Volunteers in Appleby are upping their efforts again amid the COVID-19 pandemic following the national rise in cases.
Appleby Emergency Response Group announced in recent weeks that although it would continue to support residents it was scaling back volunteer work as restrictions eased.
However Laura Allen — who has taken over from former group co-ordinator Caroline Dodgeon — said there is a need again to support people in the town who are self-isolating, shielding or unable to get out.
“We feel that it is important that the residents of Appleby know that there is still help available should they need it and that we (AERG) have not gone away.
“We are living in very uncertain times and as a community it is important to pull together to take care of our more vulnerable residents.”
The move has come following national rise in cases of COVID-19 and the increase in test and trace
Cards are being delivered to all residents in the parish of Appleby with information on how to contact the group.
Due to many returning to work, AERG has a smaller number of volunteers available than when operating in the initial phase of the COVID lockdown.
However, Mrs Allen said the group will still be able to help with any requests for assistance with shopping, prescription collections, and check and chat to people who are self-isolating.
Instead of having wardens dedicated to certain streets, all requests will be directed to Mrs Allen as the group co-ordinator and then allocated to a volunteer.
Residents are asked to be mindful that volunteers are giving up their own time and putting themselves at risk to help others and therefore ask that there is a genuine need for support.
The group is currently formulating plans to include dealing with a flood situation during a pandemic and will be sending out information to flood risk properties in Appleby over the next fortnight.
More information can be found on the AERG Facebook page or via the website www.applebyerg.co.uk
