Hundreds of selfless volunteers who have been helping the borough’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus crisis have been appreciated for their efforts by Cllr Saima Ashraf, the council’s Deputy Leader.

In a letter to the nearly 300 volunteers, Cllr Ashraf who is also the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, wrote to thank them for their support with BD-CAN. She said:

“I was so overwhelmed by the offers of volunteer support that have come through in response to our call for help.  Barking and Dagenham has always been the sort of place that looks out for each other in times of crisis, and now is clearly no exception.  Nearly 300 people have stepped forward to provide their time and assistance.”

The volunteers will be helping out with a variety of different opportunities which will include:

•    Delivering letters to vulnerable residents around the Borough

•    Helping to put together food parcels for our vulnerable residents 

•    Delivering the food parcels to our community partners who will be able to distribute them to our vulnerable residents and will be

•    Working directly with our local partners and supporting them in their efforts to help vulnerable residents through BD CAN.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks to those who have stepped forward in this time of need – the community really appreciates everything that people are doing for each other.  If you are involved in helping people around you with those daily tasks, please do keep it up

The council has worked with local community organisations to set up the BD-CAN network.  Nine community hubs are operating across the borough, and referrals for help are flowing into the Council and out to the Hubs, where the organisations are drawing on their staff and volunteers to get the help where it is needed.  

Cllr Ashraf added: “Once again, my heartfelt thanks to those who have stepped forward in this time of need – the community really appreciates everything that people are doing for each other.  If you are involved in helping people around you with those daily tasks, please do keep it up.” 

To find out more about BD CAN and if you need help and support, visit the website

https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/let-us-know-if-you-need-help-or-support

If you want to volunteer your time to help vulnerable people around your community, please could you go to http://bttr.im/94na1 and fill out a bit more information about yourself here.