Initially, some 250 people volunteered for the Ferndown Community Coronavirus support group and almost 300 local residents have had help at least once – many continue to get help on a regular, on-going basis. This vital network of support provides help with shopping, prescriptions collections, food bank assistance and the occasional bit of dog walking as well as a friendly supportive phone call being offered.

Volunteers are available for all residents, and with some even receiving and giving support at the same time.

As Christmas approaches, and we are again subject to lockdown restrictions, the group would like to extend its scope to adding a little something extra for those who may have little or no Christmas cheer to look forward to. Group members have ambitious plans. They would like to gift a plant to an older person who may be felling isolated and low, provide a mini Santa sack to a child and, in order to shed some light on an otherwise subdued Christmas, they want to organise a “Best Dressed Christmas Garden” to shed some light around. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place – judges yet to be enlisted!

Group organiser Hannah Hobbs-Chell said, “Many of those we are helping have become close friends and we felt that we needed to offer them a treat at this time of year, which can otherwise be really difficult for them. To make this happen is a big undertaking but we know that with our established volunteer pool we can make a real difference to people.”

Go to www.ferndowncommunitycoronavirussupport.org.uk to find out how to get involved.