Most of us would agree that 2020 has been a pretty awful year, but not for this grassroots charity in Annecy…What can we learn from pandemic year to make us stronger in 2021?
Like many people I generally think about things while I am out walking or running. Yesterday I was wondering what to put in Lake Aid’s end-of-year newsletter. For those who don’t know, Lake Aid is a 100% volunteer-run, grassroots charity helping homeless and asylum-seeking children in Annecy.
As I mentally scrolled through Lake Aid’s 2020, I realised that our charity had had a good year. We had undertaken 3 new projects, raised more money than ever before, attracted new volunteers, plus developed new and deeper partnerships with other charities.
So, what could we learn from this year of pandemic?
- Charities must be agile to stay relevant – When France went into lockdown in March 2020, we had to cancel Lake Aid’s upcoming events. We stayed at home and listened to the news, where there was much talk of PPE and a worldwide shortage of masks. Suddenly, a brainwave! Why didn’t Lake Aid’s volunteers start making reusable masks, and selling them to raise funds? Within days, our team of volunteers went from sitting on their hands to becoming expert mask-makers. Who could have predicted that by June Lake Aid would have sold 728 reusable masks, and given 502 to people in need? Our agility enabled us to continue to have impact, through the most challenging circumstances.
- Local communities are stronger than ever – 2020 forced everyone to stay home. We travelled less, we talked to our neighbours more, we looked to within our local communities for support. For Lake Aid, this local focus has brought forth many new and highly-motivated volunteers. During the October holidays, 18 volunteers worked together to organise a fantastic programme of outdoors activities for children and unaccompanied minors living in shelters. In the summer, 20 volunteers provided meals and activities for homeless children enjoying an inclusive holiday camp. Our local community came together and realised the power of working together.
- Helping others helps ourselves – Who hasn’t suffered with stress during this extraordinary time? Being a Lake Aid volunteer has helped many this year with their mental health. Getting out of their usual routine and doing something new; with, and for, different people has been beneficial for everyone. Being needed, feeling productive and staying active are essential ‘sanity-savers’.
- Grassroots charities like Lake Aid are more important than ever – This winter is going to be truly terrible for many families in Annecy – short of food, money and work; bringing up children while under intolerable stress. Sadly, we can’t change the course of this pandemic. But we can, through grassroots charity work, come together to try to take some of the pain away. Thanks to Lake Aid’s volunteers, there will be more children with a smile on their face as they open their Christmas Box, and fewer grumbling tummies as we deliver essential food to our charity partners.
I’ve learnt this year that Lake Aid is not just about the children and families we help. It’s also about the process of helping. Grassroots charities have a key role to play in developing individual and community resilience. Surely that’s a good thing as we head into 2021 and the challenges the new year may bring!