A CHURCHMAN predicts that poverty and poor mental health triggered by the pandemic is a 'time bomb' waiting to go off in Inverclyde.

Salvation Army Lieutenant Ian Arthur, who is based in Port Glasgow, fears the long-term impact of lockdown and job loss is still to be felt.

He believes organised assistance is going to be required long into the future once the immediate coronavirus crisis finally eases.

Ian said: "The first lockdown was like getting a call about a fire at 3am in the morning - it was all hands on deck.

"But with the second lockdown all the adrenaline has worn off.

"It's been a bit more difficult.

"It's like a time bomb waiting to go off.

"I feel as the situation is evolving and that the focus on people's health and wellbeing is going to be more important.

"Instead of a short sharp response, we will need to look ahead and be more strategic."

Ian runs a Friday drop-in offering free food and says there is still a need for everyday basics.

He said: "We had 12 families here the other day and 14 families the week before.

"The fact that food shares are operating across Inverclyde and the foodbank shows there is a need.

"People have lost their jobs, been on furlough in an area where there was a problem already and perhaps now can't rely on family and friends.

"We are getting people of all ages coming in."

Ian says the Salvation Army has been determined to offer practical and spiritual support during these extraordinary times.

The organisation has had to adapt to support the local community and Ian feels they have made valuable inroads fostering relationships with town centre residents living in the likes of Fore Street, John Wood Street, Shore Street and King Street.

He said: "There a nice community feeling with more people popping in.

"When I was appointed I wasn't appointed to the Salvation Army, I was appointed to the community of Port Glasgow."

The SA services have also gone online, with one Sunday worship attracting 2,000 viewers and lots of new faces.

Ian said: "There are people who are engaging on the fringe of the Salvation Army family who have never come here on a Sunday."