Times recently have been particularly difficult for us as no one have foreseen challenges coming; we were force not only to be lock-down but to shield. You should bear in mind that we are fighting isolation and we forced to isolate. Members of The Hope Project Scotland were plunged into anxiety depression and trauma cause by the fear of the unknown; a lot of question marks that could not have immediate answers, people needed more support. There was fear for everything even to attend vital hospital appointments, people were refusing admissions; even though they were in serious crisis. The Hope Project Scotland develop a strategy to palliate to all issues raised during this pandemic.
Last year started on a pleasant note of Ceilidh dance which has brought community together we learn about the Scottish culture and Robert Burns.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 came as well as lock-down all of us were forced to shield without prediction. Many were alone with no adequate means of communication suffocated by fear and uncertainty.
THE HOPE PROJECT SCOTLAND change its strategies to meet the need of its members by providing them with additional support and relevant information.
We even went further by providing families with food vouchers through CASH FOR KIDS to help with the expenses. Many families with no personal means of transport were offered taxi fare to hospital appointment as they needed to avoid communal means of transport. Fear and anxiety grew among the members that a 24/7 helpline was created, and support group meetings were multiplied to help with the mental breakdown. Some members were afraid to go to hospital in even of crisis an emergency alert was created, and patient were taken to hospital by volunteers to reassure them.
People supported by THE HOPE PROJECT SCOTLAND are mostly of black and black African background, meaning they have another kind of diet; the Government provided food box supply for everyone on the shielding list, without taking into the account their eating habits. Families could not go out for shopping, because many were not paid while shielding because they were lone parents, also because they could go out or volunteers in the community did not know what they really needed and where to get the food items.
THE HOPE PROJECT SCOTLAND through many grants: FOUNDATION, NATIONAL LOTTERY, WELL-BEING FUND etc, we were able to guaranty food, masks, and hand sanitizers to 64 families meaning 245 people.
THE HOPE PROJECT was also able to organize online well-being programs and workshops thank to CONNECT SCOTLAND which has provided us with Chromebooks and Ipads as well MIFI.
These devices were welcomed as many households were without a computer. The MIFI was a life savior, for households with no WIFI or poor connection, as everyone was studying or working online.
Later during the summer month as restriction were eased, a day out to Troon Beach was organized to help families regain self-confidence and have a bit of fresh air after shielding for 5months. This was a big relief for families, especially because no one could go on holiday. It was a successful venture.
Another lock-down came to slow our enthusiasm, however our work continued online as people begin to get use to new normal. So, this year we did not have our Christmas party but thanks to Kidsout, Night Before Christmas, St Nicholas Fund and Glasgow care Fund we were able to provide our children with Christmas present and gift vouchers for the Young people. After all this year was not completely bad.
The Hope Project Scotland want to thank all those who believe in our work and have supported us throughout. We hope 2021 will be brighter and bring some good news with the finding of the new vaccine.