A NEW council-led scheme has been set up to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Darlington Borough Council has launched Darlington Cares: Community, and is now looking for volunteers who could be asked to do a wide range of activities including: running errands, delivering food. People are also needed to answer phones in the community hub and make befriending calls to people who are self isolating and feel lonely.

Volunteers will be offered support and advice to keep both them, and the people they are helping, safe.

Heather Scott, Leader of Darlington Council, said: “We are living in unprecedented times and we know the people of Darlington want to come together to help the most vulnerable in our community.

"People who are self isolating, including those over 70, can still volunteer as they could make phone calls without leaving the house - it doesn’t matter how much or little time you can give, any help will make a real difference to most vulnerable people.”

Anyone aged over 18 who wants to offer their help should go to http://www.darlington.gov.uk/communityvolunteer and fill in an online form expressing their interest after which they will be matched to someone in the community who requires their service.