Volunteers needed to join Darlington Cares:Community

Darlington Council is today launching Darlington Cares:Community – a scheme to co-ordinate volunteers across the borough in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Anyone aged over 18 who wants to offer their help can go to https://www.darlington.gov.uk/communityvolunteer and fill in an online form expressing their interest. After relevant checks, volunteers will be accredited and deployed to help people in the community.

Volunteers could be asked to do a wide range of activities such as running errands, delivering food and looking after pets. People are also needed to answer phones in the community hub and make befriending calls to people who are self isolating and feel lonely.

Volunteers will be offered support and advice to keep them, and the people they are helping, safe.

Heather Scott, Leader of Darlington Council, said: “We are living in unprecedented times and we know the people of Darlington want to come together to help the most vulnerable in our community.

“By joining Darlington Cares:Community people can be sure that we will match them with people who will really benefit from their help whether it’s picking up something from the shops, talking their dog for a walk, posting a letter or just ringing them for a chat.

“People who are self isolating, including those over 70, can still volunteer as they could make phone calls without leaving the house.

“It doesn’t matter how much or little time you can give, any help will make a real difference to most vulnerable people in Darlington.”

Angela Howey, Chair of Darlington Cares, which is sponsoring the scheme, said: “This is a big undertaking but we know that there are lots of people out there who want to help and Darlington Cares:Community will make sure they are matched with the people who will most benefit.

“I want to thank the Darlington Cares businesses for their support. They remain committed to helping the people of Darlington.”