Building Resilient Communities in Times of Corona Crisis
In times of challenge and uncertainty, it is even more important to consider the health and resilience of our communities; to take care of ourselves and each other.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious risk to the wellbeing of people across the world. In these uncertain times it is vital we support each other and protect those most vulnerable in our society.
In this post we share Transition Town Totnes’ response to COVID-19, as follows:
- Direct impact on our events and projects
- Update on Transition Town Totnes office closure
- Inspiring responses to uncertain times
- Building physical and mental resilience
Direct Impact on Transition Town Totnes Events and Projects
- At present, and in accordance with the latest government guidelines, we have decided to cancel all regular, indoor, in person events and postpone upcoming, one-off events
- This decision has been taken to slow the speed of community transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the entire community. This response has the community's best and deepest interests at heart
- For the time being, the ReConomy Centre remains open for use by members, except those who are at risk of being infected or a risk to others. Please follow the latest government and NHS guidance and please adhere to the new precautions that are now in place
- If you are working at REconomy Centre:
- Wash your hands upon entering and leaving, and don't touch your face
- Use surface cleaners or if necessary bring your own, to wipe down any surfaces you have touched, including door handles
- While working at REconomy Centre, please keep a safe distance from others
- Jay and the team will be looking for information on government relief and useful online tools that will help us to remain resilient during this period. Please keep checking social media and your inbox for more information
- For the time being, Incredible Edible will continue to operate its outdoor activities. Please bring your own gloves if you have them, keep a safe distance from others and contact Briony with any questions you may have briony@transitiontowntotnes.org
- We will continue to review all of our activities and events in light of emerging information and will be keeping a close eye on all developments
Update on Transition Town Totnes Office Closure
From 17 March until further notice, the Transition Town Totnes office, and the Mansion House building where we are located, will be closed.
If you have any queries regarding our ongoing work please contact the relevant group via our website.
Our thanks and thoughts go out to The Mansion House Totnes for supporting its tenants through the suspension of rent payments until it is reopened. Please support them generously by hiring space and attending events when business resumes as usual
Inspiring Responses to Uncertain Times
Coronavirus is impacting people’s lives on a daily basis and in significant ways. Social media is awash with scenes of panic buying and empty supermarket shelves, but if we turn in a different direction we discover heart-warming stories of kindness, compassion and resilience.
Here are just a few examples we would like to share with you:
- Quarantined Italians singing from balconies to lift spirits
- Community responses to help support and care for vulnerable people, from groups of organisations and groups of kind-hearted individuals
- People creating mutual aid groups to support artists, self-employed people and small businesses with lost income
- A wave of petitions online to support those vulnerable to the changes that coronavirus will inevitably bring
More locally, the Corvid-19 Totnes Help Hub has been set up to help the Totnes community support one another during the outbreak. If you need help or are able to offer support to those who need it, please use this page.
Building Physical and Mental Resilience
Our friends at the Network of Wellbeing (NOW) have pulled together the following advice to help us care for our physical and mental health at this challenging time. We hope you find this useful!
From the Network of Wellbeing (NOW):
It is important to stay calm, while also taking the COVID-19 virus very seriously. The spread of the virus can be slowed by the choices we make, and this will lessen the severity of impact on our health system and on wider society.
Recommendations include washing your hands regularly, staying home if you have any symptoms and generally ensuring physical distance from groups. For all of the latest health advice, you can visit the World Health Organisation.
Evidence suggests that this virus is not as dangerous for younger, healthy people and that the majority will recover. However, we will all be impacted and taking precautions is vital to protect those most vulnerable in our society.
This time of uncertainty is of course taking its toll on all of us. The constant news cycle provides us with endless ongoing details as this unprecedented pandemic unfolds. While it is undoubtedly vital to stay informed, it is also important not to get completely overwhelmed.
You can take simple steps to care for your mental health at this time, including:
- Stay connected to others: ‘Social distancing’ is a priority for physical health, but this can actually be best understood as a call for ‘physical distancing’ from each other; it is more important than ever that we stay socially connected. We can find safe ways to connect, for example by reaching out to loved ones for phone calls or video chats
- Make time for simple joys: Listening to the birds singing, doing something creative (like drawing or playing an instrument), reading a new book - there are many things we can do at home to keep our spirits high
- Remember the basics: Drink enough water, get enough sleep, eat as well as you are able to and take some time to move each day (even if it is a yoga or dance session in your living room)
For more info on this important topic, check out:
In the meantime, please stay safe, stay connected and stay in touch. If you’d like to share an inspiring response or an online event that has emerged to support community resilience at this time then please let us know via our social media channels or by dropping us an email on comms@transitiontowntotnes.org.
Warm wishes,
Transition Town Totnes
Transition Town Totnes 