VOLUNTEERS for the Studley Isolation Support Group are celebrating after doing their 5,000th act of kindness during the pandemic.
The milestone was passed earlier this week as the group slowly begins to wind down as lockdown restrictions ease.
“The Group was set up to protect the most vulnerable during the pandemic, and to date not one person we have supported has lost their life to Covid,” said Ruth Jewell, who together with Amy Thomas set up the group right at the start of the pandemic.
“We have had 65 volunteers carrying out various tasks since March 23, 2020 and they have helped 233 households in our village,” said Ruth.
“We have also delivered leaflets three times to every single household in the village – there are 2,571 households – letting people know support is out there.”
Tasks completed by volunteers include 42 pharmacy deliveries, more than 1,000 shopping trips, 2,900 newspapers popped through letter boxes, 234 dog walks and 40 foodbank donations/collections delivered.
“Plus we’ve sourced and delivered wood and coal, fuel for a mower, TV repair arranged, hearing aid dropped to the hospital for repair, runner bean seeds sourced and delivered and Christmas dinners delivered on Christmas Day!” said Ruth.
Alongside this the team made baby clothes, 2,265 scrub bags, 1,420 fabric face masks, and 619 headbands for masks all distributed to the NHS and within the community.
“Our volunteers have also joined the team of volunteer marshals/helpers at the vaccination centre, and others gave a socially distanced, outdoor Shakespeare performance last summer and are waiting to perform their Pantomime in May!” said Ruth.
The group will be doing one last leaflet drop in the village and also highlighting other groups in need of volunteers as the Covid-19 threat recedes.
