HELP is now available for people in Tenbury and the Teme Valley who are having to self-isolate due to the Covid-19 outbreak and may need non urgent support.

Worcestershire County Council launched a community action campaign as part of the ‘Here 2 Help’ and a dedicated Here 2 Help website.

A new form has now been created on the website for residents to fill in if they need non-urgent help and cannot get that help and support from friends, family or neighbours.

“We know in the coming weeks there will be many people who will need help because they are having to self-isolate,” said Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Communities.

“Our number one priority is making sure people who haven’t got the immediate support of family, friends and neighbours can still get the help they need.

“That might include food shopping, collecting regular prescriptions or someone to walk their dog.

“We are doing all we can to support communities in these testing times. But we must ask that in the first instance people ask friends, family or neighbours to help out as we need to make sure we are getting help to those people who really need it the most.”

The ‘I need help’ form is now available on the home page of the Here2Help website.

If someone has asked for help, they will receive a response within 24 hours to discuss in more detail their needs and what can be offered to support.

On the website there is also a ‘Tell us how you can help’ form for people who want to volunteer to help in their communities during these unprecedented times.

Once someone registers to help, they will receive an email notification confirming that their request has been received. Their details will then be passed onto a local volunteering group or community group to ensure they are helping in the right areas.

A phone number has been set up to help those who can’t access the internet, to fill out the form. The dedicated number is: 01905 768053, Monday to Sunday between 8am and 8pm.

Residents who have received a letter from the NHS asking them to self-isolate for 12 weeks and are deemed extremely vulnerable, can also use this number to request help with care, medicine and support with daily living.