THE Covid-19 support group in Okehampton has vowed to continue to support people in the community over the summer as the lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.

The group’s volunteers have vowed to continue to be there for those in the community who are still shielding with the phone line to be run from Monday to Friday rather than seven days a week. They are on standby, too, if there should be a second wave of the virus.

A small core group of volunteers have been manning the phone lines, with dozens of others helping to collect prescriptions, run errands and deliver home-cooked meals to key workers and the isolated.

They have also been delivering art packs to families who have been home schooling and offering support to individuals whose usual support services have been unavailable due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Greta Button, from the group, said: ‘In the past week or two some of our volunteers have returned to work and the phone lines have not been quite as busy as they were but we are mindful that many in our community are still shielding or remain cautious in the face of a virus that is still very much with us.

‘In light of that we have decided our phone lines will continue to stay open all day, but just five days a week (Monday to Friday) instead of the usual seven.

‘We will continue to order and pick up prescriptions (with support of the Lions), run errands, assist with setting up shopping deliveries and offer whatever support we can to those that need it.’

She added that they were hatching further plans to keep children entertained over the summer and to support local businesses, who will be taking their own first steps towards normality over the coming weeks.

‘We will essentially be here to support the people of Okehampton and surrounding villages for as long as there is a need and should there be a second wave of the virus we are here ready and waiting to do again what we have done before,’ she said.

‘So much of what we have achieved locally is due to the amazing support of some of our local organisations namely the Okehampton United Charities, the Lions, Okehampton Rotary, Okehampton Parish Council, The Allotment Club and most importantly our huge-hearted volunteers.

‘We really have seen that in a crisis community is everything.’

She urged anyone who needed support or would like to volunteer to call the support group on 07707 565612.

Anyone who would like to donate to Okehampton Covid-19 Support Group you can do so through Paypal by visiting tinyurl.com/ug5taoc