Here are all the community groups helping people in isolation

Community groups to support the vulnerable and the isolating and deliver them essential foods and medicines have been popping up all over the county.

Many people are facing long periods of time at home, unable to leave because their households are in 14 days of isolation after developing symptoms of Covid-19, or they are vulnerable and have been told to isolate or 'shield' themselves.

With online grocery delivery services booked out for weeks, some people have been concerned that they will not be able to get essential foods and medicines, but fortunately lots of communities are pulling together to provide for those who cannot get out.

Andy Gilyead, who set up a group that has now merged with another group 'Covid-19 Mutual Aid - Wellingborough', said: "At the moment, the offering of service is massively outweighing the demand, which is really good. People are really mobilising.

"Most of the requests are regarding specific essentials that people need."

He said the group plans to split into pages that will cover the different areas of the town.

Another service has been set up in Rothwell by the town council and more than 30 volunteers have said they will collect food and medicines for those in need.

Shaun Sedani, who owns Sonara Mexican Kitchen on Montagu Street in Kettering, has set up 'Coronavirus Support: Free Meals by Sonora, Kettering' and is providing contact-free meals for those in need.

He said: "We are creating a contact free environment where people can pick up a free cooked meal to either deliver to someone who is in need of one or to take home for themselves.

"Many soup kitchens in Kettering have had to shut because they offer a "café" style environment which involves a lot of contact and socialising, we are offering a free meal whilst removing those factors."

Shaun said to keep the operation low risk, they were limiting the number of volunteers taking part to four.

Yesterday (Monday), the county's emergency planning team, the Northamptonshire COVID-19 Community Resilience Team asked community groups and volunteers helping the isolated and vulnerable to register with them so they can map the services being provided.

Here is a list of the community groups offering help in north Northants.

If you know of any other groups, let us know via our email ([email protected]) or through our Facebook page and we will update the list.

Corby

Helping Hands (Kettering and Corby)Helping Hand - Coronavirus - Corby & SurroundingsKettering

Coronavirus Support: Free Meals by Sonora, KetteringCovid-19 Mutual Aid - Kettering All Saints and Avondale GrangeKettering Support Group - CoronaVirusHelping Hands (Kettering and Corby)Wellingborough

Covid-19 Mutual Aid - WellingboroughEarls Barton

Covid-19 Mutual Aid Irchester, Earls Barton, Bozeat and WollastonEarls Barton COVID-19 Caring thru CrisisEarls Barton is Kind (EBIK) coronavirus response groupRushden and Higham Ferrers

Covid-19 Rushden & Higham Lockdown GroupRothwell

Rothwell Emergency Delivery Service