North Yorkshire County Council urges residents to keep looking out for neighbours during lockdown

Across North Yorkshire there are countless examples of communities coming together and people helping those isolated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As lockdown continues, it becomes increasingly important to keep looking out for any potentially vulnerable people in our neighbourhoods.

Gary Fielding, the County Council’s Director of Strategic Resources said: “Firstly I would like to thank every single North Yorkshire resident who has checked on a neighbour and the volunteers helping people during this crisis. The kindness we’ve seen has been truly humbling.

“If you helped someone in the first couple of weeks with shopping or collecting a prescription and you haven’t been in contact since, I would urge you to please keep checking they are ok.

"Anyone over 70 or with underlying health conditions should not be leaving their homes. Just putting a note through their door could be a lifeline, even if it’s just to offer them a friendly chat over the phone.”

In a coordinated joint effort with district councils, North Yorkshire County Council is working with 23 community organisations the length and breadth of the county to match people without family, friends or neighbours to support from the voluntary sector.

Moira Wellbourne is 82 and lives alone. She is being supported by Community Works in Thirsk.

Moira said: “It’s not wise for me to be out and about but I’m one of those people who thought I’ll manage. I’m so independent. Then of course I discovered that once you’ve eaten whatever was in the fridge you can’t manage.

"My daughter lives in York and gave me the number to ring as she’s also being shielded because of an immune system condition so can’t get out either.

“My friends are all as old if not older than me, so they’re stuck in as well. I’ve recommended it to other friends who live near me, but a lot of them have relatives in the area. One has her niece comes and leaves shopping for her.

“I’ve had two shops done so far and they’ve picked up my prescription. I live in a flat on the first floor, so they bring it up the stairs and leave it outside the door then step back. I open the door and take it in. I think it’s absolutely brilliant. We have a little chat and a joke on the phone. It’s working brilliantly.

“Aside from the shopping a few times I’ve had something to post but can’t get out to the post box.

"So I write a note asking if anyone who is going out can take it, paper clip it to the letter and stick it to my front door. So far it’s always been done for me.

"There are two young girls who’ve helped. The chap living in the flat upstairs has phoned me a few times too. There are so many people just helping one another.”

People in need of help who don’t have the support of family, friends or neighbours or anyone concerned about the welfare of someone else should call North Yorkshire County Council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780.

The centre is open seven days a week 8am-5:30pm.

For more information go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/coronavirus