Kilburn has changed so much in the last 3 weeks… We’re 1 week into lockdown. So what’s been happening in Kilburn?
Kiburn Buddy-up system
We’re so pleased to share with you that our Kilburn Covid-19 buddy system is helping those in the area that need assistance with a helpful buddy. If you’re in need and need a buddy or would like to volunteer to be a buddy please see here. A generous local group printed 4000 flyers and along with some helpful volunteers we managed to letterbox drop to as many streets in the area as was possible, and gave flyers out to a lot of key stores, banks, pharmacies and medical centres along the high road before the lockdown was in place. We thank so much all the volunteers, helping to bring Kilburn together in these difficult times. We have a telephone line for people without access to the internet on 07894973434. We encourage you to refer anybody vulnerable to our service. So far we have helped facilitate 26 buddy pairs.
We do not aim to replace statutory services but having local help is reassuring for those in need. We have found that most people are reluctant to become a burden on others and when we tell them that a neighbour will help, they accept help easier.
Other ways to get support
Local groups such as Age UK Camden are doing their best to help those in need and if you know anyone who doesn’t have access to the internet & needs support such as accessing essential supplies please encourage them to call the Camden Council coronavirus helpline or refer them to the Brent hotline for vulnerable people..
Covid-19 Mutual Aid groups have also been set-up in the area. You can click here to find your local group.
If you live in Camden and are able to help volunteer there are opportunities listed by Camden council here. Local MP Tulip Siddiq has also set up http://togetheragainstcoronavirus.com a website with information and resources to help all Hampstead and Kilburn residents work together to get through the coronavirus crisis.
Advice4renters, a local charity located on Willesden Lane also has a wealth of information.
If you’re a business and need support or info see here, and if you’re in the hospitality industry there’s info for help here.
Abbey Community Centre are still reachable for a friendly chat or advice.
How can I help?
If you’re looking for ways to help local businesses through this tough time, then why not order a delivery from a local restaurant, buy a gift voucher to use later at a nail or hair salon, Kiln theatre or do some food shopping at some of our local stores. As things are changing on a daily basis we find it difficult to provide an up to date list! While the big supermarkets are often out of essentials like rice, pasta or canned vegetables, the corner stores often still have stock. Hilal also has a large range of food and often gets deliveries of toilet paper too. Hillmans butchers is also open. The post office in West Hampstead’s Sherriff centre is still open while the post office in Brondesbury Villas has reduced opening hours.
Don’t forget if you’re over 70 or work for the NHS the large local supermarkets have special shopping hours available, but if you’re over 70 then please ask us to find you a buddy so that someone can do this for you or help you organise an online supermarket delivery.
You could donate money to a local foodbank or a local charity supporting the vulnerable. Sacred Heart Church Food Bank in Quex Road are still accepting food donations.
Because you are home, and probably shopping online, consider using giveasyoulive to raise money for a charity when you shop, at not cost to you!
The Camden New Journal are looking for volunteers to deliver their newspaper directly to homes. The paper will contain weekly a 4 pages spread from Camden Council.
Please do not waste food! if you have excess food please consider donating it to a food bank, or if unable to travel please leave it outside your property wih a note or use Olio, a service for food exchange.
Kings College London have developed an app to track symptoms of Covid-19 to get a better understanding on how it spreads and to slow down the spread.
Although rubbish collections are still happening, please be considerate, wear gloves or wash your hands when taking rubbish out, and if you are self isolating double bag your rubbish! And since both recycling centres are closed, please keep your large items for the moment.
Please do not be a COVIDIOT, and if you go out respect the 2m distancing rule, so that our parks can stay open.
Why not brighten the neighbourhood and display a rainbow or teddy bear in your window?
Other News
In some good Coronavirus related news, we’re so happy to hear that West Hampstead local Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released from her Iranian jail for now.
When persistence pays off! More lighting has been reinstated on the Kilburn murals. And amidst all the organising of the buddy-up system, we had a phone meeting with the Head of environment services in Camden to discuss waste collections on Kilburn High Road.
Little Bay has now closed down after going into administration. Rush hairdressers have also gone.
Pre lockdown local charity Rumi’s kitchen helped serve food to the homeless and lonely. they are still doing daily takeaway breakfasts. TK Maxx donated Easter eggs for the children at Kilburn Grange school, Foodcycle Kilburn offered takeaway lunches from St Cuthberts church (future services are now on hold) and the Granville commercial kitchen organised take aways and food distribution to those in need. Local cafe Piccolo made sandwiches and donated food to the Royal Free and Mass, its owner, has been busy delivering prescriptions for the NHS.
You got out in force on the 26th of March to clap for our carers. Well done. Here is a twitter moments with footage from all over Kilburn.
Beware of Coronavirus scams. Some are listed here, here by the police
The Kilburn high road street party that was scheduled for the 11th July is postponed until next year. A great opportunity to ensure that we and you from Kilbur, get more say in its organisation.!
Rather disgraceful that the occupiers of the new blocks in South Kilburn, managed by Land Q still do not have hot water and heating.
Looking for some home entertainment ideas?
The Lexi Cinema in Kensal Rise is offering a range of films for you to watch for free. West Hampstead bookshop, West End lane books is offering a book delivery service and the Village Haberdashery has an online shop and is delivering. Listen to some music recorded at St Augustine’s Kilburn or watch This wonderful documentary on BBC iPlayer filmed 35 years ago, has stacks of footage and interviews from along the 31 bus route. If you live in an NW postcode you’ll love it. Also the Good Ship Comedy, are live streaming!
Why not brush up on Kilburn’s history and read through the blog of our local historian?
Also there is an updated music map.
Did you know that the writers of ‘Father Ted’ lived in Kilburn, Brondesbury Road to be exact.
Want to learn about the bomb at Biddy Mulligan?
Take a tour of a museum without the crowds such as the British museum
Yogaloft in Queens Park are streaming yoga classes, free if you work for the NHS.
Audible have made thousands of books available to listen to for free.
If you have children to try to entertain have a look at these ideas from the Scouts, or from Twinkl resources. Also the Literacy Trust have loads of free ressources.
You could also learn essential first aid skills to reduce the pressure on the NHS.
And because Kilburn is Kilburn….. someone without a mask decided to improvise with a rice crispy box!