Community Response team marks 100 days of lockdown

THE Melksham Community Response team marked 100 days of lockdown last week with a look back on the achievements of the volunteer service. 

On the 100th day of lockdown, Tuesday 30th June, the  service, which was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, reported that with the help of 444 volunteers, it had helped 655 residents in need, carrying out 737 shopping trips, 268 dog walks, 1,001 prescription deliveries, and reached out to lonely and isolated residents by making 949 friendly phone calls.

And in total, the service answered 2,014 calls to the Community Support Hub.

Whilst praise has been heaped on the volunteers who made the service possible, the team behind the service – made up of staff members from Melksham Area Board, Melksham Town Council, Melksham Without Parish Council, the Assembly Hall, and volunteers from Age Friendly Melksham – have also received a special thank you.

Chair of Melksham Age Friendly, Jon Hubbard, who helped set up the response service said, “Quite rightly, much praise has been given to the 444 wonderful volunteers who have done so much to make it all happen.

“But in this last post, looking back at the last 100 days, I would like to focus on the core team who have been instrumental in delivering Melksham Community Support. 

“Frankly there are not adequate words to express just how special these people are – to be taken out of your day job and put onto the front line answering calls from, what were often, scared and distressed people, or being asked to plan the delivery of prescriptions, find volunteers for shopping or simply spend time on the phone to someone, assuring them that somehow it will all work out and be okay, must have been a difficult and challenging experience.

“In the early days of the project, the team were working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. As the demand on our services has reduced, as lockdown starts to ease, these staff have been returning to undertaking the duties of their normal day jobs, whilst keeping the service running effectively and efficiently.

“It’s been an honour to be part of this incredible team and as we further develop the service, and turn it into some sustainable and long term, I look forward to continuing to be being part of this incredible effort. So, Linda, Teresa, Patsy, Lorraine, Tim, Taylor, Alex, Marianne, Bruce, David, Kevin, Mel and Miriam – Thank You. Thank you so much – you will never truly know how amazing what you have all done, and are continuing to do, is and what a difference you have made to people’s lives.”

To contact the Melksham Community Response team, call 01225 809265.