The COVID-19 pandemic, an unexpected global crisis, has changed everyday life in a short period of time while creating a global emergency. Communities have rapidly responded to this fast-moving situation by creating bottom-up initiatives. COVID-19 mutual aid groups have emerged under these circumstances as a key response by communities for communities.
COVID-19 mutual aid groups are informally and horizontally organised local groups in order to respond to the urgent needs of vulnerable and shielding individuals. These groups have sprung up in many cities and neighbourhoods in the UK. COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK, a support network for these emerging groups, maps thousands of mutual aid groups working in the UK.
The main aim of COVID-19 mutual aid groups is to provide practical support for individuals who have to self-isolate at home and do not have a safety net to provide them with essential items such as food or medicine, or who are unable to access these essentials by other means (e.g. unable to access online shopping due to impairment, disability, or financial or digital exclusion).
The individuals that these groups aim to help may be self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms or sheltering because they belong to one of the government-defined ‘vulnerable groups’ (e.g. the elderly or chronically ill).
Given the exponential spread of the virus and the risk to vulnerable groups, these new mutual aid practices have become a lifesaving act of solidarity to many of those who cannot leave home and cannot access the essentials for ensuring good health and wellbeing.
Click the map below to explore the groups in the UK and beyond:
From Charity to Solidarity 