Coronavirus: Plea to help vulnerable people in Gosport as volunteers are needed for Covid-19 response organisation

Gosport Community Response has been launched by the borough council and Gosport Voluntary Action.

The new group, already running, needs volunteers who can help. It is designed for isolated people who have no other support.

GVA and the council are setting up a directory of voluntary groups in the area who can help. This will be published online at gva.org.uk/coronavirus

Councillor Mark Hook, leader of the council, said: 'This service is a way of getting the right help to the people who really need it.

'Our borough is an amazing place for volunteering, and in this crisis I'm sure we will see even more evidence of that.

'We need a lot of volunteers to come forward, not least because they may need to replace volunteers who are ill or who can't get out into the community.'

Ian Reeves, chair of GVA, said: 'This is a challenging time for everyone.

'We want to help local organisations and people to support one another, and to provide essential services to the most vulnerable people who need them, such as food shopping.

'We also need to bring local organisations together so we have a coordinated effort to organise volunteers and support those who need help. I'm sure we will get a great response.'

Ask for help or volunteer by calling (023) 9254 5588 between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, or visit the website.