A vital service which helped the most vulnerable across Waveney during the first lockdown is back up and running.
Coming Together, based in Lowestoft, Suffolk, started off as a Facebook group during the first lockdown to help the most vulnerable and high risk across Waveney.
As lockdown was lifted in July, demand for the service decreased but as soon as a second national lockdown was announced, organisers decided to set up the service again, delivering essential foods and other items.
Gail Rajgor started off by donating essential items to the group during the first lockdown and now volunteers alongside her work as a business and environmental journalist.
She said: “It’s incredible the type of people who rely on our services and it shows the economic impact the pandemic can have on people in our community.
“We had one guy who was referred to us recently by Unison who works as a paramedic and was struggling to feed his three children.
“One young guy referred to us went without food for three days until we delivered a food parcel to him, he was over the moon and went straight for the Pot Noodle.
“An elderly lady who lives alone was trying to feed herself off just £18 a month and lives alone. These are just some of the people we are helping across Waveney.”
The team at Coming Together have been receiving several requests a day for help from people through their Facebook page and this excludes organisation referrals.
Miss Rajgor said: “We expect a jump in demand for our service this month.
“This time around we have seen such a variety of donations from the public. It’s not just food but deodorant, wipes and even fresh fruit.
“The pandemic has thrown the spotlight on these societal issues but these issues have always been present.
“A long term solution needs to be found. The ideal for us is that we are not needed anymore.”
• Our Here to Help campaign is highlighting the people who are doing their bit to help during the coronavirus lockdown - and asking more people to take part.
The campaign, in association with Norfolk County Council, is urging people to do something to help their neighbours, friends, village, town or city, and then to tell us so we can shout about it.
Let us know what you are doing by emailing Donna-Louise Bishop on donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here