A council has warned that community volunteers are "finding their goodwill stretched" due to residents misusing their services amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Three community hubs in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh have recorded 14,000 calls between them since being set up in March.

The hubs were set up by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) alongside charities with the aim to help vulnerable and isolated residents who have no family nearby to support them during the crisis.

Support includes emergency food and meal deliveries, help with repeat prescriptions for medication, help with pets or just a person on the end of a phone to talk to.

However, volunteers are having to deal with a number of residents misusing their services.

An FHDC spokesperson said: "Volunteers have given up their time and potentially put their own health at risk to deliver essentials, but the goodwill of the hub teams is being stretched by the potential misuse of their generosity."

One such incident saw a volunteer deliver a prescription to a resident's home, only to find that the intended recipient had gone out for a drive.

"It must be remembered that this is for those who have no-one else to turn to"

In another instance, the contents of a food delivery were rejected because the items were not fully organic- despite warnings that substitutions may have to be made.

Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, FHDC Cabinet member for Communities said: “It is disappointing to hear about this small minority of instances and we must repeat the advice that the hubs are only for those who really need help.

“What this wonderful team of volunteers is providing is amazing but it must be remembered that it is for those who have no-one else to turn to.

"Their friends may be elderly or isolating themselves and not able to help and family members may live too far away.

“I have read many of the messages in the thank you notes and cards which have been sent and have been deeply touched that together with the charities and voluntary organisations we have been able to provide a lifeline for so many people.”

If you are vulnerable and in need of help during the pandemic, you can find the hubs' contact details here.

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