In response to the challenge of the Coronavirus outbreak, there is an opportunity to be part of a network to help with a local response and to reflect God’s grace on behalf of Church of the Martyrs.

Generous Martyrs is a network that is being launched to help identify where there are local needs and ways of responding with small acts of kindness.

If you are already involved with an initiative to support those in the community, please carry on! Generous Martyrs is not seeking to replace this but will hopefully help provide other members of our church with a way of making a local response.

The network will primarily use a WhatsApp group to communicate with each other and to identify where there are needs and how these can be met.

If you wish to be part of the Generous Martyrs network, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and mobile number. You will then be invited to be part of the group.

The initial co-ordination will be undertaken by Lorraine, Robin, Grace and Sam Pointon with input from Bertin and others, to help with the development of the network. If you have questions about the network, please contact Lorraine or Robin.

Generous Martrys Initiatives
(What we are currently doing and have done recently)

• Creating a list of DVD's and jigsaws which can be lent out
• Sharing resources so volunteers can make scrub caps and headbands for NHS workers
• Working on creative ideas to share with our community in the future
• Supporting our local food bank
• Supporting Money Matters Leicester (we have recently been collecting old phones for use by their clients)
• Creating craft packs for children and delivering them
• Planning "virtual" social activities

 

Generous Martrys Possibilities

At a recent meeting the following suggestions were put forward as ideas of things we could do:

• Community litter pick
• Chalk art in area around the church
• Church gardening
• Church cleaning
• Random acts of kindness  
• Leaflet drop for services and courses  
• Prayer for healing in the community e.g. park  
• Online courses e.g. marriage, exploring faith   

For more information about any of these initiatives or if you have an suggestions for other  initiatives please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Local initiatives offering support

There are a number of other local initiatives responding to the challenge of Covid-19. Here are ones that we are aware of:

Leicester Covid-19 Mutual Aid group
www.facebook.com/groups/289960355307518

Leicester's West End Coronavirus support network
www.facebook.com/groups/204481717445373

Stay Well and Helping Others Stay Well

It is important that in all our actions, we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. It is essential to follow the latest medical advice. See www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
 

Safeguarding

Church of the Martyrs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and all people. All activity undertaken must comply with this. No personal information is to be shared in the WhatsApp group (e.g. phone numbers/email/addresses). For more details on the policy, please go to martyrs.org.uk/m/index.php/safeguarding
 

Ideas – what can I do?

Whatever we do must follow the directives from our government and NHS.

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.

You can only leave your home:

• to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
• to do a form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
• for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
• to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary

The Government updates from time to time the restrictions so please check here for the latest guidance: 

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do

 

Here some ideas on what we can do to support.

• Circulate a ‘Can I Help Card’ (print version of the Card)
• Offer to do some shopping for a neighbour
• Make a cake

 

FAQs

How do I join the group? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and mobile number.

How do I offer help? Look out for messages on the WhatsApp group looking for help and then respond as you wish.

How do requests for help get posted? Post them on the WhatsApp group but without any personal details. If there is personal information that needs to go with the request, please email this information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.