Leighton-Linslade Covid-19 Task Force making difference to community

The team would like to say a huge thank you to Morrisons, Lake Street, which is donating £1,000 worth of food every week to boost stocks, with task force deliveries made to those who need help and cannot get supplies.

The group can provide a weekly food parcel (in quantities for one, two, three, four or five persons depending on need) and have access to a food bank which is well stocked and also has fresh produce.

The group was founded by Leighton Buzzard mum, Holly Woollard, while June Tobin is lead co-ordinator.

An anonymous service user, said: "My girlfriend and I were struggling as we were both advised to self-isolate. I am an asthma sufferer, so I have to be quite careful with advice given to me.

"We were not prepared to self-isolate. We had bits and bobs of food but nothing to make proper meals. I sent Holly's group a message, and I'm sure it cannot always be this quick, but within three hours, I had a knock at the door and when I opened it, there were these two bags of shopping for me, which included chicken, minced beef, pasta sauces, bread, and milk - absolutely spot on brilliant.

"What Holly and June are doing is amazing; they are really making a difference in our community in these trying times!”

The homeless service is supported by both Morrisons, and M&S are giving out between eight and 12 food parcels per day from their food bank.

A Leighton-Linslade Covid 19 Task Force spokesman, said: "The Task Force would like to stress that there is not a food shortage and if you can do so please use the online services.

"There are supplies that can be accessed to tide you over until a delivery slot is available but only call upon it if you really need it.

"The main focus is on people who have no alternative means. The volunteers are not accepting requests to shop for people and do not accept money."

Thanks to local Scout leaders, the task force is also assisting the town’s pharmacies by collecting and delivering prescriptions. Their usual home delivery services were overwhelmed, so the Task Force stepped in to deliver prescriptions and all the local pharmacies have signed up.

All of the volunteers are DBS police checked and have emergency volunteer t-shirts and an ID badge.

Packages are dropped at the front door and the volunteers then step back to allow the goods to be safely taken in. Recipients are advised to wipe down all the packages with a damp cloth and disinfectant and throw away the paper bags.

The Task Force also have a support group for those who would just like to chat to someone.

If you would like to donate, the Task Force would welcome the following items: Tinned foods/in a jar - carrots, peas, mushy peas, green beans, baked beans, spaghetti hoops, short cut spaghetti, mixed beans, butter beans, kidney beans, lentils, chopped or whole tomatoes, chicken, steak, minced beef, spam, corned beef, soups, stews, broths, tuna, sardines, salmon, UHT milk, soy milk, coconut milk, peanut butter, chocolate spread, jams, marmalade, salt, sugar, ketchup, mayo;

Fresh foods: oranges, satsumas, apples, pears, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbages;

Packaged goods: crackers, bread sticks, rice cakes, nuts and dried fruit packs, cereal, porridge, granola, breakfast bars, snack bars, protein bars, powdered milk, flour, pitta bread, naan bread, part baked bread, rice, pasta, risotto;

Personal/sanitary items: multivitamins, antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, antibacterial spray, toilet roll, kitchen roll, J-cloths, deodorant, shower gel, shampoos, sanitary towels, tampons, moisturiser;

Other: donations of board games, packs of cards, puzzles, books. These will be prioritised for elderly residents.

Please note local supermarkets and pharmacies are operating but please only go for essentials and strictly one person, one trolley. Remember to observe the 2 metre distance rules both inside and outside the stores.

For information on work, benefits, rent, etc. the Citizens Advice Bureau is contactable Mon—Thu 10am -1pm: 2pm – 4pm: Fri 10am -1pm at www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk or telephone 01525 373878/01525 374589

The Samaritans has useful information on looking after your mental health during isolation at

https://www.samaritans.org/ or by calling 116 123 (free)

You can stay in touch with the task force on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/llhelpers/For routine information on Council Services:

• Central Bedfordshire Council: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ or call 0300 300 8000

• Leighton Linslade Town Council: https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/ or call 01525 631920

There is also a new website www.leightonlinsladehelpers.org.uk which will be fully operational from tomorrow. It gives details of local businesses and services who are making home deliveries. All requests for assistance need to be logged through the CBC website, to ensure no vulnerable people get missed or miss out on the Government help. Those who need help should go to this link and register or call the number provided.

For local assistance including food deliveries, local food shopping, prescription collections etc. go to: www.leightonlinsladehelpers.org.ukAn information sheet will be published by the Town Council and the Task Force and will go out to the local supermarkets and households soon.

If you are isolating because either you are in the At Risk category, or have symptoms and need URGENT assistance:

• ring 0300 300 8900 (please be patient as lines will be busy) or

• visit the Central Bedfordshire hub at https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/covid-19If you think you have symptoms please DO NOT VISIT YOUR GP SURGERY, PHARMACY or HOSPITAL. Isolate for seven days. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home, nor do you need to test for Corona Virus.

If your symptoms persist beyond seven days, or you are having trouble breathing, contact the NHS, preferably online at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by calling 111

If you have been told by NHS 111 to self isolate you do not need to request a sick note from your GP for self-isolation. Please complete this form: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note.