Nidderdale Plus Community Hub, North Yorkshire

We are coordinating the response across the whole of Nidderdale and Washburn Valley in North Yorkshire.  We have facilitated the setting up of 13 volunteer networks across the area, and provided them with best practice so that they can recruit volunteers safely (we emphasise the importance of using DBS checked people where possible) and keep them safe whilst they are volunteering.  We have also issued a simplified safeguarding policy so that volunteers know what to look for and the appropriate way to escalate concerns. We provide templates, and have printed for some of the networks, leaflets and postcards that are specific to their area.  It is important that self-isolating residents have trust in the volunteer that is coming down their path, so we try to ensure where possible that the is Parish Council branding in each network on the information material that is produced.  As a community library, we are now offering home delivery of books and jigsaws, using our own community car and volunteers, and we also worked with the local GP practice which has three surgeries, to do all prescription deliveries to those who are self isolating, using volunteers and one vehicle.  This also has the benefit of reducing footfall at the surgery dispensaries. We are about to launch a food bank and are implementing a hardship scheme.

Caldervale Support Group, Lancashire

Calder Vale is a small village community clustered around a working Cotton Mill (Lappet Manufacturing. A village support group has been formed and we aim to provide support for anyone who is vulnerable or over 70 or self-isolating and had no family to support them, through volunteers, who are also residents, providing assistance with shopping, prescription collection and delivery, carrying out Post Office requests, phone support and other tasks such as bins being put out and back and minor gardening chores. 

The now 15 volunteers recognised that local businesses also needed support, so the local newsagent started delivering fresh milk to the doorstop and delivering local Garstang Market produce.  The Methodist Chapel monthly Lunch Club had to be suspended due to the Chapel having to be closed, it was decided that we would continue to support The Lunchbox and ask if the two course lunch could be delivered outside the Chapel each Friday.  The lunches are collected by those that have ordered them.

There is even a Saturday fish and chip supper, made by local business where orders are phoned and paid for and a volunteer collects and delivers to homes. Usually in May we host Bluebell Teas for the many visitors who come to walk in the famous Bluebell woods.  Volunteers have arranged with a plant nursery that usually supplies plants for sale to make these available to the local community.  We hope to be proactive and as a need arises we aim to rise to the occasion and help as much as we can. The volunteers use WhatsApp, a social media platform, to communicate and the help each other as well as the community!e

Etchingham, East Sussex

Etchingham is a village of 700 electors so quite small but the response from the community to a call for volunteers mounted by two local ladies is exemplary.  They were so quick off the mark the Parish Council decided to support them, by paying for the printing of the leaflets delivered to every house in the parish by the marvellous local team of postmen rather than 'compete'.  They are also promoting a number of local food businesses that are delivering directly to homes as an alternative to supermarkets.  The four firms are very local and two at least do not normally undertake home deliveries but have stepped up to the mark in this crisis.

East Illsey Parish Council, West Berkshire

Set up the East Ilsley Emergency Response Team who are 27 volunteers living in the village.  They cover shopping, medicine collection , dog walking and friendly phone chats to those who are vulnerable, in isolation or shielded.

Street Parish Council, Somerset

Local community support group set up which is providing a service for the community, helping to deliver shopping for vulnerable people, pick up and delivery of medication and prescriptions, delivery of food hampers to families of children entitled to free school meals, delivery of Easter Eggs to children, delivery of food parcels to vulnerable people through Salvation Army,  regular telephone contact with isolated individuals to combat loneliness, and a leaflet drop to all households in area.  In addition, there has been a follow up newsletter to all households and a dedicated website created to provide single place for information.  The Baptist Church is providing hot meals once a week to around 100 people a week  and the provision of "Message in a bottle" through local Lions Club to provide vital medical information for vulnerable people to health workers coming into people's homes. Provision of mobile phones to support schools needing to keep in touch with vulnerable children.

Bettws y crwyn Parish Council, Shopshire

Established community facebook page to encourage communication, offers of help and to disseminate local and county information

Carleton-in-Craven Parish Council, Craven

The local shop keeper has extended his range of goods to cater for those not able to access the nearby supermarkets. One resident has been producing hand sanitiser as a by-product of his business.

Tixover Parish Meeting, Rutland

We have a small volunteer group aiming at assisting anyone in need within the Parish. Shopping, Medicine Collections and Dog Walking are on offer, though, so far, only the Medicine Collection is being taken up in any numbers.

Tenterden Town Council, Ashford

Town Council has supported the setting up of a volunteer organisation to help with deliveries, dog walking, phone support etc for the self-isolating. This runs alongside an existing food bank service for those in need and a "meals on wheels" service provided by the local social hub. This organisation normally serves as a meals and social provider for the elderly but the service is now being handled remotely. The council has made cash available to all 3 organisations plus the local surgery and has released the pavilion for surgery usage. Our local county organisation has allocated on-going funding for the social hub.

Thwing & Octon Parish Council, East Riding of Yorkshire

We have hand delivered flyers with 4 contact numbers to everyone in the parish. We have a facebook page and being a small rural community, we have a good social network and are aware of likely vulnerable people.