Harrogate MP to launch 'army of volunteers' to help people during coronavirus lockdown

Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP is set to launch his own small army of volunteers to support the community during the coronavirus outbreak.
Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP Andrew Jones: "We need to work hard and work together so that we get through this."Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP Andrew Jones: "We need to work hard and work together so that we get through this."
Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP Andrew Jones: "We need to work hard and work together so that we get through this."

Andrew Jones admitted he had never done anything like this before but said the emergency nature of the crisis meant it was essential he did something to help.

Mr Jones is calling for people to volunteer to become 'good neighbours' and help people who are self-isolating during the crisis.

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His plan is to match people self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak with people who can help is designed to support the work of the local councils, the NHS and voluntary services.

Mr Jones said: “I have never done anything like this before. I know that there will be difficulties to be overcome and that not all the problems will have solutions.

"But we need to work hard and work together so that we get through this."

To start the scheme ahead of the weekend, when the medical experts are advising self isolation begins, Mr Joned sent an email yesterday, Wednesdayto 9,000 local people for whom he has contact details.

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The email asked constituents to identify if they would be in need of support and also to ask for volunteers to provide that support.

Mr Jones and his team will attempt to match the help needed with the support offered.

He is also asking people who are not in the ‘at risk’ groups to offer their support to those who are.

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Mr Jones said: “It’s time to be the best neighbour that we can be. Community really matters right now, and will do for the immediate future.

"We must do all we can to ensure that everyone who is self-isolating gets the support they need.

"That might be shopping, it might be collecting a prescription, it might be providing company through a phone call every now and then.

“If people normally get produce from a specific shop we need to look how we can support them continuing to do that.

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"There must be a way to arrange payment and for someone to collect the goods and leave them on the doorstep.

"If we look for solutions we can support our local retail as well as local people and our community.”

If you are interested in helping or need help yourself please email Andrew Jones on [email protected] with your full contact details.

If you do not have email then please call his office on 01423 529614.