Here are the Covid-19 support groups in Rugby we know about (so far)

Several volunteer groups have formed in the borough with the aim of offering practical help to Rugbeians who are having to stay indoors as a measure against Covid-19.

With many of the groups, this assistance will include picking up shopping and helping with prescriptions.

The Advertiser has started to compile a list of these groups – and this week we are bringing you the groups who have so far contacted us.

We will continue to update you as more groups are formed and as more information comes through.

For anyone in the Coton Park area, the Coton Park Residents’ Association have set up an email address for anyone who needs help - [email protected] or you can message them via their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/Coton-Park-Residents-Association-140400502690772Residents of Edison Place (near Rugby College) have volunteers ready to help neighbours with shopping and prescriptions.

Contact John the Edison Place chair on [email protected]

For those living in the Abbots Farm estate, residents forming the Abbots Farm Community Group can help with collecting shopping, medicines or urgent supplies, posting letters, dog walking or even a friendly phone call.

Call Faye on 07739 963634, Jonathan on 07811 332219, Julie (after 3.30pm) on 07830 494109 or Margaret of St John the Baptist Church on 07792 895294/01788 576279.

You can also email [email protected]

If you are able to volunteer any time to help support, email [email protected]

Erica Twining, a community nurse at St Cross, and one of her colleagues have set up a Facebook group – www.facebook.com/Rugby-community-Corona-support-103540247947213Erica’s colleague Amy Fraser said: “It is becoming very apparent that there are now many elderly people who have been left with nothing due to the ridiculous panic buying.

“We are now clubbing together to help provide some essentials for these people.

“Please can people consider who lives near you and are they ok?

“These people are the most vulnerable to the virus and yet we leave them with nothing and there will be people out there with enough produce to last a year.

“If you see a community nurse and you have a little to donate please stop us and give or just make sure you check on your neighbours.”

See the Facebook group’s page for more information on how and where to donate or help.

Bilton Post Office on Main Street said they will try to help as much as possible, adding that the elderly and the housebound are welcome to call them on 01788 814599 .

A spokesperson said: “We deliver newspapers to most areas, so we can post any other shop items at the same time.”

If you have formed a group or if you are a business arranging home deliveries or help, please email [email protected] so we can add you to the list.

A spokesperson for the county council said: "Warwickshire County Council is aware that a large number of community-led support groups, many of them informal groups, are emerging in response to COVID-19.

"These groups are providing invaluable local support and we're keen to know about, engage and communicate with them."

Please visit bit.ly/3dc9mnh to inform Warwickshire County Council of your group.