VOLUNTEERS in the forefront of helping the vulnerable and elderly during lockdown are planning to continue their good work when life returns back to normal.

The Haslington Support Group has grown from a handful of volunteers during the first lockdown into an army of 400 plus members who have selflessly put others before themselves during the darkest days.

They have offered a vital lifeline to those most at risk and confined to their own homes through shielding, self-isolation or just sheer fear of venturing out.

Collecting prescriptions from the pharmacies, undertaking shopping and other errands as well as delivering parcels from local foodbanks have became regular tasks. As have ferrying people to essential medical appointments and now to the vaccination centres.

Haslington Support Group has helped foster a community spirit across the village and now the group's members want to carry on their work helping those most in need.

Jamie Messent got involved in the early days of the group and he said: "There are 400 signed up and a regular core of around 40, who do shopping, fetch prescriptions and so forth. We've also been helping address the mental health side of things by talking to people - we ring people up regularly for a chat and try and sort out any problems they might have.

"We helped a guy who has learning difficulties and was struggling using his mobile phone. Things we all take for granted of course that can be a problem, but the more tech-savvy volunteers we have were able to step in and help him out.

"The numbers of our volunteers have increased and although the reason it was set up was specifically because of the pandemic we all want to carry on after Covid.

"We're busy now helping people get to surgeries for their vaccinations. Before Christmas we did a lot of work with the flu jabs, including marshalling the surgery."

When his work as a Co-op Member Pioneer dropped off at the peak of the pandemic, Jamie wanted to stay involved in community work. He says he is enthusiastic to see the group made into a permanent organisation working for the good of Haslington.

He recalled: "Lockdown shut down what I normally do, so I joined Haslington Support Group so that I could get out and be visible.

"At first it was just a handful of people clubbing together to help those who were shielding. But it has come on in leaps and bounds and we have applied to be one of the Co-op's Local Causes for the next 12 months."

Haslington Support Group has a hotline number for anyone who needs help at 01270-419119 or you can email [email protected]