Celebrating a good neighbour, Rachel Mason

Everyone Health would like to celebrate Rachel Mason as Good Neighbour of the week.

She has done many good deeds over the last few months to exemplify what a good neighbour is. When we heard about her story we knew we had to share this with the community.

When covid-19 struck she decided to do something to lift the spirts, of not only her street, Victoria road Leigh on sea but people walking by doing their daily exercise. Rachel wanted to bring the neighbourhood together, acknowledge the excellent work of the NHS during this difficult time and also celebrate VR Day so she posted handwritten notes through all her neighbours doors asking if they wanted to decorate the street by hanging bunting.

“I had seen a few streets do it, and thought it looked lovely and really cheerful during a difficult time. I have only lived on my street for 18 months, and didn’t know any of my neighbours so thought I would try to get something positive out of covid-19 - some community spirt!” Rachel says.

Rachel was inundated that day with excited neighbours and the Whatsapp group was created with every house getting involved . Butning was hung in time for VR day and on this day everyone in the street took some chairs onto their drives and enjoyed a socially distanced drink to mark this special occasion. (see picture above)

The Whatsapp group also became a place where anyone shielding / self isolating could ask for help if needed.

A few weeks later there was a house fire down the same street. Fortunately the Whats app group Rachel created came in handy as this allowed all the neighbours to communicate and come together to help with evacuation and assist in any way they could.

“The whatsapp group allowed people to communicate really easily what the family in the house needed. They had a 2 year old and as I do too it was really easy for me to gather the bits they needed for her. The whole street was amazing, with some even helping the firemen put the fire out! someone found them an empty flat to stay in and others gathered mattresses, bedding and towels for them tp use.” Rachel says.

When asked about her motivation to be a good neighbour, Rachel commented:

“It has been a very difficult and strange time, but people have come together and have really supported each other. The street is now a lot closer, and it’s lovely getting to know neighbours, I think the whole street agrees we have become friends because of bunting!

Rachel Mason, Good neighbour

Rachel is also a local business owner based in Leigh #supportlocalbusiness. Her business is called Our Remedy CBD - an ethical CBD brand created by women for period problems. Her goal is ‘to help you with the effects associated with your period, in our own natural way. From plastic free CBD re-fills to charity donations, we want to do our bit and know you do too.’

Clearly being a good neighbour has far more benefits than can be anticipated. On behalf of Everyone Health and the people of Leigh-on-sea we would like to thank Rachel Mason for all her kind and hard work. Your truly are a good neighbour.