Here is some advice from Community Action Suffolk
Be a good neighbour – and link up with neighbours you already know
Sally Connick, head of community and voluntary action at Community Action Suffolk, already oversees a host of Good Neighbour Schemes, where volunteers help with everyday tasks.
She said: “It’s great to see such a response from so many people across the community wanting to help their neighbours. We really are seeing people prepared to give of themselves, which is so heartening. The top priority has to be keeping everyone safe.
“That means ensuring that the people we are supporting, who are isolating and vulnerable, can trust the help that’s on offer.
“We encourage Suffolk residents to make contact with their immediate neighbours to let them know that they can help with a bit of shopping or a chat over the phone if self-isolating. We suggest to keep to neighbours who will recognise you and trust your offer is genuine.”
She added: “As well as being neighbourly, we are encouraging people to go a step further and volunteer in their community.
“Suffolk community groups and charities have seen their volunteering force depleted by up to 80% as many fall into the over 70 category or one of the other groups advised to self-isolate.
“The volunteering portal Volunteer Suffolk will be updated over the coming weeks to show where there are groups looking for volunteers even if it is in a temporary capacity during the Covid-19 crises.
“We are supporting the network of Suffolk Good Neighbour Schemes to respond to the crises to ensure they are sustainable and can cope with demand as well as supporting new groups to set up.”
To register as a volunteer, visit https://volunteersuffolk.org.uk/