Mosque launches Covid-19 emergency support for elderly

A London mosque has helped setup a “Covid-19 emergency support team” to help the local elderly and self-isolated families get through the ongoing pandemic.

West London Islamic Centre (WLIC) in West Ealing has teamed up with Salma Food Bank to provide free food packs to anyone requesting help in the area.

With the initiative having been launched last week, volunteers have been on standby with food parcels ready to be delivered within 24 hours to anyone calling or texting their emergency number: 07767 164246.

Having just opened its doors late last year following a multi-million pound redevelopment project, WLIC temporarily closed its doors to the public a fortnight ago in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The worry now is that the more vulnerable members of the community, particularly the elderly and those with preexisting respiratory problems, may not have the support necessary for long-term self-isolation as recommended by the government.

Salma Food Bank itself has said that its “service is running limited due to the COVID19 outbreak” and is currently able to assist only those with families and the elderly.

With a no cash policy and a food depot in Sandwell’s Smethwick, as well as a newly launched site in west London’s Southall, this Midland-based organisation has been operating strictly on food donations ever since it launched in 2016.

While encouraging everyone to “stay at home, support our NHS & save lives”, WLIC is encouraging volunteers to come forward and assist in this service with anyone interested asked to email [email protected].