New warehouse boost as Leighton Linslade Covid-19 Task Force supports residents most in need

Leighton Linslade Covid-19 Task Force has moved into a new warehouse location allowing them to continue to support the community.

In the four short weeks since the group was formed by local volunteers a huge amount has been achieved. A small business unit is now being used to store food and complete deliveries for the most in need.

The new facility has made integration into the wider support efforts being carried out by Central Beds Council (CBC) and the NHS that much easier. Requests for help, be it for food, medication, financial advice or any other problems caused by the Covid-19 measures should be directed to the central contact point run by CBC www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/covid-19 or ring 0300 300 8900. Those that do not need specialist help are then passed down to the local group.

Leighton-Linslade Town Council and the Task Force have produced an information sheet setting out how you can get help if you need it. Thanks to the generosity of a local businessman it is in the process of being delivered to all households in Leighton Linslade and is also available in the main supermarkets. A second, updated, edition is being planned for delivery in the near future.

The group says it has had unprecedented support from the town council, CBC, BLEVEC, Andrew Selous MP, Morrisons and Waitrose.

A spokesman added: “A special mention is for the Black Horse Homeless Shelter whose wonderful staff and clients have been helping to get emergency food parcels to our community.

“The Task Force would like to thank everyone who has helped support them, without you none of this would have been possible. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution of any sort will be welcome – it would make all the difference.”

The group can help you stay at home by assisting you to meet two of your basic needs, namely food and medication, but also have access to qualified counselling services. There are also volunteers who can keep contact with those isolating who just need a chat.

The spokesman added: “Two weeks ago, when we were told to go on lockdown, no-one knew how much that would affect each individual within our community.

“Our local authorities have a firm and solid plan that will see our community through this crisis and, however long it may last, we will be there to serve our community.”

The new website www.leightonlinsladehelpers.org.uk is fully operational and gives details of local businesses and services who are making home deliveries together with information on food parcels, prescriptions and counselling. There is also the Leighton Linslade Helpers and Leighton Linslade Covid 19 Task Force Facebook site.

Donations are still needed and can be dropped at Morrisons or by contacting the Task Force. Tinned fruit and meat, long-life milk, pasta, long-life bread, nappies, baby foods, and baby milk are still needed. Men and women’s toiletries are also welcome. Dust off the sets of smellies you got for Christmas and haven’t used!