To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations – NGOs, local governments, or citizens. A team of national researchers from the RESISTIRÉ project has collected and highlighted a set of particularly relevant initiatives in 27 European countries and in Iceland, Serbia, the United Kingdom and Turkey. These Better Stories cover eight specific domains: gender-based violence, the labour market, the economy, gender-pay and pension gaps, gender care gaps, decision-making and politics, environmental justice, human and fundamental rights.
This Better Story was collected by Stine Thidemann Faber; Lise Rolandsen Augustine
Red Cross Ready [Røde Kors Parat] is a nationwide network of volunteer helpers who step in when someone needs a helping hand to pick up medicine, go grocery shopping, walk a dog, or would like to be accompanied to go to the doctor, get a vaccination or examination in the hospital.
Reaching socially disadvantaged citizens in need
Red Cross Ready [Røde Kors Parat] is a nationwide network of volunteer helpers who step in when someone needs a helping hand to pick up medicine, go grocery shopping, walk a dog, or would like to be accompanied to go to the doctor, get a vaccination or examination in the hospital.
Supporting in times of crises
As the pandemic evolved, people’s needs changed. In the beginning, many received help with grocery shopping. Either because they fell ill, or because they found it risky to go out. Today, there is still a need for helpers, but nowadays most people are asking to be accompanied to go to the doctor or the hospital. In December 2020, Red Cross Denmark received DKK 4.5 million from the Ministry of Social Affairs to set up a vaccination helpline, so that people can get help to get out and get their third COVID-19 vaccine injection.
To join this initiative, participants fill out a form. After that, they will be asked for help when a need arises in their areas; It can be assisting another person in an acute situation or intervening during crises. The volunteer decides which activity to accept according to their desires and abilities and all tasks are time limited. Some activities include:
- Helping someone in a vulnerable situation.
- Aiding in crisis-related task
- Supporting local/national activities or events
- Sharing knowledge and expertise in an online task
Photo from Jem Sahagun from Unsplash