A COMMUNITY group with almost 500 members has been set up to help the elderly and vulnerable residents in the Eastleigh area during the coronavirus crisis.

As many residents face significant periods of self isolation, residents in Eastleigh are coming together to make sure the vulnerable are supported, with hundreds of people having joined the “Eastleigh Community Aid Support” Facebook page.

This page was set up as a “central hub” for people who want to volunteer in their community, as well as people who need assistance until the coronavirus blows over and a spreadsheet has been created, which allows the organisers to match up volunteers from each area, with the people that need help.

The group aims to provide accurate information to those who need it, encourage volunteers to physically help the vulnerable with tasks such as shopping, and offer emotional support to people self-isolating by talking to them on the phone to reduce loneliness.

Josh Constable, 23, who helped set up the group, said: “We set this group up to act as a central hub , trying to get as many Eastleigh residents involved as possible to help with volunteering in the community.

“The whole point is to bring the community together and this will be hugely important moving forward. We have a big opportunity to stop some suffering before it gets started. This is what communities do in times of crisis.

“Our focus is to connect people with those near them and let them help neighbours and friends through this crisis."

The group organisers are appealing for more volunteers to help out around the borough, and even a 15 minute call to a neighbour “can help people get through this”.

Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes believes this idea is “comforting and reassuring” for the community.

He said: “At this time of national emergency, it is comforting and reassuring to see residents pulling together. We have a great sense of community locally, and I am not surprised to see people stepping up to be counted.

“The role of volunteers in the coming weeks and months will be crucial in supporting vulnerable people. It is vital that our volunteers stay safe and following medical advice though.”

To become a volunteer, visit the website at https://eastleigh-aid.uk, where there will be instructions on how to register and access the volunteer spreadsheet.