A group of Nansledan residents are volunteering their time and effort to help those living in the community who are self-isolating in their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spearheaded by the Nansledan Community Association (NCA), volunteers have reached out to those living in the community who are currently not able to leave their homes and access amenities.

A leaflet, offering to pick up shopping and medication, post mail or even to have a friendly phone call, has now been posted to every occupied household in Nansledan, the Duchy of Cornwall’s extension to the seaside town of Newquay. The service aims to ensure that no-one in the community is left completely isolated by the Coronavirus.

All residents need to do is to call 01637 854990 or email the Nansledan Community Association to arrange their request. A volunteer will then deliver goods to their door or phone them for a chat.

Theresa Ferguson, Chair of the Nansledan Community Association, said: “We are doing our very best to protect the community and we are already starting to see a number of requests coming through.

“Now that schools are closed, we are also posting activities which can be carried out around the community to help to keep children and adults mentally and physically busy. These are designed both for people who can get outside and for those who are isolating.”

One of the activities includes encouraging children and their families to paint rainbows and put them in the window, an activity that is happening in communities across the UK.

00445. Hugh Hastings Nansledan 23 March 2020 resized
March 23rd was the first day in the UK of school closures due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Nansledan resident Debbie Hayes paints on the glass window of The Hub community space. Photo by Hugh Hastings.

Ben Murphy, Estate Director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “It is great to see the people of Nansledan coming together to support each other in these challenging times. I would like to thank the NCA’s team of volunteers for working tirelessly to help fellow residents by picking up groceries, vital medication and offering a sympathetic ear to people who aren’t able to leave their homes. Nansledan is a community we can all be proud of, and the Duchy team remain contactable during office hours to offer their support and advice as these events touch all our lives, both personally and professionally.”

The form that the Nansledan Community Association is using to help residents get through the coronavirus crisis.
The form that the Nansledan Community Association is using to help residents get through the coronavirus crisis.

The NCA said volunteers working in the community are either already DBS checked, or have completed a form introduced to address a DBS shortfall.

If you have any coronavirus related enquiries or issues you can access Cornwall Council’s dedicated web pages here, or you can email covid19@cornwall.gov.uk

For COVID-19 business support information please visit the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, who can provide free information and guidance.