Archive, April 2020: This report describes the Buxton Street by Street volunteer response to the first COVID-19 lockdown. For current emergency food support, visit High Peak Foodbank at Zink.

In April 2020, hundreds of Buxton residents united to help neighbours during the COVID-19 emergency.

Buxton’s Anna Watson coordinated the initiative. At the time, she had worked locally for 13 years as a nurse for children, young people and their families.

Anna Watson, project co-ordinator
Anna Watson, project co-ordinator

The group welcomed both volunteers and people looking for help.

Project co-ordinators Caitlin Bisknell, Anna Watson and Claire Mitchell stand with their arms outstretched
Project co-ordinators, Caitlin Bisknell (left), Anna Watson and Claire Mitchell (right)

A virtual human chain of helping hands 

“We started distributing the national #viralkindness flyers, posting them through doors across Buxton.” The initiative offering neighbourly help was originally set up by Becky Wass in Cornwall as the crisis unfolded earlier in March, in response to those self-isolating, in particular elderly or vulnerable people.

“More and more volunteers came forward to cover each road and we’ve gone from strength to strength and we’ve now covered 307 roads in Buxton”, said Anna.

The original report said more than 200 volunteers were posting flyers and helping their neighbours at the time.

A collage of Buxton Street by Street volunteers standing with arms outstretched

A second collage of Buxton Street by Street volunteers standing with arms outstretched

“The Facebook group now has almost 3,000 members as well as a team of incredible people working day and night to keep the ship sailing.  Most notably, Claire Mitchell with her extensive experience working with the voluntary sector, steward of the Buxton Working Men’s Club and being at the forefront of many a logistical challenge and Caitlin Bisknell, a high profile member of our community for 20 years, tirelessly working hard for the most vulnerable people within our communities.”

More than 2500 Easter eggs delivered to families in need 

The original report said volunteers helped deliver more than 2,500 Easter eggs to families identified as needing extra help in 2020.

A woman holds boxes of Easter eggs next to a car boot filled with more boxes

Helping those most in need

The group also worked with High Peak Foodbank and local organisations to deliver emergency food parcels.

Anna went on to say,  “After several years of often divisive social and political unease, we have witnessed people making links with the people living on their own street whom they may have never spoken to before and assisting in urgent tasks regardless of politics, beliefs or any other differences.

In the face of adversity, this community has found a way to shine brighter than many of us can remember happening before.  We are one.”