A new Facebook Group has been created to organise support in the community for anyone in need of help in Verwood and Three Legged Cross.

The group has been set up by local resident Shelley Rose who has experience in pulling volunteers together in situations such as this.

Shelly runs a homeless charity Second Chance, working with vulnerable groups. She told VerwoodToday.co.uk about the plans for the Group: “I have been watching the build-up to this awful situation we all find ourselves in now and my concerns over the vulnerable members of the community in Verwood were growing.

“I saw that there were people in the community, all over Facebook that were trying to offer help to those people but in fragmented ways. As I have experience in safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with, I thought I would offer to coordinate a support group for those that are in self-isolation due to illness or feel isolated by the situation.

“I’m used to organising groups of volunteers so that’s my bit of help by doing that. It’s not much really, the kind offers of volunteers, lots of them, should be commended for their offers of time and care to others.

“This is a community-led initiative manned by volunteers. I hope we can support those that need someone to do those tasks, get shopping, walk the dog or just someone at the end of the phone. I’m hoping it will be up and running in the next couple of days. I’ve just got to make sure everyone is safe and I’ve covered all the risks.

“Verwood is full of kind caring people. I’m proud to be part of this community.”

The Facebook Group is up and running now and can be found here.

For more information on local issues surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, visit our dedicated page here or join the Verwood Information Alerts Group to share essential information.