North West Leicestershire District Council has been working with 27 community response units and many other groups of people to help ensure the vulnerable and isolated in the district are supported through the coronavirus pandemic.

This has seen hundreds of volunteers across the district supporting not just the vulnerable, but their entire communities through difficult times, whether it be shopping for neighbours or simply bringing a smile to the faces of others.

In addition to this huge network of community support, the Council also pulled together its own community hub to make sure those most in need are supported.

Twenty-five NWLDC staff members were re-deployed from their day jobs into the hub to help provide these services on either a full or part time basis.

To date, the NWLDC community hub has made almost 2,000 calls to residents in the district identified with a vulnerability alongside a further 1,890 to people aged over 70 to check on their wellbeing.

Hub staff have also delivered more than 255 medication packages and food shops/parcels directly to resident's doors. NWLDC's housing team have also made 588 wellbeing calls to their tenants.

This is on top of all the other countless deliveries, shopping trips and acts of kindness enacted across the district by the wider response unit network.

Chris Colvin, whose day job is as an Electoral Support Officer at NWLDC, said; "When the Coronavirus outbreak began, I was redeployed to our community hub to help assist in supporting our community which involved doing food shops and delivering these to those at risk and unable to go out.

"Supporting the community hub has been such a rewarding process with a large number of the individuals thanking me for my support.

"I got into conversation with one particular resident who opened up and told me anecdotes from their childhood and the sense of community that they had. Unfortunately, their children were not in a position to support them due to their own medical issues but the NWLDC hub has been a reminder to them that community spirit is still prevalent throughout these difficult times.

"Another resident expressed their appreciation and thanked me for all I had done to support them and said that when I reach their age, I will be able to look back and think of the difference we have made to so many lives when they needed it most.

"It is comments like these that make me proud of the work I have done and how I have contributed to the wellbeing of many residents".

NWLDC were not the only ones to react to the coronavirus lockdown, with over 70 community groups and response units being pulled together all over the district offering support to local residents and villagers.

Caroline Hart, volunteer at Oakthorpe support group, said: "We set up the support group back in March to support villagers during the pandemic. Our work involved distributing leaflets to all residents providing information on what support is available to them, setting up a foodbank for those financially impacted by COVID-19 and having two phone numbers for villagers to call if they have any needs such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and well-being phone calls. We have also set up a Facebook page and share useful information to residents.

"For the 75th VE Day Celebrations, all volunteers baked cakes for the whole village and there were some wonderfully positive responses from lots of people within the village.

"NWLDC have been a great support for when we've had any questions and the weekly newsletters have been packed with useful information that gives us an insight into what is going on in the wider area."

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of NWLDC, said: "We've been here to support our communities since day one and this will continue for as long as this is needed.

"I can't thank enough the volunteers and community groups that continue to stand with us in this critically important effort to ensure our most vulnerable and isolated are getting the support they need.

"Thank you to everyone that is going the extra mile to support others, your efforts are not going unnoticed."

NWLDC has recently released a campaign to recognise the work of these community hubs by asking the public to nominate their local heroes. Anyone can be put forward online at Local Hero

Residents that need support from the community whether it be shopping, collecting medication or just a friendly chat on the phone, can visit Community Support for more details.