Hackney residents are offering to walk dogs belonging to anyone reluctant to leave their homes.
The initiative is just one example of grassroots activism prioritising vulnerable residents whose lives have been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharan Dhaliwan, 35, has lived in Stoke Newington for over five years and is determined to help the many dog owners restricted by government measures urging the elderly and vulnerable to stay indoors.
“Stoke Newington is a dog-friendly area. I noticed posts on community Facebook groups since the pandemic started as people are sick and need help,” she said.
Sharan was quick to download the ‘Borrow my Dog’ app to find those in need of assistance.
However, she also acknowledges that her motives aren’t purely motivated by selflessness. According to Sharan, dog walking is the perfect tonic for her own struggles with self-isolation.
“I haven’t left my house in a week, which is horrible,” she said. “My anxiety has been really bad.”
“It’s a way of helping someone as well as helping my own mental health, and I also just want to hang out with some dogs.”
Megan Townsend, a 26-year old journalist, who took to Twitter to offer her services, sees dog-walking as a good way of staying sane during self-isolation.
“I’m super lonely, as I live in a house share with people I don’t know very well, so I’m worried I won’t last through quarantine without contact – even if it’s from a dog,” she said.
Megan sees community togetherness and action as our best chance of minimising the impact of the crisis.
“I think helping each other and staying in contact will be the only way we can get through it,” she said.
“People need to be selfless – and stop buying everything in the shops.”
