The Street Community Support Group was founded three weeks ago in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Aware of the difficulties this could bring to so many in the community, the group wanted to do as much as they could to help vulnerable people and those self-isolating.

Since then, the group has gone from strength to strength, with more than 150 people from the local community signing up to help.

Alongside the individual helpers, many local organisations have offered their support to the group, and have been instrumental in developing the group into what it is today.

These organisations include the Churches of Street, the Salvation Army, Millfield School, local councillors, volunteers of the Crispin Community Centre, and Carly Dutton Design and Photography.

The group also receives ongoing support from Street Parish Council, Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council.

One of the first initiatives to be introduced was the Prescription Delivery Service, led by the Community Team from Millfield School, bringing vital support to those unable to collect their medicines.

The Salvation Army has so far run two Community Markets, with food donated by Millfield School and their on-site catering team, Chartwells.

They also offer a Food Parcel Delivery Service to those in need, with donations gratefully accepted.

Individual volunteers are shopping for those unable to do so and have recently developed this service so that they can now take payment by card over the phone, ensuring the whole process involves no contact with the people who need this service.

Four individuals in particular - Liz, Michaela, Heather and Diana - have stepped-up and are taking huge numbers of phone calls every day to help with any requests for assistance or assurance.

Last week, the group launched their new website which includes a list of useful contacts, links to organisations providing advice on Covid-19, and information about the different organisations offering guidance on looking after both your physical and mental health.

There's also a section where you can find out what stores or delivery services are available locally.

This section is an ongoing development, and the group are asking that if you know of any other companies that can be featured on the page to please let them know. Other ideas in the pipeline include a YouTube channel and links with Street Library.

The group will soon be delivering their second newsletter door-to-door, with the help of their volunteers.

The first leaflet, which went to more than 5,000 homes in Street, has been developed into a more comprehensive newsletter.

As well as door-to-door deliveries, the newsletter will be available at the Post Office, banks, Vine Surgery and pharmacies.

The Street Community Support Group is asking that if you have knowledge of someone living on their own and you have concerns about how they are coping, to please contact the group, and it will be dealt with in confidence.

The group can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone - please see streetcommunitygroup.org for a list of contacts.

You can keep up-to-date with ongoing development by following the group on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.