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Kedington volunteer group is providing help where it is most needed during the coronavirus crisis




A team of volunteers is helping to make sure the residents of two rural communities near Haverhill that need help during the current coronavirus crisis have someone to turn to.

A team of some eight volunteers, with more on stand-by, is assisting with shopping or collecting and delivering medicines where required within the parish of Kedington and Calford Green.

Everything is co-ordinated under the umbrella of Kedington Parish Council, led by by two councillors, Ann Naylor and Stella Wilsher.

Kedington parish councillors Ann Naylor and Stella Wilsher who launched a volunteer group to help people in isolation. Picture by Mecha Morton
Kedington parish councillors Ann Naylor and Stella Wilsher who launched a volunteer group to help people in isolation. Picture by Mecha Morton

They mooted the idea at the last parish council meeting on March 17 and the next day, a letter went out to the whole parish to inform them that help was there if needed.

Parish clerk of 14 years Marion Farrant said: “We had an awful lot of responses to the letter from residents and we had to get the necessary consent forms done.

“We’ve put everything in place, risk assessments, safeguarding policy. Basicall,y Ann and Stella have been running it and we’ve had other volunteers going round helping people and we have co-ordinated with other agencies.”

The volunteer group – which has a dedicated email address at kedingtonvolunteers@outlook.com –also works with other agencies, such as West Suffolk Council’s families and communities team (see page 4), the Voluntary Network and Haverhill Foodbank, to help ensure it reaches as many people as it can that need a hand, explained Ms Farrant.

She said: “The volunteers are working really hard, all of them are just absolutely amazing.

“The parish council is really grateful to Ann and Stella, who have taken this on.”

Ms Farrant also emphasised the assistance offered by the village’s Nisa Store and Kedington Butchers which are both taking orders from customers and working with volunteers to get those delivered.

All orders are paid for over the phone so no cash is handled.

Ms Farrant added: “Everybody has been absolutely brilliant, they really have. It’s a real team effort and we are very grateful to Ann and Stella for what they have been doing.

“We are very pleased with how it has worked.”

Cllr Naylor said: “Stella and I would like to thank the Kedington Community Association for their support. they have been brilliant.”

One village resident offered praise to Ann and Stella.

June Bradford, 85, of Mill Road, said: “They are doing a wonderful job and make sure people are alright.”