Community leaders and organisations have come together for a virtual meeting in Liskeard to coordinate support networks in the town and surrounding area.

The meeting this morning was opened by Town and Cornwall Councillor Sally Hawken and while a few attendees observed social distancing in the hall itself, many other participants joined by video chat.

Key issues discussed were how to get food to those most in need, providing pastoral support to those who would be feeling most isolated, how to match up volunteer time and resources with the people who need them, and how best to get the most up-to-date information to residents who don’t go online.

It would be important, said Cllr Hawken, to make sure that there were contingency plans so that any community initiative could sustain itself for 12-24 weeks.

Other questions raised at the meeting included the provision of protective equipment for home carers and residential homes, and whether or not a new Derriford bus service, due to be trialled soon, would be introduced at present.

The Town Council is considering a leaflet drop to residents who don’t have the facility to go online for information.

Other actions are to be decided by the group and published by the Town Council in due course.

A Liskeard Covid-19 Help and Support Facebook page, now with more than 1000 members, is becoming an important port of call for individual offers and requests, and it was suggested that any ongoing schemes to support residents could be channeled via Volunteer Cornwall.

Cornwall Council has information about how its services are being managed during the coronavirus outbreak on its website, and any questions should be directed to [email protected]