A FRONTLINE community support organisation has delivered more than 300 boxes of essential supplies and picked up almost 600 prescriptions for people in need during the coronavirus crisis.

Between March and the end of July, Compassionate Inverclyde provided vital assistance to people in hospital and those who were lonely and isolated at home.

The team - some of whom were based at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, with others working out in the community - rushed to the aid of people who were struggling.

They delivered 327 isolation boxes, picked up and delivered 513 prescriptions, supplied 197 back-home from hospital boxes, distributed 900 sets of pyjamas and ensured 596 toiletry items made their way to people who needed them.

The dedicated volunteers also delivered 238 Teles and 419 packets of biscuits.

Compassionate Inverclyde programme leader Alison Bunce said the project proved vital for people who were finding it hard to deal with the 'new normal' brought by the pandemic.

She said: "We had to think about how we best met the needs of the community that had changed in a heartbeat.

"As we were already doing the back home boxes, we had an instant supply of food that we could use to support people who lived on their own.

"We weren't able to go into houses, so we were leaving supplies on the doorstep.

"People were so grateful, it was a lifeline for them.

"It demonstrated exactly what Compassionate Inverclyde is about - promoting social connection and reducing isolation and loneliness."

The organisation - which is supported by Ardgowan Hospice and Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership - continued with its back home box project during lockdown.

But as there were less hospital discharges at the height of the crisis, the number given out was significantly less than the isolation box total.

Alison says the dedication of the team was at the heart of the success of the project.

She added: "I couldn't have done it without the team."

Volunteers Linzi and Muriel Searl and Doris Woods led the way in organising supplies at the height of the pandemic.

The whole team felt privileged to be in a position to provide crucial assistance to individuals right across the community.

Linzi said: "We called ourselves the Lockdown Girls.

"We were needed by the community and were constantly on the go five days a week.

"Being able to help in this way was fantastic."

--

Left to right are Doris Woods, Alison Bunce, Linzi Searl, Muriel Searl and Mary Middleton.