Love Devizes, formerly Devizes Covid19 Support, have swung back into action following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a nationwide lockdown.

Volunteers have mobilised once more to help people shop for essentials, collect prescriptions, run essential errands and enjoy lifts to medical appointments.

People are also on hand to listen if people need a friendly voice on the other end of a phone, in what can be a very lonely time for some.

The group is inspired by the community spirit of Devizes and the desire to keep compassion as a key detail in the town’s fabric.

Jonathan Hunter, the Love Devizes centre coordinator, said: ‘One of Devizes greatest assets is its community spirit and compassion. The Love Devizes volunteers are quite simply an expression of that desire to help support those who are vulnerable, isolated or just need a helping hand during this pandemic.

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“The volunteer team brilliantly help in many practical ways to support others and there are further plans to develop Love Devizes; however the focus right now is to help the town and its residents stay safe and healthy.”

Anyone in Devizes who is having to self-isolate because they are in at at-risk group or have covid-19 symptoms or are unsupported and in need of help have been urged to get in touch.

Key workers can also benefit from the Love Devizes group’s essential services.

Call 01380 722160 on Monday to Friday from 9am to midday for support.

Kirsty Wilmott coordinates the team of support-callers at Love Devizes and explained that, this lockdown round, things are a bit different.

She said: “The first time around it was a bit of a novelty, but the novelty has totally worn off and we know that more people are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.

“This happening in the cold and dark winter doesn’t help either. We know this because, if we are honest, we are struggling ourselves. But chatting with others can help, so, if you need a friendly chat to get through the day, we are also here to listen…as well as to do the shop runs and prescription pickups.”

If you would like to volunteer to help during this current lockdown then register at lovedevizes.org.

Love Devizes is a joint initiative between the Churches Together in Devizes, Devizes Town Council and Wiltshire Council. Click here to find out more