Photo: Gary and another volunteer at the Bilbrook Initiatives Hub putting together food boxes for local residents in need.
All through the period of lockdown, Gary continued to respond to people’s everyday concerns, as well as working on the new challenges many people faced. You may have seen him out and about litter picking as usual.
During the strictest part of lockdown, Gary got involved as a volunteer delivering shopping to people who found it difficult getting their own. As well as helping with groceries, he also picked up prescriptions from the pharmacy. This delivery service was an initiative of Rev. Simon Douglas, the Vicar of Holy Cross Church. Gary also volunteered for the Bilbrook Initiatives Hub. The project provided boxes of food every other Monday over a period of six weeks to families who needed a little help at a difficult time.
When restrictions began to ease, and the Bilbrook tip re-opened for the first time, a long queue of cars built up on Pendeford Mill Lane. Together with another concerned resident, he informed drivers of the long wait and helped ease the congestion that went on for three days. Gary says:
“My work for the community of Bilbrook is my first priority. I have seen how people have pulled together to make this difficult time easier for each other. It has been a privilege to help out in any way I could.”
Gary is not alone in this. Green Party councillors and volunteers have been helping out throughout the South Staffordshire District, and around the country. For many of them, helping local people is an important contribution to communities. Working together will help improve our communities after the COVID19 crisis.