VOLUNTEERS in the Wellington area have been busy helping vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown by delivering shopping and medicines.

The Wellington Coronavirus Community Group, administered by Meg Moriarty and Jade Martin, has been at the forefront of the response.

The group was set up on social media and now has a team of registered volunteers who have provided evidence of their disclosure and barring service certificates.

Cllr Andrew Govier, who represents the town on the county and district councils, said: “I have been really impressed by the work done by individuals and the groups formed to support the local community.

“They have managed in a very short time to provide a very professional operation that is taking on more responsibilities every day.

“As a local councillor, I am very grateful to these individuals, and the many other local residents, who have been doing what they can for their fellow residents.’

Cllr Govier added that he was particularly impressed with a new prescription collection service, with Stephen and Claire Ward co-ordinating a team of more than 20 volunteer drivers.

Cllr Govier said: “In the first couple of weeks there were huge queues at the local pharmacies and there was concern that vulnerable people were having to stand for ages to collect their prescriptions.

“The group saw this problem and has delivered a community solution. Stephen and Clare have organised a rota of volunteers who collect on a daily basis from each pharmacy in the town and deliver to the resident’s home address.

“I am really grateful to the pharmacies who were very co-operative when I contacted them to see if they would join the scheme.”

The volunteer group is working with the town council and others to tackle other challenges residents face and is looking at how to get people’s shopping more easily and how to support the local foodbank.

How the prescription scheme works

Daily delivery service for all four Wellington chemists – Boots in High Street, Boots at Wellington Medical Centre, Lloyds Pharmacy at Luson Surgery and Superdrug.

Anyone who would like their prescription delivered should ask the pharmacy to put it in the volunteer driver delivery box.

Those who pay for their prescription should do so over the phone and ask for it to be put it in the volunteer driver box. The prescription will be delivered free of charge to the door. Anyone with an urgent request should phone Stephen or Claire Ward – phone numbers below.

Key contacts: Community group helpline – 07871 258048; community group email – [email protected]; prescriptions helpline – Stephen Ward on 07950 458442) or Claire Ward on 07503 215608; town council helpline – 07983 697740 or 07496 528389.