Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 group volunteers help hundreds of people with ‘phone pals’ service

A Covid-19 help group that covers the Warwick and Leamington area has helped more than 500 people with their 'phone pals' service.

The Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid group are providing a telephone service to people suffering from social isolation as well organising practical help.

Anyone in the local community without access to the internet can ring 01926 674065 at any time, leave a message, and a 'phone pals' volunteer will ring them back.

More than 500 calls have now matched help requests with volunteers or been a friendly voice on the end of the phone.

Sarah Jones, coordinator for the mutual aid phone team said: “Many people contacting the group by phone are elderly and need practical support to help with shopping or collecting prescriptions.

"It is easier for them to do this on the phone, as they may not be comfortable online.

“Our 'phone pals' volunteers also recognise that social isolation has completely disrupted most of our everyday interactions, and we are aware that many people are spending much of their waking time on their own.

“We can offer a one-off call or regular contact. Whilst we are not trained counsellors, we can offer social contact over the phone to anyone in the local community who needs a friendly voice to talk to.

"And it’s not just the callers that are benefitting. Volunteers are also finding that reaching out to others and making a contribution to the community has its own ‘feel good’ factor.”

More than 7,000 members have now joined the Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook group and more than 1,000 people have volunteered their time.

In less than a month, volunteers have carried out 142 requests for shopping or essential supplies, picked up and delivered 77 prescriptions and made or received over 500 calls.

If anyone needs support or wants to volunteer, they can go to https://warwickleamingtoncovidhelp.wordpress.com/ or email [email protected]

If anyone needs help and can’t get online, they can call 01926 674065 and leave a message and they will get a call back.