NEW COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROJECT STILL NEEDS MORE TOWNSFOLK TO JOIN IN, SAY TEAM ORGANISERS

LEADERS of a town-wide mission to look after Atherstone's vulnerable population during the coronavirus crisis have praised the "fantastic" instant response to a launch appeal to join a volunteer army.

In less than 24 hours, dozens have stepped forward to offer their support to the newly-created community support team – set up by the town council and Atherstone Partnership

The first task of the team is to a communications sweep of the whole town through door-to-door leafleting to ensure no one among the town's needy who has been isolated by the knock-on effects of Covid-19 is missed.

Some 4,500 homes need to be covered and the volunteers registering yesterday following an appeal in Nub News means already 1,000 households can receive a leaflet drop through their letterbox.

Partnership head Gary Chamberlain said: "Thursday's response to the Atherstone Community Support Team request for volunteers was fantastic.

"It really is a credit to our town to see so many people stepping forward to help in any way they can – truly remarkable."

The community support team will be masterminding a service to the those most in need – in the form of shopping, collecting prescriptions, posting letters, arranging dog walking or just offering the basic comfort of a voice at the end of a telephone.

"With enough volunteers to cover 1,000 homes with a drop , we still need volunteers for 3,500 more households," added Mr Chamberlain.

The team's joint organisers renewed its appeal today through Nub News.

In a statement, they said: "If you think you can help, in any way, please do get in touch.

"Atherstone Town Council clerks Odette Ghent and Sally Oldham are working hard to ensure this project helps as many people as possible, and are happy to discuss how you can help."

To join the schem,e volunteers should contact the town council on 07928 974576 or 07541 946062 or email [email protected] or call with their own name address and contact number. Checks maybe requested for safeguarding purposes.

Volunteers will then be issued with a pack to enable them to help support those in need of assistance.

Civic-led food parcels through the borough and county authorities are now being delivered on a weekly basis in addition to the 100 meals going out from an operation being orchestrated by Atherstone Coffee Shop owner Angie Spencer from St Nicholas Church hall, Baddesley Ensor.

The second delivery of those meals will be going out this lunchtime. The service is on Mondays and Fridays.