Dear everyone
These are such strange and difficult times. Like you, we're doing our best to get through them together, and finding strength in working with our friends, neighbours and wider communities.
We know many people are struggling - to get food, to find out what's happening to their services, to make ends meet, to feel safe - and it is vital that everyone is looked after and has what they need.
If you need help, please reach out. And please offer help if you are able.
Help and information in Wealden
Many local communities are organising volunteer networks to buy and deliver food, collect medication, post letters, walk dogs, and to ring people for a chat because living in isolation is so hard for many people. We can't list the local networks here as they are so many, and often they are completely informal. If you need help, or want to offer help, you may find your local network on Facebook or NextDoor, via your local church, or through your parish or town council.
NHS advice: this is the most up-to-date information about how to stay safe and what to do if you become ill.
Wealden District Council and East Sussex District Council have information for individuals and businesses on their websites. Find out here about benefits and financial support, also about council services. Their sites are updated regularly. The councils are still working and providing services so do contact them if you need help, especially if you receive services from them.
Parish and Town Councils: some have lists of local practical support, others are co-ordinating support in their area. Contact your local council if you want to know what is available in your village or town. For example, Crowborough Town Council has an excellent page on its website.
Foodbanks: in Wealden there are foodbanks in Crowborough, Hailsham, Uckfield. There are also foodbanks in Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead, and on the south coast. You need a referral to use a foodbank: contact your local foodbank to ask who can refer you in your area (it might be a church, GP, Citizens Advice, for example). Please donate to your local foodbank if you can, either in your local supermarket or on the foodbank's website.
The Green Party's response to the pandemic
While it's clear to all of us that our main concern must be to look after people's health, this pandemic has shaken the way we live. We need to support individuals, families, businesses, our public sector, our food system ...
What can we do? What should we do to make sure we look after everyone, and we come out of this pandemic with a strong and sustainable economy, environment and society?
This is the Green Party's overview on how we need to respond to the pandemic.
