'It would be devastating' The elderly who could be facing months of isolation due to coronavirus

A group of elderly residents have spoken about the "devastating" impact months of self-isolation could have on them.

It was revealed that people over the age of 70 could be asked to self-isolate for four months amid thecoronavirus outbreak.

Older people and those with underlying health conditions are considered to be most vulnerable to the virus.

The Moorlands Community Centre, in Splott, Cardiff, hosts a lunch club providing those dealing with loneliness and isolation a hot meal in a social environment.

Around one hundred people use the service every week, but it could be forced to close as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

One of the service users, Sheila Kamara, said: "It would be devastating if I had to stay in.

“I am worried because I live in sheltered accommodation, so if it’s there it would spread like wildfire," she added.

"You’ve got ladies in their nineties and they love coming here. If they don’t come here they don’t get out.

“I’m worried about my family obviously, about my children, because if I’m restricted, they can’t come to me and I can’t come to them.”

The service provides a 'vital lifeline' to its users.

Barbara Thomson-Green said: “I’d be miserable, because I’m on my own quite a lot."

Elsie Lawrence, who has been going to the centre for twenty years, asked: "Where are we going, the elderly people? Where are they going to send us?"

Elza Maeshiro co-runs the lunch club and said they are following Public Health Wales advice.

Volunteers living in Grangetown are offering to run errands for those self-isolating.

People across Wales have been volunteering to help those self-isolating in their communities.

Hundreds of people in the Rhondda have volunteered to help, with more than 2,500 people joining the dedicated Facebook page.

Leanne Wood AM said: "So many people have come forward. It is yet another ringing endorsement of the Rhondda’s community spirit.

“We see the best of people in our communities when times are tough. We are now seeing that same compassion and dedication to helping others in the response to the coronavirus outbreak."

Volunteers living in Grangetown are also offering to help those self-isolating by picking up food supplies and prescriptions, posting mail, or just having a chat on the phone.

Councillor Ash Lister, coordinating the volunteers, said it is important for self-isolators to maintain human interaction.

"I think when you look at someone's mental health and well-being, not just their physical well-being, it's important for people to continue those kind of social contacts.

"I think that is going to support people more in this kind of time...just because they know there is someone there to help them."

Everything you need to know about coronavirus: