Malmesbury Town Council and Malmesbury based charity Heals have formed a partnership to support vulnerable individuals and families in the town during the coronavirus crisis.

The partnership aims to back up family, neighbours, friends and community groups, providing support to offer a virtual “One Stop Shop" for all those who need help, as well as those who want to volunteer to help people they don’t already know, in situations where support can’t otherwise be provided.

The council expect this to include, prescription and medicines collection and home delivery, essential food and grocery collection and home delivery and friendship calls and activities with isolated people by phone or Facetime.

Malmesbury's deputy mayor Campbell Ritchie said: "As a town council we want to do all we can to help those who need it most and enable them to receive the support they need. 
"This means supporting families, neighbours and friends and community groups who want to offer assistance, particularly where people in could receive support from volunteers they don’t already know.
"We will also be working hard to safeguard the health and wellbeing of volunteers and vulnerable people in Malmesbury.
“We are pleased to be working closely with Heals. 
"They have great experience helping residents and families struggling with problems.
“Malmesbury is a terrific place. I want to thank all the existing and new community groups in Malmesbury that are offering help at this difficult time. 
"We are already working together and will continue to do so.‎" 

Cllr Gavin Grant, Heals chair of Trustees added: "These are very difficult times for many people and families in our town.

"Those we already support will continue to get our help. But we know those numbers are likely to rise in the coming weeks.

“Working in partnership with the town council makes best use of Heals' knowledge and experience.

"It’s also the best way to make sure we maximise the number of those helped and make best use of those coming forward to volunteer.

“Challenging days lie ahead, but I am very confident that if we all do the right things by each other, we will get through this and Malmesbury will be an even better, more caring and stronger community than it is now."

People who want to volunteer should email Malmesbury Town Council at administration@ malmesbury.gov.uk or tic@malmesbury.gov.uk.

A volunteering form is also available at www.malmesbury.gov.uk.

Those needing help can also contact the town council by calling 01666 822142 between 9.30am and 1pm Monday to Friday or emailing administration@malmesbury.gov.uk or tic@malmesbury.gov.uk.

An assessment will be made of the best way to help and the registered volunteers or local community groups will be mobilised.

More complex cases, including people with debts, rent or Council Tax arrears, Foodbank voucher requests or who need to replace essential household items, will be passed to Heals.