Aberdeen Cyrenians reflects on the end of another challenging year
When the pandemic first hit in March 2020, during the first lockdown we witnessed an 890% increase in demand for our services, clearly exhibiting the disastrous effect the Covid-19 pandemic was having on the local community.
Throughout 2020, over 58,584 support activities were carried out within our charity. These included supporting people with no food or toiletries, helping those locked in with an abuser, going through a relationship breakdown, facing homelessness, struggling with job opportunities, dealing with addiction regression and several other crisis issues.
The team at Aberdeen Cyrenians were quick to adapt to a new way of working – from changing drop-in services to video and phone calls and introducing PPE and socially distanced face-to-face meetings for those needing emergency help.
Now as we arrive at the end of 2021, there are no signs of this demand slowing down.
Lynda Reid-Fowler, Community Services Lead Manager at Aberdeen Cyrenians said “A lot of our service users are extremely vulnerable, and their safety is our number one priority. So, during the pandemic whilst carrying out our usual services we have continued to focus on making sure they feel supported and less isolated.
It is important to remember that home is not a safe place for everyone. We have experienced a huge increase in phone calls to our Ending Violence and Abuse Aberdeen (EVAA) service from people who were having to endure being locked in with an abuser or going through a relationship breakdown.
There are also many people who don’t have a home, therefore, facing even more vulnerability.”
“The support we received yet again over the past year really has been overwhelming. It has been amazing to see our community come together even in these challenging times and see everyone go that extra mile to help others.
We have received donations of food, toiletries, clothing, and monetary donations from individuals, businesses, and other community groups – it really is amazing to see, and we are genuinely so grateful.
Our team has also had to adapt to a huge change during this challenging time, and I am immensely proud of the huge contribution they have made and continue to make whilst we navigate our way through this pandemic.”
“Unfortunately, now with a new Covid-19 variant spreading across the UK, we predict another extremely challenging year ahead. We kindly ask that anyone who can and is able to keep doing so, please donate and support us so we can continue offering support to those who need it.
Already in the run up to the festive period we have witnessed a surge in calls for people needing food and other essentials such as toiletries.”
Christmas is normally a time when family and friends come together to share a meal and celebrate. But for people without any support network or those that are struggling mentally or financially, it can be an incredibly lonely time.”
“We will be providing food and essentials all throughout the festive period and our fantastic Direct Access team will be around on Christmas Day to provide Christmas dinners whilst ensuring that everyone has someone there for them this Christmas.
We would encourage anyone who needs support to please get in touch. No one should feel worried about asking for help.”
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If you need support, you can call Aberdeen Cyrenians on 0300 303 0903, or to find out more about what services are available, please click here.
To make a donation, you can do so here or to donate £10 text ABERDEENCYRENIANS on 70085.
You can also purchase essential items to send directly to Aberdeen Cyrenians on the Amazon Wishlist.