RESIDENTS of Whitchurch are coming together to assist one another during the coronavirus outbreak.

Social isolation has meant that members of the town have taken to the Internet to support one another, through a COVID Mutual Aid group.

The groups have been appearing all over the country, with Helping Hands Whitchurch joining the national scheme.

Helping Hands Whitchurch is in its infancy, but aims to link the various groups around town into one ‘united front’ to provide support to residents and tackle the virus together.

The group was jointly-formed by Hilary Seward from the Whitchurch Chamber of Trade and Stephen Chapman, organiser of the the Blackberry Fair.

The group is aimed at both potential volunteers and industry professionals, as explained by Stephen.

“There’s a movement called Mutual Aid and they have a database of groups like ourselves,” he said.

“I found I was doing something with friends like sharing telephone numbers, so I got together with a couple of other friends and looked up mutual friends, and thought that might be a way to get people together,” said Stephen.

“We’re presently looking at interest coming in – volunteers that just want to help and professionals with advice. What where going to do now is collate that together.

“We’re very aware that not all people are online, so we’re going to put a poster in the big shops to say to people that aren’t online that there is a phone number they can call.”

“We’re still in the building stage. There are various groups that are doing things so we’re trying to come together to show a united front.”

Meanwhile, Hilary insists the idea has already been a success.

“To date we have more than 35 volunteers,” said Hilary.

“We have had some responses from very isolated people in Whitchurch who have said how grateful they are to just know someone cares about them.”

“If it stopped there that would be a result.

“We will get some safeguarding measures in place as soon as possible and we are learning from other local groups in Higher Heath and Ellesmere for instance. We are also being guided by the local police.

“A lot will be done on trust which will be unavoidable at present but we feel that too much red tape will suffocate the genuine community spirit and people’s need to be useful and care.

“It is not a forum for chat, it is a conduit for help and connecting people and services available.”

Whitchurch Mayor, Councillor Bev Duffy has also praised the supportive nature of the town’s residents, not just through the Helping Hands group but across the board.

“It is at times like this that I see our community of Whitchurch really pulling together and offering a shining light in the dark times we are facing,” said Cllr Duffy.

“Various groups are being set up to help those who are vulnerable, both online and via WhatsApp, in order to keep the neighbourhoods connected.

“Members of the Whitchurch Community have set up a ‘Helping Hands’ Facebook group which is “Based on the principle of mutual aid and to ensure our friends and neighbours remain safe and well, particularly those who may be vulnerable.”

As well as Helping Hands, St Alkmund’s Church is also gathering volunteers and reaching out to those in need, as is the Beacon Church.

The town council is also willing to help in any way that it can to support.

“I just ask that we all follow the social distancing measures set by the government in order to flatten the curve of the virus,” added Cllr Duffy.

“The foodbank is currently low on donations so if anyone has anything to spare I urge you to consider a donation, no matter how small,” added Cllr Duffy. “I have included the foodbank in my charitable donations for this financial year.

“Even a friendly phone call could really brighten someone’s day.”

Whitchurch Town Council is gathering a list of these groups. For more information email info@whitchurchcouncil.uk

“If you would like any further information about how you could be helped then please do get in touch,” Cllr Duffy added.