Thank you Zoe

Zoe sets up borough-wide Mutual Aid thanks to her army of wonderful volunteers

Nominated by Cllr Joan Atkinson, South Tyneside resident, Zoe Scott, set up South Tyneside Mutual Aid at the beginning of the pandemic.

Aiming to help those impacted by the outbreak of the virus in South Tyneside, Zoe established teams of volunteers covering the whole borough. Her aim was to create a safe way of community volunteering while assisting our vulnerable neighbours and other voluntary agencies in the area during the crisis.

Cllr Joan Atkinson, said: “Zoe’s organisational skills, hard work and commitment is outstanding and she now oversees scores of volunteers in conjunction with South Tyneside Council with safeguarding a priority. Zoe is modest, diplomatic and committed to Mutual Aid in South Tyneside and providing support and help to those that need it. Zoe saw an opportunity to help vulnerable people and she is truly outstanding.”

Zoe, said: “I am actually an artist in my normal day role but I do have a background in safeguarding and child protection. I spotted Mutual Aid groups across the country and wanted to bring this to the borough, ensuring that they were brought to fruition in a secure way with the relevant DBS checks and screening.

“We now have a staggering 280 volunteers and we have been adopted by South Tyneside Council to the benefit of the wider community. Working alongside the Council, volunteers have access to mobile phones which residents can contact them on if they need support.

“I simply put the wheels in motion and our wonderful volunteers collect and deliver essential items to the homes of residents. We also assist people who may be struggling with their mental health by buddying them up with a volunteer who they can talk to on the phone. We want the community to still feel together at this difficult time. It is wonderful to see people, whose paths would probably never have crossed, forge such connections. I am forever grateful to all the volunteers who are working as one supporting the community and each other.”

“The Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor Norman Dick, said: “On behalf of the people of South Tyneside, The Mayoress and I would like to convey our gratitude to you for setting up South Tyneside Mutual Aid and supporting a new army of volunteers.

“It is wonderful to see the community spirit and action of people from all walks of life. As the Borough’s First Citizen, I would like to say a huge personal thank you for playing such a great part in bringing our community further together and for helping us address this challenge right from the start. We are extremely #proud.”

Read a press release about Zoe