How the Harborough community is rallying to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus emergency

Dynamic new missions are being set up across Harborough to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus emergency.

Big-hearted members of the public are putting their best foot forward to help those who either test positive or are in self-isolation.

Public-spirited Amy Hayward has launched her own group in Market Harborough – and is attracting new members all the time.

The Harborough student says on her Facebook page: “This is a group designed to put those in need of help during the time of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) - for example those who are elderly or more vulnerable to the illness, or who are in quarantine, or nurses, doctors or other health care workers - with those who are in a position to provide that help.

“If you need help or you know someone who needs help, or if you are in a position to offer help, then please join this group, posting on this page where you are located and what support you need or are able to provide.”

Click here to see out previous story about what the churches are doing to help.

Amy adds: “You should then continue to watch out for replies to your post and respond to them directly.

“Some types of help people may need and that you may be able to provide during this period are:

* Doing food shops or pharmacy shops for older or more vulnerable people or people in quarantine

* Offering childcare for nurses, doctors or other health care workers who have children

* Walking the dogs of such people

* Collecting prescriptions or parcels for them

* Friendly/ supportive phone calls with them.

Amy added: “It is essential that, if you are going to help such people, you follow all the necessary precautionary measures which your government and health authorities advise at the time.

“That includes, as appropriate, washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, leaving food or parcels outside the doors of elderly or other vulnerable people or people in quarantine in order to minimise the risk of infection in either direction, and monitoring yourself carefully for any symptoms.

“You should categorically not offer or provide any such support if you have any symptoms of the coronavirus or have been in contact with anyone who does.

“This group has been created solely as a means to enable people in need to make contact with those in a position to help and vice versa.

“It is the direct personal responsibility of anyone who chooses to engage in this to consider their own circumstances and state of health and the risks in doing so.

“You should be sure to follow the advice of the World Health Organisation and your own government and health authority guidelines (example sites in the UK are https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19) and operate in accordance with the laws applicable to you at all times.”

Amy is urging everyone to do what they can to help their loved ones, friends, neighbours and the community at large.

“This is an opportunity to make something positive out of a challenging situation.

“This group has the potential to be a source of genuine practical help and to remind us all what the word “community” can really mean,” she said.

If you would like to help Amy support people who need you throughout Harborough then visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1016616858711729A coronavirus support group has also been set up in Kibworth here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronavirussupportkibworth