Covid-19 support volunteers across Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth say 'we're still here'

With another nationwide lockdown in place this week, it's business as usual for the Covid-19 support groups.

Since March, both the Warwick and Leamington Covid Mutual Aid group and the Covid-19 Kenilworth Support group have been working to help people across the Warwick district.

The groups, which are made up of armies of volunteers, provide services such as essential deliveries, prescription deliveries, phone lines where people can have a chat, and meal deliveries.

Both groups want to reassure residents that they are still around and operating to help residents in need.

A spokesperson from the Warwick and Leamington group said: "With more than 7,000 Facebook followers, activity has picked up significantly since the announcement of imminent new restrictions, and the group’s dedicated volunteers are readying themselves for a renewed surge in demand.

"Since the service was launched in March, some 720 local families have benefitted from regular help with medicine, food and other essential deliveries while shielding or quarantining, whilst the Phone Pals have continued to provide a listening ear and a friendly voice on a weekly basis for over a hundred isolated or lonely residents."

Lucy Ledger, an area co-ordinator for the group, added: “Referrals come to us from a wide range of sources, from relatives out of area who are concerned about vulnerable family members, to doctors’ surgeries and various council departments.

"Despite demand fluctuations, we have never downed tools and recently made our 3,300th call. If the need is there, then so are we."

A spokesperson from the Kenilworth group said: "We want to reassure Kenilworth residents that we will still be operating to support local vulnerable residents.

"The charity’s prescription delivery service from local pharmacies will continue to operate as before, as will its Call Pal helpline and meal delivery activities for the town’s most vulnerable residents.

"Two months ago the group picked up responsibility for the meals scheme set up in the first lockdown by Molly’s Meals.

"All these activities are operated by an army of amazing local volunteers, with the help of The Engine, The Gauntlet and Virgins and Castles pubs and King’s Table café who help with the Molly’s Meals service for the most vulnerable residents.

"The charity’s main priority in the next few days is to contact as many of Kenilworth’s vulnerable residents as possible to make sure they know of the group’s services if they are not already aware of them."

Both groups would also like to hear from anyone who would like to join their armies of volunteers.

If any residents would like help or know of anyone that needs help they should get in touch with the groups.

To contact the Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid group call 01926 674065, go to: www.warwickleamingtoncovidhelp.co.uk or go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/warwickleamingtoncovidhelpTo contact the Covid-19 Support Kenilworth group call 01926 919340, go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/covid19kenilworth or go to: www.covid-19supportkenilworth.co.uk