Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support coordinator Bruce Banks talking about how people can sign up to become a member.
Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Bruce Banks out on his street. Photo / Andrew Warner 270320awbopBruceBanks .jpgRotorua Neighbourhood Support coordinator Richard Perkins. Photo / Supplied 280320splbopRichardPerkins.jpg
Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support groups have been inundated with emails and phone calls from residents wanting to sign up following theCovid-19 lockdown.
Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Bruce Banks said there had been up to 200 emails and 30 to 40 phone calls a day since the lockdown announcement.
Banks said one-third were from people wanting to join, another third offered to help out and the rest were from people seeking advice about the lockdown rules.
"It's clear a lot of people are uncertain what they can and cannot do during the lockdown period and it's vital people are clear about that and maintain the two-metre safe zone.
"The vast majority of people appear to be doing the right things, but we don't want people accidentally breaching the lockdown rules, or anyone deliberating flouting them."
Banks said Neighbourhood Support's street co-ordinators were keeping in regular contact with members by phone, email or Facebook and encouraging non-members to join.
"People over 70 living on their own with little or no support, or those with health issues, are particularly vulnerable," he said.
"If everybody rings two people a day to check they're okay it would certainly make their day and help to lift their spirits at the very time when we need to look after each other."
Rotorua Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Richard Perkins said before the lockdown his neighbourhood street co-ordinators did a letterbox drop in their area.
Rotorua Neighbourhood Support coordinator Richard Perkins. Photo / Supplied
Perkins said since the lockdown he had received about 100 to 200 emails and numerous calls a day from people wanting to join Neighbourhood Support or seeking assistance.
"This is exactly why Neighbourhood Support exists. It was formed to help connect people with their neighbours so we can support each other, particularly during emergencies."
Perkins said Rotorua Neighbourhood Support volunteers were collating lists of people and contact details and regularly phoning or emailing to check they were doing okay.
"We especially want to know about anyone who has a respiratory-type illness so we can add them to our regular contact lists," he said.
"Right now Neighbourhood Support is quite a valuable tool as we all take on this big fight to protect ourselves and our neighbours from getting this horrible virus.
"We all need to come together as a community to do our bit," he said.
Kawerau Neighbourhood Support (NS) co-ordinator Angie Nicoll, who took on the role in April last year, agreed.
Nicoll said membership had more than doubled from 380 to 862 in that time - that's nearly one-third of the 2500 households in her town.
Since the lockdown announcement, Nicoll said she had been live-streaming regular messages to members on Facebook and posting updates from the council and Government to help keep people informed.
"As well as email and phone, I think that it's been the most effective way to keep in contact with our members and also connect with non-members who may need support.
Nicoll said she was buoyed by how members of her small town of 7500 residents were responding during the lockdown and also connecting with Neighbourhood Support.
"A lot of people are offering support to those who need it, which is exactly what we need. We have a very supportive town and people are coming together to help each other."
Neighbourhood Support of New Zealand's chief executive Tess Casey urged New Zealanders to set up a Neighbourhood Support group as soon as possible.
"By supporting one another and looking out for vulnerable neighbours we will be able to get through the next four weeks," she said.
Casey said she wanted to encourage people to think about how they could link in with those who had no access to the internet, or where English was not their first language.
"An old-fashioned phone tree might be a good option and we are sure people will come up with other creative ways to support one another."
