The Buckfastleigh COVID-19 Emergency Response Team will support the town’s foodbank, Medical Centre and community care service. A new helpline has been created and a call for volunteers has seen more than 180 people sign-up.

The volunteer team has dealt with almost 200 calls that have arranged help with deliveries and liaised with the Food Bank. Volunteers will also call residents to check on their wellbeing in Buckfastleigh and Dean Prior.

Mayor of Buckfastleigh, Cllr Andy Stokes, said: ‘It has been fantastic to see the level of community and neighbourly support that has sprung up in response to this crisis and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has put in so much of their time, energy and love into making sure that no one is left out in the amazing community we live in.’

There is now a new phone helpline in place for residents to use if they need support. Cllr Stokes added: ‘A different phone number published before will still work but the support group wish to encourage you to use this new, single land-line number which will put you through to our group of experienced volunteers who are staffing the phones from their homes and can assist you. Please call if you are self isolating and need help with food or medications or are struggling for any reason in this extraordinary situation.’

The Helpline number for Buckfastleigh is 01364 255 819

Or you can email [email protected]

(if you are in Ashburton the helpline number is 01364 255 919)

If you want to help out, you can volunteer by completing the form found here: www.bit.ly/buck-volunteers

For more information please visit: www.buckfastleigh.gov.uk