Volunteer David, 60, helps lift spirits in his community during Covid-19 pandemic

Community-minded David Wynick has been helping to lift the spirits of older people in his area of Leeds during the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Joanna Wardill
Published 17th Dec 2020, 11:45 BST
David Wynick, who has helped lift the spirits of older residents in his community during the pandemic.David Wynick, who has helped lift the spirits of older residents in his community during the pandemic.
David Wynick, who has helped lift the spirits of older residents in his community during the pandemic.

The 60-year-old grandfather-of-two is a volunteer coach in ‘walking football’ at Moor Allerton Elderly Care (MAECare) - a project he became involved in after attending a session organised by the charity with help from Leeds United in July last year.

From his work on that, he said he learned of the greater need for interaction among the older community - something which clearly became an issue with Covid-19.

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“What started off as attracting and organising sessions for both men and women over 50 soon became much more as I recognised the need for interaction, chat, banter and the including of people I could see were at risk of, or suffering from, isolation.

The walking football team at MAECare, for which David Wynick is a volunteer coach.The walking football team at MAECare, for which David Wynick is a volunteer coach.
The walking football team at MAECare, for which David Wynick is a volunteer coach.

“As the pandemic struck, I had to change the way I delivered this support.”

So the walking football evolved into a home-based activity where David delivered sports kits to residents’ homes and then training over video tutorials and phone support.

During the first lockdown, David also decided to set up a weekly quiz - with people tuning in three times a week to enter, then see the answers then discover their place on the leader board.

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David, who has lived in Alwoodley for 60 years, said: “Recently my wife of 36 years, Jayne, has supported with this and we often film the questions while out walking our dog.

“It’s been fantastic to see how older people have responded to this activity and embraced interacting in new ywas.

“It’s good to see the sparkle in their eyes as they enjoy this new version of contact.”

David has also been involved with a lunch-time fish and chip delivery with MAECare, which takes orders and delivers them to the homes of elderly and often isolated residents using the community access bus.

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“It’s inspiring and rewarding to see how just that few minutes of personal interactions, care and attention makes such a huge difference to someone who is struggling with this new ‘normal’.

“I’m proud to have made a difference.”

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Related topics:LeedsCovid-19Leeds United

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