How older people in the Harrogate district can make a telephone friend during coronavirus self-isolation

Local Charity Supporting Older People is responding to the coronavirus outbreak by ceasing it's normal home visiting service and group activities and will be offering telephone befriending, shopping and other practical support to any older or vulnerable people in the district who are self-isolating.

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These are the ways you can get help if you are self-isolating in Harrogate because of coronavirus

Although the team are working from home they are appealing for volunteers who would like to telephone an isolated person once or twice a week or collect shopping or prescriptions for them.

Kate Rogata, Director, said: "We have been inundated with offers of support from our own volunteers, the Round Table and members of the Covid Co-operation Harrogate and the Duchy Residents' Association and Helpers' groups.

If you can become a telephone befriender to help older people in our area, contact the charity.

"We are working to ensure that everyone who needs practical support or just a friendly chat is able to receive support. We know that there are hundreds of people in our community who are feeling anxious and isolated and together with our colleagues across the voluntary and community sector and in local groups, we are doing everything we can to ensure that they know help and support are available."

Kate has also thanked Alan Fisher, chair of Harrogate Round Table, for asking his colleagues at Techbuyer to donate a laptop to those at the charity so they can continue supporting the community from home.

Here is how you can help a Harrogate restaurant support the elderly during coronavirus isolation

If you are able to help, please contact Supporting Older People on 01423 531490 or 07535 508043 or by email on [email protected]