However, although people are unable to get together physically this year, Volunteer Centre Dorset (VCD) would like to thank those who have volunteered to support local communities during isolation.

Marie Waterman, manager at VCD, said, “Volunteer Centre Dorset asked people to step up to help those most vulnerable in their community during this crisis and almost 2,000 people registered to offer their help in whatever way they could. The response has been incredible, I feel that the organised, quick response from communities and individuals is one of the reasons why our hospitals have seen a low number of cases and Dorset has been able to manage the crisis. Those who have had to isolate and are vulnerable have been kept safe and supported in their homes by an army of volunteers who have helped with a variety of tasks, shopping, delivering food parcels, delivering prescriptions, dog walking and just being a friendly voice at the end of a telephone. All of these have been essential to ensure people remain safe and well.

“We continue to need volunteers, so those that we have not yet contacted, please don’t give up, we receive calls daily for people who still need support, and as some people need to return to work we will continue to need people to volunteer for those most vulnerable in our communities.

“Volunteers from Age UK, Citizens Advice, Food Banks and the Community Response groups and more carry out 1000s of tasks every day, providing the essential connections needed in times of crisis.”

If you want to find out more please contact the Volunteer Centre on 01305 269214 or email info@volunteeringdorset.org.uk  or visit  www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk.