In a Shropshire town, a young church member’s idea to help people with shopping has seen more than 1,000 answered calls for practical support for the vulnerable and isolated.
Shifnal Help launched the week before lockdown as St Andrew’s Church, brought together a community partnership to launch an emergency phone line for local people who were self-isolating. Two months later, today it now operates a helpline six days a week offering support, medication collection and delivery, shopping and other key tasks – with the local pub becoming a food donations hub.
Shifnal Vicar, The Revd Preb Chris Thorpe reveals: “It all started with one young mum from church called Elizabeth, who posted an offer to help people with shopping!”
“When people have been unable to pay for food, we have supplied food parcels and purchased particular things needed.”
– Rev Preb Chris ThorpeFind out how 1,000 calls for help have been answered by the church in a Shropshire town: https://t.co/tocAaHgfKV pic.twitter.com/BYuuNf7x6x
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) May 28, 2020