Lordship Hub to close for a while until it is possible to continue serving the park and our communities again

Hi everyone

Many people are thinking about what we can all do during this public health crisis to help each other and our communities. ‘What’ and ‘how’ need further discussion everywhere. Many new hyper-local mutual aid and solidarity groups in various streets and neighbourhoods seem to be being formed in the last few days, which is to be welcomed. Also to be welcomed is that the Lordship Rec Hub staff and board members held an emergency meeting on Saturday and agreed to try to stay open for as long as possible to support park users and our communities throughout the crisis. This is just the beginning and the Hub anticipates serious personal, financial and social challenges ahead – they will welcome extra support (more info to follow soon).

For all of us, in every street and block of flats, these are some of the things we can do to help the situation:

– spread good practice based on public health guidelines, regarding hygiene, distancing and advice/health helplines, etc

– encourage people to support each other if vulnerable, or in self-isolation

– try to ensure everyone has access to basic food needs etc

– try to ensure people can look after their kids OK if schools etc close

– try to ensure people who lose wages etc don’t face destitution or any threat of eviction from their homes etc

– support the hard-working and over-stretched emergency workers (eg health staff)

– keep general morale up

This is going to be a massive challenge for everyone. Please look after yourselves and each other.

In solidarity,

Dave Morris (Chair, Friends of Lordship Rec)