Councillor Jane Roberts, the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye has been one of the driving forces behind the setting up of a new charity the Ross Community Development trust. Part of this has included creating the Good Neighbour Scheme.

This was almost ready to start operating before the news about coronavirus, social distancing and self-isolation began appearing. The scheme is being sped up and is almost ready to become operational but Cllr Roberts has told the Ross Gazette that as soon as they can take phone calls from members of the public they will give out the number.

Meanwhile she is still appealing for people to come forward to volunteer or to donate funding. This was the content of her Mayor’s column for the Gazette this week. Please note that the correct website address is www.rosscdtorg.uk

"Just as we did after the floods last month, people in Ross are coming forward to help those who are in difficulty because of the coronavirus epidemic. My Mayor’s project this year has been to develop a Good Neighbour scheme for Ross, so we already have a team of volunteers ready to help. This will not be to provide health care or personal care - this is the job of the professionals. But there are two ways that volunteers can assist.

"First, we need a team of people able to make daily phone calls from their homes to those in isolation and then fill out a simple internet form. In this way we can monitor welfare, respond if anyone needs help, and make referrals to the medical agencies if appropriate. This role is safe for anyone to do in their own home, even if they themselves are in isolation, provided they are well enough. This service will be available in the next few days.

"Second, we hope to set up a delivery service for grocery orders. Volunteers who are not in isolation or in any of the risk groups are needed for this service, which we hope to launch as soon as possible.

"If you can help us, please go to www.rosscdt.org.uk to sign up as a volunteer or to donate to help our work.