Sid Valley Help began responding to requests for support on March 16, a week before lockdown.

Up until the end of June, they had received over 540 requests for support. These requests included shopping, collecting medication, dog walking, transport to hospital, gardening, general random queries and telephone befriending and were responded to from a total pool of 122 volunteers.

Many of the 540 requests were regular; weekly shopping or daily dog walking and so do not truly identify the scale of help provided.

Di Fuller, Chair of Sid Valley Help said: "We are proud of what we have collectively done for the most vulnerable people in the Sid Valley over the last 16 weeks.

"We are entering a new normal and many volunteers have returned or will be returning to work. For those who will no longer be volunteering with Sid Valley Help, we wish to thank them for helping us to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and to support our community."

For anyone who still needs support, please contact Sid Valley Help (SVH) 01395 892011.

Di Fuller continued: "Many volunteers have assured SVH that they will continue to volunteer, we are grateful to them for helping us to go forward over the summer and beyond.

"There are still many people who are 'shielding' and although guidance for them is also easing at this time, many are still nervous about getting out and becoming independent and others are too unwell to do so.

"We are confident that we have enough volunteers to meet demand at the present time, but are very happy to welcome new people. While our number of volunteers has decreased, so have the number of new requests.

"We also know that some clients who requested support earlier are now feeling more confident to collect their own medication and/or supplement shopping.

"I am assured that the shops who have been providing a delivery service will continue to do so for now. All of the local shops are listed on our website linked here.

"Another benefit of lockdown easing is that people may be seeing more of their families when previously they were not if they lived away.

"Hopefully this means that fewer people are feeling the pressure of being at home and isolated. However, as more time passes and regular clubs and groups are missed and where social media is not used, some may be feeling lonely and missing social contact.

"If you sense this to be the case for someone you regularly see, please ask them if they would like a telephone friend to call regularly.

"Let us know, or encourage them to call our number 01395 892011.

"For many younger people there is the worry of disrupted lives, job losses and money worries. Sid Valley Help has links to support for those struggling with their mental health and wellbeing."

Finally, Di added: "We have received many donations to support our work during the pandemic. Some have been anonymous and so we have not been able to say 'thank you'.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us with donations."

If anyone would like to support Sid Valley Help, please go to the website linked here for information on how to donate.