Coronavirus support volunteers set up hotline to help Portsmouth residents

The team behind the Portsmouth Coronavirus Support Group on Facebook, which now has more than 9,000 members, has expanded its services with an 8am to 8pm helpline.

Set up two weeks ago as a kind of trial before advertising it more widely, the phone service has seen success with around 20 city residents helped as a result.

One of the core organisers of the group Charlotte Gerada, from Southsea, said: 'What we have seen from the Facebook posts is how people are willing to support each other, it's overwhelming. It's been really moving and beautiful to see.

'So we wanted to continue that and reach as many people as possible with the hotline.'

The group is mainly there to help with food and medicine deliveries as well as dog walking and 'just to chat' to residents who are isolating but might not be seen as really vulnerable by other services. They can also refer residents to other services if they have more complex needs or help them register as vulnerable.

The 32-year-old said: 'Anyone can come to us. It might be people in their 80s or 90s who are healthy so they're not classed as vulnerable but they're still isolating and need food.

'Or as an example we had a lady call late on Friday night who needed food for her and her son. We were able to get someone there with food for her late at night.

'If anyone wants to get involved please do reach out to us. If anyone needs support at any time, and let others know.'

The group has around 20 people monitoring the hotline who then pass on details to one of 15 organisers who are responsible for a larger group of volunteers dedicated to one area of the city. These volunteers then help the individual.

One of the other co-ordinators Kirsty Mellor, 43, from Landport added: 'I'm so proud to be a part of this city at the moment.

'These are really upsetting circumstances at the moment but out of them there's a ray of hope and I really hope when we get back to normality this kind of support can continue.'

To contact the hotline call 023 9355 2553 or email [email protected].

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