We may be in lockdown, but the Besom has not changed. We can still be a bridge between those who want to give and those who are in great need, it’s just the landscape that is changing rapidly beyond recognition. Last week we have done 2 runs rather than just our Thursday run. We have actually been busier than usual.
Last week, the probation service referred a man (already self-isolating) who was moving into a unfurnished flat in Thames Ditton with just a camp bed and a little crockery. Facing lockdown with financial hardship, severe health problems placing him in the extreme at risk category, we decided this was ‘essential travel to care for the vulnerable’. We had a lot of items he needed, particularly a bed and sofa, and would buy the items he didn’t have such as a microwave and bedlinens.
This morning we went out with prayers and extra care! New measures involved just one of us driving in the van, the other time-givers following in convoy in their own cars.
This time, a visit to a young man who’d moved into a new neighbourhood last week, again with financial hardship, and in mental health recovery. With the lockdown, he was now away from his family support network, sleeping on a sofa, with no white goods, tv or means to cook. We were able to give him a microwave, kitchen starter pack, TV and joy of joys a dvd player. He was so delighted with the dvd player as it meant he would be able to use the TV (even without a tv licence or amazon fire-stick)! We were able to pray a blessing over his new home and for his new start at the doorstep.
Besom core team and trustees are praying that we can respond locally as God directs because new opportunities are opening up for us to work alongside Foodbank, Elmbridge Borough Council and Central Surrey Community Action in a coordinated response to the escalating needs of the vulnerable, poor, elderly, and the at risk / extreme risk categories of those with underlying health needs.
At the national Besom level, we have been considering that the pandemic is changing the landscape, bringing tragic outcomes to many individuals and families who were already struggling on the fringes of our community. Social care will not stop in a lockdown and so whilst we can assist social worker referrals appropriately when safe and practical to do so in the next 12 weeks, (with those who come to us to offering their time etc) the Besom is not just in a 12-week sprint but a marathon that we start preparing for. Many Besoms have had to close with elderly core-team members at risk themselves, or with the shutting of their Besom premises, simply not set up to operate teams and logistics in a ‘virtual’ online setting. They are settling themselves to rest, to pray and seek the Lord and await the time when they can open again. Besom in Esher on the other hand has always been ‘virtual’ so we have not had to adapt the way we operate to cope with working from our homes.
What can I do?
- Please remember us (Annie, Chris, Gareth, Richard (core team) Tony, Sammy and Daphne (van team time-givers) in your prayers – we want to keep in step with the Lord and be wise to opportunities but true to our vision and values. For protection for our health and those we help.
- If you are not in self-isolation or quarantine, and do not meet the criteria of being at risk / or extreme risk, maybe you can be a part of a ‘faith response’ and give your time, money or skills through us? As church members, many of you already could be DBS checked or have an Enhanced DBS check; this would be brilliant in terms of re-deploying Besom activity alongside the council . The government/NHS is looking for volunteers – you can check out their Good Sam app of course, but we are already called to be Good Samaritans and with our church buildings closed, maybe Jesus is calling his bride to come out onto the streets!
- Stay in touch via our webpage or Facebook, to see what role Besom will be asked to undertake alongside EBC, and consider whether you can be part of our ‘faith response’ as Good Samaritans.