THE kind-hearted community of Tavistock is putting together a plan of action to help the most vulnerable people during the weeks and months ahead.

Everyday life in the town and surrounding areas has changed dramatically as we try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Those over 70 years of age, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions have been advised to self-isolate while others have been advised to stop non-essential social contact and non-essential travel.

But what hasn’t changed is the community spirit that keeps Tavistock and its surrounding area strong.

In order to help those in need during this unprecedented time some members in the local community have offered to collect shopping items or medicine to help and spread some happiness, while businesses are offering to deliver their services to people’s door. A local online group has been set up to co-ordinate this at www.tavistocklocalshelp.co.uk

Here at the Times we want people who are in need or advice or just a chat to call us on 01822 834442 and we will try to help them or point them in the right direction for services or volunteers.

Next week we will be running a special feature called ‘Brought to Your Door’ with many local businesses featured who can bring goods to you.

In this difficult time we urge people to support local business to keep our economy and high street alive as best we can. We want you to keep buying our papers, although they will be smaller due to lots of events being cancelled, but we will do our best to keep reporting the news as we have done since 1857 and to deliver papers to your door.

Yes, most of us will be working from home but our reception desk will be open and regularly sanitised.

We are available on the same phonelines and on email — please get in touch and tell us your stories — and your experiences. Use us to get your message out and your story told. We want to report good news as well as bad and send in your readers’ pictures — we love those.

Keep safe, keep in touch and we can — and will be — stronger together.

IF YOU NEED HELP CALL US ON 01822 613666

TAVISTOCK LOCAL HELP GROUP www.tavistocklocalshelp.co.uk