Volunteers are coming together to support the Gainsborough community

Thanks to a team of 26 incredible volunteers, Eudaimonia, which runs the Affordable Foods Community Shop and Social Lounge on Queensway, has been able to step up to support people and families during the period of social distancing.

The team are delivering free parcels of food and household essentials to vulnerable people who are self-isolating or to those who are unable to leave their home due to health problems.

Not only are items like pasta and toilet rolls being delivered, volunteers are also helping people with tasks they’re no longer able to do like walking their dogs and collecting parcels.

Eudaimonia’s food truck will also be providing take away hot meals, and a delivery service is available for those who are isolated in their homes.

Eudaimonia was awarded over £200,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund in December to expand its community shop and social lounge.

Steve Ralf, chairman of Eudaimonia, said: “Most people we support live day-by-day, week-by-week, they don’t have the money to stock pile and panic buy and some don’t have the health to be able to do that either.

“It’s a worrying time for a lot of people, especially if they are self-employed or are on zero-hour contracts.

“What we are seeing is that this situation is bringing out the best in communities, not just the worst.

“We’re really seeing the local community coming together and I’m sure this positive spirit will last well beyond the coronavirus crisis.”

Nicola Thurbon, senior head of funding for the Midlands at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “In this time of crisis it’s heartening to see the way communities are coming together to provide each other with support.

“The charities and voluntary sector organisations we fund, like Eudaimonia and their volunteers, are playing a vital role in their community.

“We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and are doing everything we can to make it easy for them to adapt to these difficult circumstances.”