Volunteers making sure people without internet are not forgotten during coronavirus pandemic

Volunteers are making sure people without the internet will not be overlooked in the coronavirus pandemic, with a dedicated phone line.

The Croydon Covid-19 Mutual Aid (CCMA) group has 3,500 members and 70 local groups spanning from Kenley to Norbury.

A helpline has now been set up which will be open from 8am-8pm daily.

Its volunteers are connected with the local groups so those in need can be supported by their neighbours.

Ben Taylor from CCMA said: “These have been tough times but people across Croydon have been finding the support they need from their own community through local mutual aid groups.

“But many people can’t or don’t use the internet and so may find it hard to reach out.

“With this helpline we’ll be able to help link these up with people in their own community so they can get the support they need. Where their need is sensitive or complex we can signpost them up to the correct agencies such as Croydon Voluntary Action.”

The mutual aid group was set up last month and gained thousands of members in just a few weeks.

Local people have so far stepped up to collect shopping or urgent medical supplies and have phone chats with people self-isolating and even redistributed hoarded toilet rolls.

CCMA has been taking on some of the less complex cases and working with Croydon Voluntary Action to prevent other services getting swamped.

The helpline number is: 020 3322 8379.