The coronavirus pandemic brought uncertainty and disruption, but also a huge outpouring of compassion and generosity. We reflect on the RGS We Care initiative and how we, the Reigatian community, rose to the challenges that coronavirus and lockdown presented.

In March 2020, the Foundation team quickly reviewed its plans and immediately went into action, writing to those who were isolating. We published The Reigatian magazine, believing it would be a welcome distraction, and began a programme of weekly email newsletters and phone calls, whilst also coordinating a range of outreach projects. We believe our community is stronger than ever and we were overwhelmed by the positive response. Please see a summary of these activities below.

RGS We Care: a summary in numbers

We informed

We drew on the talents of our community to provide relevant support and information:

• Coronavirus: an epidemiologist’s view: an expert Reigatian answered common questions
• Psychologist and former student, Joe Cheal shared bespoke guidance on protecting your mental wellbeing in lockdown
• Morrisons Solicitors supported the business community with a Corporate Insights webinar
• Steam Wine Bar ran a quarantine quiz night
• From the front line: hospital ICU
• From the front line: GP surgery
• From the front line: care homes
• From the front line: physiotherapist
• Reigatians in Action: we celebrated those Reigatians who were working on the front line through the pandemic
• In partnership with RGS parents Jo and Luke Gray, we offered a free online health programme
• With help from Reigatian Martin Jacks, we provided a guide to Creating a Covid-secure workplace

We provided practical support 

• We stripped science labs, food tech and art rooms for gloves, aprons and goggles, which have been sent to support NHS and other front line staff
• Our Design Technology department made over 1,000 visors, which were delivered to a number of local healthcare organisations
• Our minibuses were registered with Reigate and Banstead volunteers distribution hub
• The Foundation team wrote to, and called, our older or vulnerable Reigatians, offering practical help
• RGS We Care: Who have we helped? With the support of volunteers, we coordinated the pick up and delivery of shopping, prescriptions and had cheques banked, for local Reigatians who sought our help
• RGS worked with the local Foodbank, acting as a drop-off point for donations
• We worked with local charity, Stripey Stork to collect donations of nappies and stationery for families affected by the pandemic

We celebrated the talents of our community

• On the last day before lockdown, the Music department recorded a series of plugged unplugged performances
• Current Sixth Form students recorded a quarantine version of One Day More from Les Misérables
• We shared interviews with current and former sports men and women with the PE department’s Pilgrim Podcast series
• The RGS Drama department live streamed past productions of Sweeney Todd, Abigail’s Party, Les Misérables and more
• Acapella singing group, Quintus recorded a special version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
• RGS parent, Hari Ghotra showed us how to cook curries in her weekly online cook-along

Stay connected

Please continue to keep in touch via our social media channels:

• Join the Reigatian Community group on Facebook
• Follow @FoundationRGS on Twitter
• Follow @RGSFoundation on Instagram

If the RGS team can help in any way, please get in contact via our dedicated number, or email: Telephone/text: 07535 799344 or email: rgswecare@www.rgs.foundation

#RGSWeCare