Covid Aid monthly update: November 2022

It’s been another mammoth month for us, thanks to your continued support. We launched important new courses, added to our board, and crucially provided support to thousands of new visitors affected by Long Covid, bereavement, anxiety, and a host of other issues.

You can see the headlines directly below, and we’ll always encourage you to visit the Support Community, check out our latest Advice & Info articles, and see how else you can get involved.

The headlines!

Over the past month we:

Launched Long Covid Online Support Group with Asthma & Lung UK: We had a strong attendance for our first co-produced monthly sessions, looking to provide more support for those affected by breathlessness
Long Covid advocate Jasmine Hayer joins Covid Aid board as Trustee: We boosted the expertise and experience on our board, ensuring that we can guide the charity in the right direction
UK Commission on Covid Commemoration: As a partner on this, we shared the thoughts and opinions of our members on how and when we can commemorate the losses experienced during the ongoing pandemic

Support Community

Launched Long Covid Online Support Group with Asthma & Lung UK

Last week we co-hosted our first monthly session with Asthma & Lung UK around Long Covid and breathlessness. The session was fully booked, as we had experts speak about living with Covid-induced breathlessness and answer questions from attendees – thanks to all those who were there.

The next session takes place in early December with ENO Breathe. Though the sessions are currently full, we will be looking to include a limited number of new sign-ups, so please do stay tuned to the Support Community if you’re interested in attending.

LIVE Q&A Session with Turn2Us on Welfare Benefits for Long Covid

Join us on Tuesday 22nd November, 2022 at 12:30 pm for a special Q&A session with Turn2Us Welfare Benefits Specialist, Anna Stevenson as she walks through some of the options available with regards to claiming benefits and obtaining additional support for Long Covid.

What Content would you like to see more of?

If you have any suggestions on what events, talks, courses and content you’d like to see more of over the coming Autumn and Winter months then please do get in touch with Emma at emma@covidaidcharity.org

Charity News

Long Covid advocate Jasmine Hayer joins Covid Aid board as Trustee!

Long Covid advocate, writer, poet, creator and coach, Jasmine Hayer has been appointed as a trustee for Covid Aid. As an Ambassador for the charity and through her own work and projects, Jasmine has been helping raise awareness of Long Covid and supporting other sufferers.

Jasmine caught Covid at the start of the pandemic (14th March 2020) and has been living with Long Covid ever since. She has been actively supporting others who have been affected and raising awareness of Long Covid through various platforms including The Telegraph, Stylist Magazine, BBC News and BBC Asian Network.

Jasmine said: “I'm very grateful to Covid Aid for amplifying the hidden suffering of Covid-19's wrath, putting lived experiences at the heart of the charity and providing practical support to help Long Covid sufferers and others affected by coronavirus, especially in a time where the media narrative is that 'Covid is mild'.

“Using mine and others’ lived experiences of Long Covid, together with my background of growing communities and charities, I hope to add a voice to the trustee board to help develop the best possible support for Long Covid sufferers and others tragically affected by Covid-19.”

Saying goodbye to trustees Isabelle and Maria

At the same time as we say hello to Jasmine, we bid a fond farewell to our trustees Maria Grigore and Isabelle Risso-Gill, both of whom have been with us since shortly after the charity have launched – and who have been invaluable at times in providing support and guidance as we have grown significantly to provide support to hundred of thousands of people! All of us on the board and team want to wish them both the very best for the future.

Advice and Information

New articles

Our Content team continues to publish up to date and relevant Advice & Info, including important articles from our writers Mo, Huda, Emma, and others. Here are a selection that you might be interested in:

Recruitment Opportunities

Executive Director (part-time)

With continued growth in mind, Covid Aid is seeking an enthusiastic and highly capable Executive Director who can lead us on the next phrase of our journey. We’re determined to provide even more support, and this position will help us do so by growing the charity’s visibility and reach, and the support that we can provide to the millions of people around the UK living with Long Covid, dealing with Covid-related bereavement, and who are experiencing life-changing issues as a result of the pandemic.

Find out more about the role and how to apply here.

Volunteering

We are currently advertising for a number of different volunteer roles such as Community Engagement Officer, Funding Administrator, Community Fundraiser, and Support Session Host.

Find out more in our Vacancies section.

Fundraising

Fundraisers of the Month

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Our Fundraisers of the Month included the incredible Bhim Purja Pun, who ran the Bath Half Marathon. He was running and fundraising for Covid Aid in memory of his Dad, Mr Ganga Purja, who sadly passed away in April 2020 due to COVID-19, without being able to see any of his family members.

His fundraising will help us to continue supporting those who have suffered losses from Covid or are trying to cope with the impact of long term Covid.

You can Donate and Fundraise for Covid Aid on JustGiving here.

This November…

As mentioned above, we continue to be incredibly grateful for your support, which allows us to support others. This is going to be important as we go into the Christmas period, which can be especially difficult for people are they are reminded of the losses they have experienced – and who will also be dealing with the cost-of-living crisis. Thanks again for all that in you in promoting Covid Aid to your family, friends, and businesses, and in getting involved however you can – we really can’t thank you enough!