Coronavirus: Support group founder delighted with flood of offers of help

Renée Mitchell (pictured), of Wickersley, founded the S66 Self-Isolation Support group on Facebook on Sunday — and by Wednesday it had attracted 800 members.

Members have arranged to distribute forms to the elderly and other people in isolation to ask for help with shopping or other services, offered to make deliveries and shared advice on keeping children occupied and maintaining good mental health.

Several nurses have also joined and are willing to offer medical advice where needed.

Renée, who has a son and daughter, said: “I started it on Sunday and added the people I know.

“I asked them to share it and it has just spread from there.

“I’ve been inundated by people that want to help.

“A lot of people have also contacted me personally who are community nurses and have a medical background who are offering to help anyone who needs that kind of assistance.

“People have been saying ‘What a great forum’ and that it had provided them with some comfort.

“We’re right at the start of this situation and we don’t know what the picture is going to be over the coming weeks.

“It might be if you’re a carer or care for a family member and you can’t call and check on them that we can call and see if they’re OK.

“I’m well supported with family and friends but a lot of people are not in that position and this group will be there for them as long as it needs to be.”

Renée, who said and her 12-year-old son Harry and three-year-old daughter Isla were following the government guidance on social distancing herself, said membership of the group was open to everyone, not just those living in or near the S66 area.

“Hopefully we’ll be offering support and help out where we can,” she said.

“If I can drop off a bag of pasta for someone who needs it I’m happy to — there are hundreds of people willing to do the same.”