By now there’s no need to introduce the global COVID 19, or coronavirus pandemic. We are all living the pandemic every minute of every day…through the ever- distressing news reports, the constant worries about keeping our families healthy, and the growing concern over how to heal the global economy once we humans have beat this virus.

Certainly healthcare workers deserve the lion’s share of humanity’s gratitude right now. But others—from businesspeople to mums with sewing machines are joining the fight against coronavirus. 

If you’re struggling to see how you can help, here are some ideas:

• Protect yourself and your family first. Perhaps the best way for individuals to help in the COVID fight right now is to follow government guidelines to stay healthy. Yes, this means washing your hands and staying home. It may feel like you’re not doing much, but you are. One less coronavirus case helps the NHS keep that bed for someone else, and that’s massive.

• Check in on your elderly neighbours. Don’t drop by in person, but send them an email phone them up. See how any older persons in your family or social network are and ask how you can help them, even if it’s just through a regular phone call. Loneliness and isolation among the elderly is deadly even in non-pandemic times, so now’s an especially important time to check in on anyone especially vulnerable.

• Consider keeping your direct debits. A massive sector of the economy cannot physically work right now. That includes everyone from house cleaners to taekwondo instructors. If you can afford to, consider keeping direct debits to smaller businesses that are going to struggle to make it through the pandemic. At the very least, consider that if these businesses go under, you’re going to have a lot more trouble finding ones like them once things settle back down.

• Think about giving. For many, charitable giving is not something they have the headspace nor the extra cash to even consider during these incredibly challenging times. But if you’re fortunate enough to have the resources, now– more than ever–is the time to give. Your gift will have more impact now than it would have six months ago simply because the needs now are so great.

Start by thinking about any charities you currently support. Especially if they’re smaller, they are going to be struggling right now. Full stop. Consider making a larger gift to them now.

If you’re stuck for places to give locally, try your local community foundation. Some—like Community Foundation of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland—have set up special coronavirus recovery funds to channel donations to local organisations helping people directly impacted by the pandemic.

If you want to send your money directly to NHS staff and volunteers helping COVID 19 patients, you could give to NHS Charities Together.

However you contribute to the global effort to make it through this time of tremendous uncertainty and suffering, please do your best to stay safe and stay healthy.

Next Steps

As always, if you’d like to start a conversation about your charitable and good-giving plans, please contact me at hello@longhurst.co.uk.

Chris Broome FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

T: 01327 223243

E: chris@longhurst.co.uk