Covid Aid monthly update: August 2022

As the UK's leading Covid-19 charity July was our busiest month to date, reaching more people than ever with support. Here's what we're doing, what we're hoping to achieve – and how you can help.

The headlines!

Over the past month we:

  • Reached more people than ever: With over 31,000 visiting our website for support, advice, and information during July – more than 1000 people per day

  • Signed up 850+ members: Our Covid Aid Support Community continues to flourish, with more than 850 members signed up

  • Lived experience: We produced vital accounts of those living with Long Covid, who are Disabled and Immunocompromised, and who continue to be affected by Covid-19 in ongoing and life-changing ways

  • Awards nomination: Our CEO Michael has been shortlisted for Rising Chief Executive and Head of Community Emma has been shortlisted for Rising Star in The Third Sector Awards

Support Community

Virtual Drop In Cafe

Our virtual drop in cafe continues to run every Thursday at 6pm. It is a relaxed and informal meet up hosted by one of our volunteers, Maria, and provides a safe space to speak about issues as well as to have a catch-up with other members of the Covid Aid Support Community. Sign up here for free!

Live Events

We hosted a Live Q&A with Duncan Boak from Fifth Sense on Long Covid and Taste and Smell Disorders. Smell and taste changes have been a prominent symptom of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fifth Sense have produced a dedicated Long Covid hub for such issues. We’ll be sharing the full Q&A as a video and on our website soon!

New Podcast

We released a new podcast this month which explored the stories behind short film These Four Walls, which presents stories around grief and bereavement during the Covid pandemic.

Advice and Information

Thanks to our fantastic team of Content Writers, we continue to publish up to date and relevant advice and information on our website hub. One of our latest articles written by Sally provides information on Long Covid and coping in an heatwave.

Meanwhile Eve wrote this powerful piece, and created this image, about why ‘those who are Disabled and Immunocompromised need to be supported, not ignored’.

And we spoke to our brilliant Ambassador, Jasmine Hayer, about her vital work on The Hidden Voices of Long Covid – which has raised awareness of lived experience and the devastating long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteering

Welcome to the Team!

We recently recruited a new Funding Administrator, Shelley. Shelley has a lot of experience in this area and will be helping us with researching and writing funding applications.

We also welcome 3 new volunteers to our Social Media team: Nolan, Hannah and Daena. They bring a range of excellent skills and experience to the charity and we look forward to seeing how they increase our engagement on social media.

Volunteering Opportunities

We are currently advertising for a number of different volunteer roles such as Content Editor, Administrator and Community Fundraisers. Find out more about each role and how to apply here.

Fundraising

David Thorpe’s amazing cycle in memory of his brother

We had more great people fundraising for us during July including David Thorpe. He cycled from London to Bude in Cornwall to raise money for Covid Aid, supported by a great group of friends, and said:

“I lost my 38 year old brother to Covid exactly 1 year ago. Bude was his favourite place to holiday in the UK. So in his honour we shall leave London on the 23rd July, to arrive at the beach in Bude on the 27th to celebrate James's birthday.“

You can find out more about David’s journey, and still donate, over on JustGiving: justgiving.com/fundraising/covid-support-david-thorpe

Fundraising Events

There are a number of fundraising events coming up all over the UK that individuals can take part in and raise money for Covid Aid! Interested in signing up?

This August…

During August we are planning more activities on the Covid Aid Support Community, with plans to launch more groups and provide support for those experiencing issues related to Long Covid.

We’ll also be publishing more great Advice & Info articles written by our volunteers, whilst providing a voice for those at risk of being ignored as the ongoing effects of Covid-19 disappear from newspaper headlines. We also hope to be announcing some exciting new partnerships with organisations who can reach and help those being affected – all of this is activity we can only achieve with your continued support. 

With more than two million people in the UK now living with Long Covid, and thousands more families losing loved ones to coronavirus every week, the need for support is greater than ever.

Find out how you can get involvedplease donate if you can – and spread the word about Covid Aid to your friends and family by sharing this email! We are enormously grateful for your support 💛💚💛

Covid Aid is reliant on YOUR donations to provide support to those hit by Long Covid, grief and bereavement, and other Covid-related issues

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