Note about COVID-19 mutual support WhatsApp group

Typed note about setting up a mutual support WhatsApp group during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020

In the weeks leading up to and during the first national lockdown (March – June 2020), mutual aid groups were formed all around the UK. The first COVID-19 lockdown was the strictest in the UK and there were only a very limited number of reasons why people were allowed to leave their homes. Many people found themselves isolated and/or were finding it difficult to access things like food shopping and prescriptions. Quickly people organised locally, often very informally, to help people in their communities both emotionally and practically. These groups also gave lots of people something to do and a sense of purpose at a time when everything felt uncertain and overwhelming.