Network of volunteer groups helping with coronavirus crisis across Falkirk district and beyond

Stenhousemuir FC are among the groups in the Mutual Aid network.

An army of people, including many across the Falkirk district, have joined coronavirus Mutual Aid online groups to deliver goods to those unable to leave home in their areas.

Within days of the first Facebook page launching in south London, a UK-wide network of organisations has now formed - some of which already have thousands of members already.

Among them are at least four within the Falkirk area – Kinnaird SOS, Denny and Dunipace Coronavirus Commmunity Response; Stenhousemuir FC and Community Hub – FV Crisis Support.

Although some of these groups and pages already existed they have turned their attentions to supporting others within the community during the current crisis.

However, Denny and Dunipace Coronavirus Community Response is one of those groups set up in March solely because of the current situation. It already has over 700 members.

Users of the groups have described them as a vital boost with NHS services likely to be stretched in the coming weeks.

Though people in need of them are being urged to be wary of potential scammers, especially when handing over money.

Kelsey Mohamed, co-ordinator for the national Covid-19 Mutual Aid umbrella group said the response had been ‘overwhelming’.

“It shows us what’s possible when we prioritise simple compassion,” she said.

“People are self-organising with incredible efficiency, respect and creativity.”

Many of the groups formed through a templated leaflet being delivered through letterboxes in a particular area.

Seren John-Wood (24), helped set up the first mutual aid group in Lewisham, south London, on Thursday, March 12.

The theatre worker and her housemates distributed hundreds of leaflets around their local area asking if people needed deliveries of food or medicine.

Shortly afterwards, the friends decided to launch an umbrella organisation to guide the various groups around the UK.

Its website displays a map of the volunteer groups they know of across the whole country – some cover a single street, others a neighbourhood or town.