No One Left Behind In Shannon
“This has been about team.” That’s the message Sharon Williams, Community Innovation Navigator in Shannon, is determined to emphasise. The rural community has been well looked-after by an army of volunteers since Covid-19 began affecting daily life, and Sharon has worked around the clock to be part of co-ordinating this. Under the umbrella of the Shannon Covid-19 Response Team, the locals have come together to meet every kind of need imaginable.
Unlike its neighbouring towns, Shannon doesn’t have the same access to support, so it was up to the community to care for those in need. “It’s been like a jigsaw puzzle; everyone’s come in and just played their part,” Sharon said. The work of this group began before lockdown, when Sharon compiled a flyer with contact details for different types of support. With the help of the local school to print and deliver them, the team worked frantically until lockdown began to ensure that every household in Shannon received a flyer.
But since then, plenty of stories of people being looked after have accumulated. Among countless drop- offs of winter clothing, blankets, heaters, firewood, food parcels and hot meals—the latter two funded by a grant from the Ministry of Social Development—some unusual requests have been met, too. An elderly couple who had pulled out their carpet before lockdown had the cold wind drafts coming through their floor replaced by pre-loved carpet. Another man with a respiratory condition had his grass cut by a couple of young people and their leaders, as it was feared that the seed heads might be aggravating his condition.
Alongside the practical support, mental wellbeing needs have also been met, with people being linked up with counsellors and varying specialists over the phone. Sharon’s role in all of this has been a combination of coordinating volunteers, and connecting people with the help they need. “It’s just about linking in with other key people,” she said.
Having started the role of Community Innovation Navigator on the March 2nd, this task Could have been daunting for Sharon. But 13 years of living—and being deeply ingrained—in Shannon’s community meant she was more than prepared to take it on. The timing of starting the role was uncanny, and Sharon is sure that God was present in this. “When I came back permanently in 2007, I knew I would end up in community work. I just knew it would happen one day,” she said.
Sharon juggles this new role with being the Youth and Children’s worker at the Shannon-Foxton parish, as well as being a social work supervisor.
She’s hopeful about the way the current circumstances have activated the community to care for each other: “There’s lots of conversations and energy around that already, so it will be really exciting to look at my part in taking that forward.” If you’re taking on work similar to this, Sharon would love to support you. Don’t hesitate to contact her at sharonhumphrey@hotmail.com
By Tessa Guest
