Charity founded by Conon Bridge man recognised for support offered to Covid-19 sufferers
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Scottish government motion to congratulate a national Covid-19 charity on their work and dedication has been tabled by MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton.
The motion recognises the nationwide efforts of 'covid:aid', a Covid-19 support community founded by Conon Bridge native Michael MacLennan.
Since its launch, covid:aid has offered support to tens of thousands of people across the UK who have been significantly affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In October 2021, it launched its free Covid-19 support community and has so far reached more than 75,000 through its website alone.
The community has enabled users to access a wide range of advice and information on topics such as long covid, grief and bereavement, and trauma, as well as short courses which provide tips and management strategies to help with common symptoms linked to Covid-19, including loss of smell and fatigue.
The charity also offers regular community Q&A sessions with organisations such as the UK’s leading bereavement charity, Cruse Bereavement Support, and Virtual Drop-In Cafés.
In addition to its community services, the charity conducts vital work on 'long covid' research and tools being developed to assist with post-Covid-infection care alongside national bodies such as the British Lung Foundation. Examples include the National Institute for Health Research-funded LISTEN project and the NHS-funded Long Covid diagnostic tool 'My Long Covid Needs'.
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Cole-Hamilton, who tabled the motion, said: “The pandemic has affected everyone. Whether that be their mental or physical health, or their finances. One of my party’s main priorities over the last two years has been to make sure everyone gets the support they need, when they need it, and for as long as they need it.
“The work of charities like covid:aid has been absolutely vital in the battle against Covid and its knock on effects, and it will play an important role in supporting the 100,000 people in Scotland who are suffering with Long Covid.
"I’m grateful to Michael MacLennan and everyone at covid:aid for the wonderful work they have done to deliver such a wide range of support and information to people up and down the country, and pleased to see his work acknowledged at Parliament.”
The motion, which is live on the Scottish Parliament website, is titled ‘Congratulations to covid:aid’ and states: “That the Parliament recognises Scotland-based charity, covid:aid, and, in particular, the work of founder and chief executive Michael MacLennan; acknowledges the charity's dedication to delivering the widest possible range of support to those people, across the whole of the UK, who have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including around Long Covid, grief and bereavement, trauma, loss, financial hardship, vaccines, and other issues; and congratulates covid:aid on the significant amount it has achieved in the 6 months of its existence, having provided tens of thousands of people with services including counselling, courses, advice, and information.”
Founder and chief executive of the charity, Mr MacLennan said, “We are delighted that our efforts in the provision Covid-19 support following the coronavirus outbreak have been acknowledged.
"We are a small, new charity with ambitious goals for 2022. I am sure this recognition from Alex and the Scottish Parliament will help drive us towards delivering on those targets and beyond.
“There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, an effect on the lives of millions of families and individuals in the UK. covid:aid are committed to representing these people as a trusted national charity here to address their needs.”
For more information, visit covidaidcharity.org.
