In a viral outbreak of ‘Relentless Optimism’ in these dark times, the last few days has seen hundreds of community-based care & mutual aid groups set up around the UK, as people organise collectively & voluntarily to provide the necessary care & support our Tory Govt is clearly not interested. In Bristol alone, there are now dozens of groups & sub-groups springing up, gathered under this umbrella group ‘Bristol Community Care – Covid-19 Mutual Aid’ – FB link. There are then sub-groups based on postcode (see below for full listing), which themselves then sub-divide into smaller street based groups. Whilst FB is being used for the headline organising, below that there are whatsap comms groups, shared google docs, drop box links, email lists and more. Our feature image, from a mural in Easton, is taken from the BS5 Community Care (Covid-19 Mutual Aid) group – FB link.

Nationally, this website Covid Mutual Aid UK, is trying to list every group, as well as providing core resources on everything from ‘What does a Covid mutual aid local group/volunteer do?‘ to ‘Safeguarding and Security‘.

So what’s it all about? Here’s what the Bristol Community Care – Covid-19 Mutual Aid say (FB link):

“This group is for people who want to help eachother in Bristol in response to the situation with covid19. The group comes from a basis of solidarity not charity; this means helping each other not with power or because of seeing someone as “less fortunate”, but as friends, comrades, and neighbours, without expecting anything in return.

To provide for each others needs, we also need to build community. A community that will last beyond the next few weeks and grow into the future so that we can support each other with all struggles.”

The essential remit of each group is basically being a ‘good neighbour’, checking in to see people are ok, picking up some shopping for them, walking their dog and so on – all for free…whilst at all times striving to ensure the virus does not spread, and that nobody is taking the piss, making money, abusing the relationship. Whilst safeguards can be put in place to protect both the care-givers and those in need of support, at the end of the day much of it does come down to trust. That these days can be difficult, as the appalling & dishonest behaviours of policiticans, profiteers & the media has fostered a climate of distrust and individualism. Perhaps the silver lining of this very dark cloud above & amongst us is that trust & community will make a strong comeback!? You can of course do all these activities without having a formalised group, and many people will already be doing this based on their existing friend & community networks. But given this crisis is likely to be around for a long time, formalising links, sharing resources, and ensuring transparency, does make sense.

Things will develop over the coming days & weeks, as the virus spreads, and Governments panic. These groups will evolve and may well expand their remits – perhaps to cover local distribution of food & other necessities; to help those facing evictions or disconnections, and plain old poverty. They may also take up more obvious political demands to ensure community safety & wellbeing in the face of escalating financial crisis, profiteering, and authoritarian governmental directives. That also means these groups will come under attack, from politicians and others who have abused their power, but are desperate to hold onto it, whatever the cost to our communities may be. So watch this space, and the groups themselves.

But for now here is a list of Bristol postcode groups, taken from this FB link (keep checking for updates):



Bristol postal districts

BS1: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223634625694691/

BS2 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/505609283459854/

BS3: https://www.facebook.com/groups/523617738532309/

BS4 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/297601004550412/

BS5: https://www.facebook.com/groups/506054493680258/

BS6: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3633792870026661/

BS7 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/220811902446205/

BS8 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/549575592341916/

BS9 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/659101674883198/

BS10: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2586699761568664/

BS11: https://www.facebook.com/groups/571070506832488/

BS13: https://www.facebook.com/groups/835058770347193/

BS14: https://www.facebook.com/groups/562228837736325/

List of all groups by postal district, BS postcodes only https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NtRq7kRhIRFmFPWwI412OhzuZWD3ihdciJTMyhOyMQY/edit?usp=sharing

BS postal districts outside Bristol (Listed to help people find other groups):

South Glos area: (all, including BS15 BS16 BS30 BS32 BS34 BS35 BS36 BS37) https://www.facebook.com/groups/COVID19SGlos

BS16 only: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1479015522267235/

Bath and North East Somerset:

Bath Mutual Aid group: (BA postal districts) https://www.facebook.com/groups/968048970235948/

BS39, BS40 NEW: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156554505471231/

Unknown group: BS31



Other BS postcodes:

North Somerset, Unknown groups: BS20 BS21 BS22 BS23 BS24 BS25 BS29 BS41 BS48 BS49

Somerset, Unknown groups: BS26 BS27 BS28

Good luck & take care everybody!

(image credits: feature image &calling card – BS5 Community Care (Covid-19 Mutual Aid) group; other image – Covid Mutual Aid UK)