As part of that campaign, Islanders are being encouraged to create community networks with their immediate neighbours to keep in touch with and support one another.
That message coincides with one from the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev Michael Keirle, who is urging Islanders to call neighbours and friends who may be isolated to offer them support or just check in with them.
First launched in December 2018 as a way to encourage Islanders to support members of our community struggling in the run-up to Christmas, Jersey Together had a simple but important message – that help, support and advice was available for those struggling for any reason. It’s goal was to help people to avoid social isolation.
More than a year on, as the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak impacts on almost every aspect of our lives, the need for such a message is more important than ever.
The relaunched Jersey Together campaign aims to shine a light on the community initiatives being planned to help, support and advise Islanders amid the COVID-19 outbreak, on the people helping to make a difference and how everyday Islanders and businesses are facing the challenges the outbreak presents.
A regular ‘community noticeboard’ will be printed in the JEP and anyone with information, news or a story to share about the community response to the outbreak is asked to get in touch by emailing together@jerseyeveningpost.com or calling the paper’s newsdesk on 611640.
JEP editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘Jersey, like the rest of the world, is facing unprecedented times, but we have a strong and kind community that will work together to face up to those challenges. Communication, especially for those who are isolated and may not necessarily have access to social media, is going to be key. We want readers to use the pages of the JEP to keep each other updated, share ideas, tips, anecdotes and stories to not only stay connected and informed, but hopefully to raise a morale-boosting smile or two. Many Islanders may not physically be able to interact with one another right now, but as a community we are in this together.’
Meanwhile, with guidance now in place recommending that over-65s practise social distancing, others being advised to self isolate for various reasons and increasing numbers of Islanders working from home, St Saviour Deputy Louise Doublet has created a basic letter that people can use to introduce themselves to their neighbours and set up digital networks, for example via WhatsApp, Facebook and even text messages. A version of that leaflet is printed on page 9 of Wednesday’s JEP.
And the Channel Islands Co-operative Society is reintroducing its ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ cards originally created in 2018 in support of the Jersey Together campaign.
The calling cards will be available for people to pick up from Co-op stores around the Island for free. They can be filled in with some basic details, and offers of help if needed, and posted through letterboxes.
Deputy Doublet said the intention of her initiative was to create micro-communities with immediate neighbours.
She also urged people to remain cautious about not oversharing their personal information.
Meanwhile, in a video posted online by the Government of Jersey, the Dean appealed to over-65s to follow the guidance on socially isolating themselves. And he said: ‘It is really important that as a community we come together and that we support one another during this difficult time.
‘We are asking neighbours, people around you and friends that you may know to please give them a quick call and if you can drop round to drop off shopping, obviously you need to keep your distance, that would be a really helpful thing.’
Iceland stores in Jersey and Guernsey, in line with some stores in the UK, are to open half an hour earlier each day to help the vulnerable and elderly amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Mike Rutter, SandpiperCI’s Channel Islands’ retail managing director, said: ‘We believe that by opening them earlier for the more vulnerable in our society we’ll be able to offer a safer and more comfortable shopping environment for those most at risk from the coronavirus.
‘Older adults, pregnant ladies, as well as people with underlying health conditions, are known to be more susceptible to the virus, which is why we’ve decided to offer this facility at what is the quietest part of the day – the best time to support social distancing.’
The new opening times are: New Era, 7.30am; Bath Street, 7am (closed Sundays); Les Quennevais, 6.30am and 7.30am on Sundays; St Peter, 7.30am; the Parade, 7am and 8.30am on Sundays and Grouville, 6.30am and 7.30am on Sundays.
