COMMUNITIES and businesses have shown great resolve in adapting to the Covid pandemic and a community minibus group is no exception.

Under normal circumstances, Bedale Community Minibus team organise trips out for those in the Bedale area.

But since mid-November, the team has been delivering prescriptions to people who are shielding but need their medication.

The bus is run by a small charitable organisation and after a Bedale pharmacy became overwhelmed with delivery requests, a team of volunteers stepped in to help before the minibus team was approached by North Yorkshire County Council.

A member of team Malcolm Bloor said: “We agreed to provide the service one day per week for 16-weeks.

“We go to the chemist, the driver shows their ID and they get a box of medication and then drive round delivering it to people in the community.

“We make sure someone at the house, either the person themselves or a carer, take the medication from us so it’s delivered and we can report back any problems to the pharmacy.”

Malcolm added they received a grant of £1,000 to start the community pharmacy and he raised £1,000 of their own funds to ensure that all expenses could be met.

Gary Fielding, Corporate Director for Strategic Resources at the county council, said: “It’s incredible to see how community organisations have changed and adapted to meet the needs of their communities.

“Help and support is always there if it’s needed, in a range of different ways.

“I want to thank community organisations like Bedale Community Minibus for their flexibility in serving their community.”

Marie-Ann Jackson, Head of Stronger Communities, said: “This is yet another example of just how resourceful and adaptable our local charities are in the county.

“North Yorkshire is incredibly diverse: different places have differing needs and also differing community assets.

“We know our local groups are best placed to understand what is needed in their communities and this is a great example of how a much loved community service is being put to best use during these unprecedented times to serve its local residents!”