at the moment to make individual donations to this appeal, the WHO (World Health Organisation) has a Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund to help support its response to Covid-19 on a global level.
As we face this challenging time together, we hope that the small actions we take in these next weeks, help to increase empathy with those around us and inspire more compassionate action.
Team Empathy News
On Monday we had a quick staff meeting on Zoom, an opportunity to wave at each other and check in!
Other ways our team are staying positive:
‘Walking every day with a few strange manoeuvres when we see people! Like a weird choreography.’
‘Enjoying Springtime together.’
‘I’ve found great comfort in watching the Spring season kick in.’
‘Responding to food bank volunteers – all those people with willing hearts waiting for an opportunity to serve.’
‘Our daily walk is a highlight and how friendly everyone is?’
‘Homemade banana cake.’
‘Finding inspiration from sociable elderly people living on their own, but remaining cheerful and optimistic despite their isolation.’
‘Following online art workshops with friends.’
‘Checking out @goodnews_movement each day!’
‘Making sourdough bread.’
Stay in touch, keep connected and take care of yourselves – and others.