Volunteers in County Durham create support hub to help vulnerable people during lockdown

Volunteers in Sacriston have set up a support team to help vulnerable people cope during the coronavirus lockdown.

With the help of local businesses, community groups and parish councils, they are able to provide hot meals, shopping, prescription pick-up services, key worker transport and also a befriending service.

The Food for Thought project is available to people in Sacriston, Edmondsley, Nettlesworth, Kimblesworth and Plawsworth.

Volunteer and community centre trustee Peter Beard who helps shop for supplies and delivering hot meals Credit: Food For Thought

Live Well North East, Sacriston Youth Project, Woodshed Workshop and RecycLD have been involved in creating more than 100 free care packages, which contain food, cleaning products and toiletries. The packages are being funded by public donations and they have already been distributed to those in need.

Volunteer and Parish Councillor Lisa Walker who manages Nettlesworth Community Cafe Credit: Food For Thought

Volunteers involved with the project say they are following social distancing guidelines and safeguarding protocol.