Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester called in to co-ordinate community response to coronavirus

The charity, known as VAAC, is working closely with West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and Chichester District Council to manage the community response across the county.

It is working hard to match up potential volunteers with organisations that need some extra support.

If you are a local charity or voluntary group that is looking for more volunteers to deliver your service, or an individual who would like to volunteer some of your time to help others, you can call VAAC on 07572673012 or email [email protected] for more information.

Hilda Sherwood, chief executive, said: “In these uncertain times, it is amazing how the community is coming together to support one another.

“We have support groups on social media and YouTube, volunteers that are delivering food parcels and medicines, and neighbours that are making sure vulnerable people in their street are safe and stay well.”

Volunteers could be helping organisations to deliver their normal services; taking phone calls or checking in with clients, transporting people to appointments or looking after people on hospital wards; or delivering new or informal services that have arisen due to the coronavirus. These might include delivering food or medicines, walking dogs or phoning isolated or vulnerable people to check they are okay.

VAAC is also reaching out to local charities and community groups that might need some additional support during these difficult times. It can help with advice on appropriate policies and procedures, such as keeping volunteers safe, identifying funding opportunities and keeping them up-to-date on all the current guidance and advice.

If you would like to find out more about how VAAC can help you or your organisation, visit the website www.vaac.org.uk/news/coronavirus

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