A SCHEME has been launched in Salisbury for people wanting to support members of the community as well as those in need of help.

Salisbury Community Support scheme has launched by Salisbury City Council and Wessex Community Action (WCA).

The leader of Salisbury City Council, Councillor Jeremy Nettle, said: “I strongly encourage all those that need help locally, now or maybe in the next few weeks, to sign up to this register. That way we can work out how best to look after you in the community. If you wish to volunteer to help sign up now and get involved and if you are a community group, new or established please get in contact with WCA so we can all work together.”

WCA and the city council say they want to ensure there is good coordination and matching between people wanting to volunteer and those in need of support.

The type of help people will need could range from fetching their shopping while they are housebound and isolated, to walking their dogs, to providing a friendly ear and befriending over the phone.

They say the aim is to set up an "easily accessible" online register for the community who sign up to help or to request help. They will also be checking to see if volunteers are DBS checked and/or seeking references as well as issuing guidelines for registered volunteers to follow.

Amber Skyring, the chief executive officer of WCA said: “Volunteers have never been more important nor more valuable to the local community, please do sign up to get involved, and if you think you need help now, know somebody who needs help get in contact as soon as you can. Please spread the word and together we can care for our local community”

To register to be part of the Salisbury Community Support scheme click here.

If you are a community group and are seeking support and guidance on how to safely support volunteers and residents, please do get in contact with WCA 01722 326822 or email info@wessexcommunityaction.org.uk

If you do not have access to the internet but still wish to be involved please ring the Wessex Community Action Team who will be available to take your call Mon-Fri 10.00 -12.00am and 1.00pm -2.00pm (01722 326822), you can also ring the City Council Team Mon – Fri 10.00am-4.00pm (01722 342860).

The NHS has also launched a volunteer responders page. NHS Volunteer Responders are supporting the NHS during the covid-19 outbreak. To sign up go to goodsamapp.org/NHS