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There’s no denying that we’re living in turbulent and frightening times. I go through phases of really fretting (which is useless) and periods of thinking of practical ways to help (which is much more useful). Well, a new word has been invented in Canada: “caremongering“. It’s basically the opposite of scaremongering, which is sweeping across the nation, especially on social media.
People are offering help where they can, and this is the kind of movement we can all take part in. As we all face being house-bound, I’ve got a few ideas of what we can do caremonger for our local and wider communities, to help ease the crisis as much as we can. Read on if you want to help, but feel helpless.
The first ideas won’t cost you any money. I know we’re all worried about our incomes, but we can help for free. If you are in a position to help with money, there are some more ideas if you read on. I hope you don’t feel any pressure to donate: I’d like to invite you to do what you can afford to do, and what feels right for you.
Because you can’t pour from an empty cup, I also have some ideas about how to caremonger for yourself and your family to try and make isolation more bearable.
Caremongering Idea 1: Reinvent Neighbourhood Watch
At the weekend, my neighbour and friend messaged me to see if I wanted to set up a group to help our street. I’d already been planning to pop a note into my next door neighbours’ doors to let them know we are there for them. So stepping it up a level was a great idea. We wrote a note and printed it 30 times, one for each house in our street, and along with offering help, we also asked if anyone wanted to join out WhatsApp group, and we have had quite a few takers. This is our note, with a few ideas of how we can help people who can’t get out.
Caremongering Idea 2: Support Local Businesses on Social Media
This is something we can all do, for free. It takes some time, but if we’re all isolated, it seems like time is something we will all have more of. Simply liking, commenting and sharing posts on Instagram and Facebook can have a huge impact on small businesses, without costing you a penny.
When more people interact with posts, the mysterious algorithms realise people like it, and will show it to more people.
With so many businesses facing closure, it’s an easy way to help.
This works with bloggers too, so if you like my blog posts, why not give me a follow here on Instagram or on Facebook? It honestly means so much when people respond to and share the content I spend so long writing!
Caremongering Idea 3: Shop Small and Local
Like the last point, supporting independent local businesses has never been more important. And it was already really, really important. So think about your local butchers, greengrocers and pharmacy. Try to buy (or order online) Mother’s Day gifts from a local and/or independent retailer.
Along with having a great range, thoughtfully selected and beautifully presented, small business owners work so so hard to keep their business afloat. They do it because they are passionate about it, not to make loads of money.
Caremongering Idea 4: Support Charities that Help the Most Vulnerable
My family are some of the lucky ones. We have a garden so we can let the kids out. We have lots of books and craft materials. We have a Netflix subscription, and enough food in our cupboards. Our kids don’t have any additional health problems and they have each other to play with. I am able to stay at home to look after them when the schools close. We should just about be able to cover our mortgage and bills, even if things are tight.
But across Milton Keynes, 1 in 3 children are living in poverty.
That’s a third of all children in Milton Keynes. Their parents rely on school dinners to give them a hot meal. With schools shutting, what will they do? There is a great charity called St Marks Meals who help. They provide meal boxes with a recipe card and all the ingredients needed to make a meal for four to the most vulnerable families in Milton Keynes.
Whenever a teacher / learning mentor / lunchtime assistant learns that a child is hungry or doesnโt not have enough food at home they can invite a family to choose a Meals Box to take home and prepare to enjoy that night. Meals are healthy and child-friendly, easy to make and tasty to eat.”
St Marks Meals
Find out more about St Marks Meals, and if you can, you can donate here.
You can also donate to your local Food Bank, either with actual food (if you can still get to a supermarket) or online – here’s a link to MK Food Bank. The Trussell Trust are also a great charity to support, you can find their details here.
Many staff at Milton Keynes hospital are having to self-isolate. You can donate to provide comfort packs for staff, which will include food, treats and essentials. For more details and to donate, check out Milton Keynes University Hospital’s chaplain Sarah Crane’s GoFundMe page here.
How to Caremonger for Yourself and Your Family
When we’re faced with the unknown, it’s easy to panic. But making a plan can really help. So planning activities for yourself your family is one way to caremonger and look on the bright side.
Make Work Plans and Keep to a Routine
Because I’m a freelance copywriter, I almost always work from home already. So adjusting to life at home will probably be less of a shock to the system for me than to people used to working outside the home. But here is some great advice:
I don’t have much freelance copywriting work booked in, as businesses tighten their belts. So along with looking after my children if and when the schools shut, I’m taking the opportunity to work ON my businesses, instead of IN it. So I’m doing a Pinterest course to help more people see my blog posts. I’m working on rebranding with my designer friend. I’ll be doing some of the other online courses I’ve bought over the past few years and never had time to complete.
Caremongering for Yourself and Your Family: Hibernate and Hygge
I’m finishing by encouraging you to care for yourself too. Your own mental wellbeing is as important as your physical wellbeing (and this is advice I need to take myself too!)
- Turn off the news
- Limit Twitter and Facebook scrolling
- Use your phone to actually call people, or FaceTime, instead of relying on texts and emails
- Read a nice book – either an old friend, or a new one that’s been on your list for ages
- Do some craft
- Play a computer game
- hands?
- Burn an aromatherapy candle
- Do a jigsaw
- Dance around the kitchen
- Do some gardening
- Do some deep breathing – why not do this when you’re washing your
- Cuddle up under a blanket and watch a film
- Do some baking
- Paint your nails
- Have a bath and a face mask
- Do some Yoga or Pilates
- Have an early night
- Finish a project
- Sing at the top of your lungs
I’ll be reading some of the hundreds of books we have in the house, including some ‘comfort reading’. I’m also looking forward to introducing the girls to some of the classics.
I’m trying to reframe this as an opportunity to rest and recharge.
To spend time with my family. To give myself the time to do some creative projects, and to not wear make-up, and give my skin and hair some TLC.
How to Care for Dry Hands
Here’s a way to soothe and moisturise your hands, if they’re dried out because of all the extra hand washing. Exfoliate them with a natural hand scrub and then smother them in hand cream. Pop on some cotton gloves to lock the moisture in overnight, and you’ll soon see and feel the difference.
Plans for Home Improvements
Being confined to home is also an opportunity to finish some of the house projects I’ve not had time for. So assuming I don’t actually get ill, I’m hoping to make progress on our bedroom makeover. I’ll be finishing our pantry revamp, which has been on my list since we moved in six years ago. It’s shaping up so well!
Now it’s over to you. Will you be caremongering with me? I really hope so, and I’d love to hear what you have planned, please leave me a comment!
