Northumberland County residents are rallying together to develop a
virtual neighbourhood in order to spread kindness and offer support during COVID-19.
“Caremongering” has been trending since the health crisis unfolded in Canada. The
word, and the grassroots citizen movement it represents, allows people to help each
other while practicing social distancing. In particular, it’s a volunteer community of
goodwill and caring neighbours to help those who are most vulnerable and who are in
self-isolation.
The formation of the local group was a neighbourly act of kindness in of itself. Raymond
Jones started up the Caremongering Northumberland Facebook group after his friend in
Windsor started a campaign there. His friend Trish Baxter jumped on board to help with
administration. At the same time, Linds Nicole, had started up her own Mutual Aid
Network group, a similar initiative that she had learned about from a friend also in
Windsor. All the while, another Cobourg citizen and Council member, Nicole Beatty,
was recruiting a group of peers and entrepreneurs to offer a volunteer companion
service. Nicole reached out to Raymond and Linds upon discovering their efforts and
over a virtual Zoom call the three decided to join forces in an effort to help more people
while supporting one another.
Since introducing themselves via a video chat on Thursday, March 19th, the group has a
volunteer list of nearly 30 County residents and community connections are being
made. Volunteers can sign up through the group using a Google form. People looking
for help with grocery shopping, errands, DIY services and other needs can use the same
form. Requests for support are then sent out to the virtual community and people are
connected with one another. Local businesses are also using the group as a way to
communicate changes to their services and hours of operation during COVID-19.
Examples of Caremongering so far include connecting with Salvation Army Cobourg/Port
Hope to help them recruit volunteer drivers to ensure immediate support to their
vulnerable clients is not interrupted. Another heartwarming story involves a woman
whose furnace broke and who couldn’t afford the repair. She reached out through the
group looking for assistance. Caremongering was able to connect her with a local
tradesperson who had offered to service it for free.
If it’s going to take a village to get through COVID-19 then Northumberland can rest
assure that it is going to be cared for. The acts of kindness being initiated and organized
by the Caremongering neighbourhood network are an amazing testament to the fact
that we are all in this together.
Residents of Northumberland County are encouraged to visit
www.fornorthumberland.com to learn more and to join the Facebook group. For
people who do not use social media contact Linds at 905.269.9879 with a specific need
or offer to help. People looking for specific social service support or financial assistance
are asked to call 211.
For more information contact:
Nicole Beatty Raymond Jones
289.251.3171 519.990.9079
nicole.e.beatty@gmail.com ray@rcmcoaching.ca
About the Caremongering Movement
Caremongering is a national citizen movement that started as a community response to
COVID-19. Mita Hans and Valentina Harper started the first group. The BBC quotes
Harper for saying the idea of the campaign is to create a contagion of kindness. There
are currently more than 35 virtual caremongering communities across Canada.
About Caremongering Northumberland
Raymond James, Trish Baxter, Linds Nicole and Nicole Beatty power the local virtual
neighbourhood network. The team is volunteering their time to administer the group,
coordinate volunteers, source information, respond to the need of people in self
isolation and connect people with community organizations. The network is organized
as a Facebook group and got over 1,275 members in its first five days. The goal of the
group is to curb the fear circulating and provide encouragement and to organize the
local community on the grassroots level to ensure vulnerable community members have
access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. It is also for the redistribution
of resources in the case that stockpiling prevents people from accessing basics. People
can also post requests for aid and support. Local charities are encouraged to share their
services and volunteer needs with the group. Local businesses are also invited to post
information about their offerings, services and operations.
