Friendship line first project for Rasen support group

Headed up by town and district councillor Stephen Bunney, its members will come from churches and voluntary groups within the town.

Coun Bunney said: “There has been a fantastic response to the immediate crisis created by the pandemic, but the effects are going to be with us for a while.

“This will be an umbrella group to co-ordinate the response of voluntary action groups both now and throughout the coming year as we get back on our feet.”

The Market Rasen Town Partnership Covid-19 Support Group will run until December 2021.

It will be guided by the needs of the town’s residents and businesses.

One of the current issues identified is loneliness and a feeling of true isolation.

This is something that is hoped to be helped by the setting up of a ‘Friendship Line’.

Volunteers will be linked up with people who would appreciate a regular phone call, whether daily, weekly, or occasionally.

Town councillor Jo Pilley will be acting as co-ordinator.

She said: “I think it is vitally important that we support all those who are housebound, self isolating or lonely in our community, especially during the current crisis.

“If we can do this by making friends via personal contact on the telephone it will also give us the opportunity to ask if they need any help”.

Coun Bunney added: “We know the local churches and perhaps some other groups already have a calling system in place, but we know there are people who fall outside these groups.

“This is a simple way for people to have that human contact.

“Guidelines and full support will be given to those coming forward to be the callers.”

Jo is now looking for volunteers to help get the Friendship Line going.

She said: “I would be grateful if volunteers could contact me by email on [email protected] as it would make it easier to record their contact details.

“However, if that is not possible, they can of course contact me via the Community Manager at the town council on 01673 842479.”