Salisbury volunteers supporting vulnerable people through Lockdown 2
A group that helped residents in the first wave is back out again.
Compassionate Communities was set up by Salisbury City Council and Wessex Community Action earlier this year, to help people with errands like prescriptions, essential shopping, and posting items.
Once the second national lockdown was announced, they set to work getting it back up and running.
Wessex Community Action Chief Exec, Amber Skyring, says their volunteers have stepped up to the plate again:
"We are very fortunate that many of the people who came forward earlier in the year agreed to stay registered with us for such an eventuality and because of their goodwill and energy will be able to support our vulnerable residents at this challenging time."
JANE'S STORY
Jane Podkolinski from Salisbury has been helping out since March, and is back out supporting people during this lockdown.
The retired midwife has told Greatest Hits Radio that she just wanted to do something to help others:
"It was a privilege to be helping residents who can't get out and do things for themselves because they're vulnerable for whatever reason. Because I'm not considered to be vulnerable, then I could do something, be proactive about it.
"It relieves some of their stress about how they're going to get their shopping, whether they want a parcel posted, or just to have somebody phoning you on a regular basis, to say hello and talk about anything else but the lockdown. I felt as though I can do it, so I have done it.
"It gives me some structure in my life. I was working for the health service for nearly 40 years, so being alongside people is part of what I did. This is, in a way, similar - helping people during a difficult time."
People needing help from Compassionate Communities, who might not have anyone else around to support them, can contact the service by calling 01722 326822, 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday.