RESIDENTS in communities across the district have been going above and beyond by volunteering their time to help those in need.

In Corbridge, more than 100 volunteers have come forward to be community volunteers for a Corbridge Coronavirus Community Support group which has been set up.

It has seen community groups in the village come together to put volunteers in touch with those who need support in and around the village.

The parish council, St Andrew’s Church, Corbridge Methodist Church, Visit Corbridge and County Councillor Nick Oliver are all working together to co-ordinate connecting community volunteers with those who need help.

Coun. Oliver said: “The community response has been fantastic with nearly 100 people offering help. We have set up a community phone line and a form on the Visit Corbridge website for people to offer help and ask for help.

“People may need essential groceries collecting, a prescription picking up, a dog walking or simply somebody to chat to on the phone. As people ask for help we are putting them in touch with those who can help.”

People can submit a form if they need help or want to volunteer to help others on www.visitcorbridge.co.uk/coronavirus, or they can call a new community helpline on 07519 599474.

In Bellingham, volunteers from Bellingham Parish Council have been delivering shopping and prescriptions and posting letters for residents.

They are working with shops in the village to put together shopping orders, before paying for the goods themselves, and using a card reader on a long stick to get payment back from the residents as they go around to make deliveries.