Volunteers with the Around the Combe Community Group are determined to ensure that no one on their patch goes without aid during the lockdown.
The 60-strong Millom-based group, supported by the Copeland Community Fund, has already put on an impressive array of services to help the most vulnerable in its community of 11,000 people in an area with a 20-mile radius. This includes:
- Providing 3,500 flyers with advice and emergency contact numbers
- Making more than 850 check-in phone calls to residents.
- Delivering 105 prescriptions
- Picking and delivering 64 grocery shops.
- Preparing and delivering approximately 230 meals
- Answering dozens of additional inquiries from people wanting advice, support or a friendly voice to talk to.
One of its groups, Hope and Cope, has made more than 500 brightly-coloured cloth face masks for carers and others in the community who would like them.
Two of its members, supported with voluntary financial donations, are also using a 3D printer to make PPE visors for the NHS, care home staff and other key workers.
Joint co-ordinator Jenny Brumby said: “We have a fantastic team of people across our 13 communities who try to help in any way they can. We have a lot of experience among them and our volunteers have been selfless in putting themselves forward to help others. We want to offer more services as the lockdown continues.’’
Gillian Elliott, Cumbria County Council’s area manager for Copeland, said: “The group is doing so much for the people in its area. We support them but they are brilliant at working out who needs what and then delivering it.”
