Leighton-Linslade Helpers want the vulnerable to get in touch as town prepares for new Covid-19 lockdown

Many families felt saddened, yet perhaps not surprised, when the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at the weekend that England would be heading into a national lockdown from Thursday.

In response to the previous lockdown, the Leighton-Linslade Helpers Covid-19 Task Force was established to help those who were vulnerable and isolating, offering services such as prescription collection, food shopping, food parcels, and welfare calls.

Now the community will have to face another lockdown, lead-co-ordinator June Tobin is encouraging people to get in touch. She said: “Our team remain motivated and ready but we feel desperately sorry; we talk to people when we deliver and talk to people on the phone - some residents are feeling terribly isolated and lonely.

“I think that young people are finding it the hardest, as some of them have been working from home since March. They are finding it particularly hard. The elderly are very stoic. They have been through an awful lot in their lifetime and they just get on with things; they are probably the last people to ask for help usually.

“In the last two weeks we have also seen an increase in new clients coming forward as a result of job losses or loss of overtime. Please call or email us if you need help.”

The Leighton-Linslade Helpers Covid-19 Task Force has been preparing for a second wave, and has organised its volunteers into isolating teams [bubbles] A, B, C, and D, so if one person becomes sick, their group can isolate but the operation can continue.

Residents can support the team by donating to its GoFundMe page or by supporting its Amazon wish list, while families can also support a ‘Grab Bag’ scheme at Morrisons.

In the trolley at the supermarket entrance there are bags filled with items costing two or three pounds. You can scan and pay for the bags at the end of the shop, and the items will go to their food parcel collection.

Meanwhile, local businesses are in need of residents' loyal support more than ever this year.

Adrienne Lowther of Adrienne's Flowers, Ropa Court, said: "Obviously, we are going to have to close. We are closing the shop but we are still able to offer our online services and telephone services with deliveries, and at specified times, collections (provided orders are prepaid).

"It's a shame for our neighbours - the gift shops, hairdressers, beauticians, estate agents - because a lot of businesses affected are small independents.

"Please support local businesses in the next few weeks; a lot of them have online shops, and please support the cafes and restaurants offering a takeaway service - they need every penny.

"And, of course, I'd encourage people to come back to the high street in December and shop local."

Adrienne's business is one example of companies who have shown innovation during lockdown.

Because the team is unable to hold their wreath making sessions this year, Adrienne's Flowers is offering an online tutorial session, with customers able to order or collect the items needed to make a Christmas wreath or garland.

They will still be offering items such as chocolates, bears and balloons with orders, and their full funeral service is available.

Meanwhile, in the pub industry, Black Lionlandlady Nikki Brodin reflected the mood of her staff.

She told the Observer: "I'm quite positive. We've not got deliveries this time; we're going to give it four weeks and then go from there. For now, we'll close our doors and respect what they [the government] have said. I need to protect my family and my staff."

The pub's last day of opening will be Wednesday, and Nikki thanked her staff and her customers for all their support during the summer and autumn.

She added: "Support us, come out and drink us dry! We have got enough stock to get us through the next couple of days and we need people in, drinking our ale.

"We all knew it was coming, and instead of having six hours to prepare, we've had six days.

"I've been ordering a lot less than I normally would be because I don't want to be in the same situation as March."

Post-lockdown, Nikki is planning to organise a German beer market event, complete, of course, with German beers and spiced drinks.

She concluded: "Even if we can't hold it in December [due to a lockdown extension], I'll do it in January. I don't think people will care; these days they just want something. We'll keep riding the storm!"

Cllr James Jamieson, leader of Central Bedfordshire Council said: "With the latest COVID-19 lockdown measures being imposed by the Government due to start on Thursday, it is more important than ever that we continue to support our communities, particularly the vulnerable and elderly.

"Whilst most people will be able to ask family and friends to support them or use the supermarket and pharmacy home delivery and priority delivery slots for vulnerable people, there will be some who, for whatever reason can’t access this help.

"Going forwards, as more details emerge from the government, we will put in place further plans where we will work alongside volunteer groups to assist with food supplies, collecting prescriptions and perhaps most important of all, checking that those residents living alone are okay and being looked after. "

To reach out for support from the Leighton-Linslade Helpers Covid-19 Task Force, email: [email protected]. Alternatively, call: 0300 300 8186 or 07517 851 382 or see https://www.facebook.com/leightonlinsladehelpersThe Leighton-Linslade Helpers are also busy making a fun lockdown video (a parody of an Eddie Grant song) to cheer up the community...watch this space!