Doing Well During the Pandemic? How to Give Back to Others

The current coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the world has caused a lot of disruption to individual lives. Many people are concerned about their health and that of their loved ones. Others are struggling to get by as they are out of work. Some have found lockdowns and stay-at-home orders to be extremely damaging to their mental health. But not everybody has suffered. Some people including essential workers and certain business owners have managed to thrive. They’ve managed to do even better than usual during the pandemic.

If you run a business that’s in high demand right now, such as selling personal protective equipment, hygiene products, or online services, you might have benefitted from the current pandemic. And if you’re doing well, you might want to give back and do something to help others who have been less fortunate. Here are some of the best things that you can do.

Peer Support

Sometimes, all people need is a kind listening ear when they have a problem that they need to share. Listening to others and being there for them during tough times can be very powerful. You can do this as a peer support specialist with Hushley. Hushley is a peer support app that is set to launch at the end of this year.  It is offering peer support work to certified peers who want to spend their time helping and supporting others through a crisis.

A peer support job can be done from home using the app at times that suit you. You will be paid for the interactions that you have with users, which are monitored by psychologists. A role as a peer support specialist with Hushley is ideal for anybody who has overcome problems of their own and wants to use what they have learned to support others. Certified peers and qualified social workers can sign up to start a peer support job.

Volunteer

If you have some spare time on your hands and want to use it as a force for good, several voluntary position options will allow you to be there for others and help throughout this crisis. Local food banks and charities that help people who are struggling during these times are always looking for caring volunteers to deliver food, provide support, and collect donations. You can also volunteer for mental health support helplines which are more important than ever during these uncertain times, with more people feeling the need to get their problems off their chest and speak to somebody who understands.

Donate

The pandemic has left many people struggling to find work and make money, and if you’re doing better than usual, one of the best ways to give back is to donate anything that might help somebody else. If your pantry is full, you may consider clearing out some items that you don’t need that others could make use of if they are struggling to afford food. Speak with local charitable organizations and churches to find out how you can help by donating food items. Household goods and clothes are also going to be in high demand, particularly as we approach the winter months and people may be struggling to afford items like warm coats and sweaters. Your closet clear-out could be more helpful than you realize.

Bring Your Community Together

If you know that people are struggling in your community as a result of the pandemic but there’s little available in the way of local help and support, consider taking the initiative and setting something up yourself. Community support groups on Facebook, for example, have become increasingly popular during the pandemic as they provide a space for local people to both ask for and offer help. Setting up a social media group for people in your community gives people in need a safe place to ask for support with food items, household goods, and other essentials that they might be struggling to obtain due to financial struggles.

Make PPE

With masks now mandatory in many states around the US, those who are feeling the pinch of the pandemic the most are struggling to get the PPE that they need to remain legal when out in public. This has led to many creative people making and donating personal protective equipment like masks and face coverings. Since surgical masks are not required and guidelines accept any face covering as long as it is over the mouth and nose, you can make masks from almost any type of comfortable fabric quite easily if you have a sewing machine and some basic skills. If you have always wanted to learn how to sew and have some spare time, this could be a great time to start while helping others at the same time.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who is doing well during this current pandemic, there are plenty of ways in which you can offer your support and give back to your community by being there for those who need it the most.