Hundreds more care packages will be delivered to vulnerable people in the Deal area thanks to cash from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Mental health support group Talk It Out has secured a £7,500 grant to provide 300 emergency food and essential bundles to people struggling financially and emotionally because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's thanks to committee member and grants officer Colin Smith who sent off the application to the funders. He also successfully secured a £3,000 from the National Emergencies Trust via The Kent Community Foundation Coronavirus Emergency Fund in May.

He highlighted that the delivery of the packages not only helps boost mental wellbeing but in light of reduced contact with members, also allows volunteers to check in on people and signpost if they have any concerns.

He said: "Nobody knows the most vulnerable people in and around Deal better than Tracy Carr, Adrian Friend and Marie Jordan from mental health support group Talk it Out.

"We have already previously funded and self funded over 140 emergency food and essential bundles.

"These stopped when the funding ran out but we can now start again.

"What I love about this project is the entire £7,500 is spent on 300 bundles at a unit cost of £25.

"That means all of the money is spent on the bundles for the most vulnerable in our community. The volunteers like Tracy and Adrian will shop and deliver them to homes free of charge.

"These food bundles have a dual purpose, not only helping with food poverty, but giving Talk it Out the chance to check on our members and signpost if necessary. They're literally saving and protecting lives."

Talk It Out is a volunteer run service which has previously been acknowledged by Kent Police for reducing the number of crisis calls by 75% in the area.

Its daily hub in in Victoria Road in Deal has been closed throughout lockdown but members can still access support via video call.

Since outdoor gatherings were permitted, volunteers have been meeting with six members at a time in St George's Church Grounds from 11am for one hour every Monday.

Leader Tracy Carr is also organising virtual counselling sessions for members if needed and socially distanced meet ups at the group's allotment plot, Lost the Plot in Telegraph Road.

To nominate somebody for a care package, contact Tracy Carr on 07923096273.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal