Three new community hubs have opened across the Folkestone district to support the vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It comes as 29,474 people have now been recorded as contracting coronavirus across the UK, with 2,352 people having now died.

And with more and more people now staying home in a bid to stop the spread, it is becoming increasingly important to offer help to those who need it most.

The new networks, funded by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), are being run by hundreds of volunteers and community groups based in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.

Support will include 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 too.

In Hythe, volunteers are also calling all 70+ year old residents on the books of the town’s two doctors surgeries, Oaklands and Sun Lane, on a rolling basis to check on their health and wellbeing.

The services are available to anyone of any age who is struggling at this time, including with other concerns such as financial.

The hubs can be found at Three Hills Sports Centre - supported by Citizens Advice and Kent Coast Volunteering - in Folkestone; Age UK in Hythe and the Romney Marsh Day Centre on Romney Marsh.

Owen Hardie, 21, is volunteering in Folkestone following the closure of McDonalds, where is was a trainee shift manager.

He said: "I have done all sorts of things since I have started volunteering at the Folkestone hub. From dog walking and shopping to answering calls at the Three Hills Sports Park, where the hub is based.

"The other volunteers are great to work with and come from all different walks of life.

"I’d definitely recommend it to others and would tell people in a similar situation to me to sign-up to be a volunteer at your local hub.

"It’s a privilege to be able to help our community at this difficult time.

"We all have friends and relatives who may not be able to go out for themselves at the moment, so to have a service like the Folkestone community hub is vital for those who are most vulnerable.”

Speaking about the hubs, Cllr Martin Whybrow, from Hythe Town Council, said: “This was exactly what was needed, a joined-up, consensus-based and bottom-up response to the Covid-19 crisis from those on the front-line.

"It provides a co-ordinated structure across all providers that avoids duplication of effort and creates a safe focal point to harness all of those wanting to volunteer."

Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, FHDC cabinet member for communities, added: "The strength of community spirit in our district is extraordinary and Owen is certainly proof of that.

"Owen and others like him are doing an incredible job of supporting the local community while our residents’ movements are restricted.

"I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive proactive support from our local organisations and volunteers such as Owen. Without these people, vulnerable residents would be isolated and struggle to get by. My heartfelt thanks goes out to them all.

"No one in our district need feel as though they are going through this challenging period on their own.

"If you need assistance and don’t have a local support network - please do get in touch. We’re all in this together, so let’s look after one another."

The hubs will be open 9am-4pm and can be contacted, but not visited, through these details:

• Hythe - run by AGE UK: covid-19@ageukhl.org.uk or 01303 269602

• Folkestone - run by Three Hills Sports Centre supported by Citizens Advice and Kent Coast Volunteering: covid-19@3hsp.co.uk or 01303 316186

• Romney Marsh - run by Romney Marsh Day Centre: Covid-19@rmdc.org.uk or 01797 208590

• To volunteer, visit here.

Jon Wilson, from the Romney Marsh hub said: "The COVID-19 outbreak means that we’re all facing unprecedented times and challenges.

"As things linked to coronavirus continue to unfold and the situation worsens, it is even more important that the community works collaboratively to support those who will be most vulnerable over the forthcoming weeks and months.

"The aim of the hub is to keep people updated on the situation and let them know what they can do and where they can get help if they need it.”

FHDC, which has closed its offices in Folkestone, has also set up a helpline for residents on 01303 761116 (open from 9am to 5pm daily) and an email Covid-19@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk for Covid-19 queries.

The launch of the new hubs comes as there are more and more changes across the district.

All events on council land have been called off, including Folkestone Pride, all scheduled boot fairs, The Kent Golden Mile, Junior Mile & 5K in Dymchurch, and many more.

The popular New Romney Country Fayre, due to take place in July, has been scrapped, as have all events at the nature reserve at Dungeness.

The 2020 season of live music and film screenings at the Harbour Arm has also been postponed, and the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) based in Folkestone has closed its watch station.

The Hythe Imperial Hotel and the Grand Burstin are both closed.

The opening of a new cinema in the Marsh Academy's leisure centre, due next month, has also been delayed and holiday park Romney Sands in Greatstone has closed until May.

But people are still finding ways to connect and look to the future.

Care homes across the district are inviting people, particularly children, to send in letters to residents, who are receiving fewer visitors as restrictions are put in place.

A Folkestone dad is also reading a daily bedtime story and streaming it live online.

And work to transform Folkestone seafront continues near the Leas Lifts, where 84 luxury flats are due to be built.

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