Community spirit helps residents at Bentilee scheme get through the pandemic
Date: 13/12/2021
In March 2020, when the country went into lockdown, those shielding without family nearby struggled to reach essentials like food and medication. Residents at Staffs Housing’s Stirling Close came together to make sure this wasn’t the case for those shielding at their scheme.
“In the height of the pandemic, I had to shield myself from getting the virus, as did a lot of people in the close”, Stirling Close resident Margret explains. “Before then I was seeing my daughter at least once a week, but when all that stopped because of restrictions I struggled to get things like food and essentials.”
“I saw my neighbour Gill and we got talking over the garden. I mentioned that I was worried, and she was so lovely and understanding and said she didn’t mind helping me out.
“Gill was getting food and essentials for most people in the street at one point. Whenever she went to the supermarket she’d call and make sure we were all okay and didn’t need anything. She was brilliant and I can’t thank her enough.
“The pandemic has pulled everyone together”, neighbour Judith says. “We’ve all been looking out for each other and it’s nice to know that I’ve got someone there if ever I needed them.”
The residents at Stirling Close were looking out for each other long before the pandemic began, as Margaret explains: “It’s a real community here. Even before the pandemic, nothing was too much trouble and we would always help each other out if we could.”
“So many of my neighbours help me. Dave builds any furniture and changes my clocks. I fell recently and couldn’t get back up. So, I called Tony and gave him my key safe code and he came to help me back on my feet at the drop of a hat. His wife Judith even helped me to make the bed after too!
“I’ve been here 21 years now and honestly I can say it’s been one of the best decisions I ever made. Staffs Housing helped my sanity the day they give me the keys to this place.
“Everyone is really proud of their home and the community we’ve built. So, we look after our homes, the neighbourhood and each other. They might be Staffs Housing’s properties but they’re our homes.”
