GROUPS of volunteers throughout West Devon and East Cornwall have been busy helping those isolated and vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis — and working together to help as many as possible.

Just over two weeks ago organisations were formed from local councillors, dignitaries and residents who were all concerned about their fellow neighbours. Groups include Tavistock Locals Help, Team Horrabridge, The Village, Whitchurch and Yelverton Neighbourhood Help.

So far, 320 people have been helped by Tavistock Locals Help. Most of the requests involved shopping and delivery runs for essential groceries and medicines, as well as pet care.

The group is assisted by a special software system called ‘Zendesk’ of which there are between eight and nine in the UK. The system allows the team to respond quickly to calls and the details are then passed to the volunteers via a duty director.

All calls and emails requesting help are logged and tracked to ensure that they are met satisfactorily and followed up if necessary.

Ursula Mann, co-ordinator, said the average age of those who contact the group for help is 76 and the busiest days are Mondays and Thursdays with between 24 to 26 requests each day.

‘Usually half of the requests are prescription pick up and we do one run a day to the pharmacies. We have helped 320 who have contacted and been added to the system and 240 with deliveries.’

Ursula added that the team was working closely with other local volunteer groups in order to make sure that everyone in need was cared for.

‘We are sending anyone who is not in our area to their correct area for local volunteers — we are working with every group in the community.’

Working with Tavistock Locals Help is The Village, a community venture formed thanks to Martin and Nancy Summers from Whitchurch Post Office and Village Shop and supported by local residents.

Each day the group sends out between five and ten deliveries covering grocery, bakery, dairy, meat and post office goods.

Tavistock town councillor Graham Parker, who takes phone requests for The Village, told the Times: ‘Local shops are the lifeblood of our communities and it is wonderful how many of our small independents shops have stepped up to the mark in this unprecedented crisis. Tavistock’s grocers, butchers, bakers, greengrocers and post offices are making a huge difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the community and I’m really proud to be involved with The Village in this wonderful local initiative.’

Another service helping the community of Tavistock and surrounding areas is ‘A Listening Ear’, set up by TACT churches (Tavistock Area Christians Together). The phone service is free for anyone in the Tavistock area who wants to talk to someone during this time of crisis. It has been set up in association with Tavistock Locals Help.

David Palmer from TACT said: ‘Sometimes it is just important to have someone to talk to especially for those who may be lonely or isolated. You will receive a friendly listening ear from people who care. The service will run for three months and we look forward to hearing from anyone who needs someone to talk to.’

For more information on Tavistock Locals Help, visit https://tavistocklocalshelp.co.uk or call 0800 046 5531.

For The Village call 07545 075942; Team Horrabridge 07598 958251 and Listening Ear, 0800 774 7238.