A HELPLINE set up to assist people during lockdown has received more than 400 calls since its launch.

At the time of going to press, the Alice Cross Community Helpline (01626 626626) has helped out 244 individuals during the coronavirus crisis.

This figure includes 88 people requiring general help and support; 94 who required help with shopping; 16 people for telephoning befriending; 11 people with meal requirements; 24 people offering help to volunteer; and 11 people calling in but not needing help.

Twenty-two volunteers have been vetted to ensure not only their safety, but also to take into account safeguarding regarding the people they are helping.

The new recruits are helping with phoning people, shopping and supporting vulnerable people at this time of crisis.

In addition to this there is an existing bank of Alice Cross volunteers, help from U3A volunteers and VIH (Volunteering In Health) staff and volunteers.

The organisation also gave a special thanks to the U3A team for making follow-up calls.

Paul Burgess, chairman of Alice Cross trustees, said: ‘I would like to say a very big thank you to our amazing staff, Julia Street, Alison and Yvonne who have been incredible during this extremely busy time.

‘Without our committed staff and volunteers we could not help the 400-plus people who have called our helpline.

‘People have called from all areas of Teignmouth, Dawlish and beyond, and we even had a call from Scotland from a daughter worried about her mother in Teignmouth.

In addition to helping people with shopping, food and other things we take for granted each day, our staff and volunteers have been able to reassure vulnerable and self-isolating people – many of whom are very apprehensive – that they are not alone and someone is there to help them.’

The Alice Cross has also received donations from Teignmouth Town Council The Mayor of Teignmouth Fund, Cllr Robert Phipps, Cllr Sylvia Russell (from her DCC fund) and the Rotary Club Of Teignmouth.

Donations have also been made by the centre to to Melissa Middleton at the Whistlestop Cafe, who is cooking lunches each day for vulnerable people, and HITS.

They will also be making a donation to the Meadow Center (KRA Teignmouth) who are cooking and delivering a Sunday lunch to people in the community – including people who have contacted the helpline.