RESIDENTS from across Northwich have set up community groups to support those who are self-isolating.

According to government advice, those showing symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate for seven days.

Those living with someone displaying symptoms should self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started, as it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

This can leave many people without vital resources such as food, as well as causing loneliness to develop.

But to help those in need and to prevent the onset of loneliness from developing, groups are being formed across the town and surrounding areas.

The Winnington and Castle Good Neighbour Volunteers group was set up by community volunteers including Lee Siddall.

He said: “I run my own food business and I know the massive impact coronavirus has had on out local community.

“Our group aims to make sure that we are there for people who are self-isolating.

“We have a WhatsApp group of DBS checked volunteers with ID cards that can be called on to help where needed.

“It's a really good coordinated effort.

“We have a limited number of volunteers that are DBS checked at the moment, but we are currently putting any volunteers who do not have one through the DBS process in order to safeguard the vulnerable in our society.

“It is important to me that vulnerable people at home have total confidence in using our help to stop this virus from spreading and not be prey to scammers.

“If you are self-isolating in Winnington, Castle or Barnton and require help, please call 07394915097.”

Northwich Isolation Support Group is also helping people in the town and was formed by volunteers from existing community projects, including Northwich in Need, Cheshire Without Abuse, Save a Life Cheshire and Northwich Baby Bank.

Northwich in Need founder Daniel Pendlebury said: “In these unprecedented times, everyone is hitting hard times, and this is not going to go away overnight.

“We have launched this support group in order to try and ease the stresses of any further lockdown, and have enlisted the help of so many professionals to help on the group and support members.

“We are looking forward to the future and we will help and support where possible the most vulnerable in society.”

The group website adds: “Northwich is a remarkable town, full of equally as remarkable people.

"When we pull together, difficult situations such as the one the world is currently faced with are made that little bit more bearable.”

For more information on how you can help, donate or refer people, visit northwichisolationgroup.co.uk or email NiNisolation@gmail.com.