Coquetdale's volunteer shoppers helping those stuck at home during lockdown

Volunteers line up, two metres apart, after fitting latex gloves and coating them with hand-sanitizer.

Vikki Ewen organises the shopping lists, puts them into numbered bags. Confidentiality is key.

Each volunteer then goes into the Co-op and chooses the items on their list.

At the checkout, Lesley Leeson works with Co-op staff to help pack the shopping; bags are then put into one of the vans which deliver the shopping to the people stuck at home.

There are four drivers and four assistants; volunteers from UCCT, Suttons, and Guthersons’ Taxis.

Once one person’s shopping is completed, the volunteer applies more hand-sanitizer, and does the next list.

There are almost 100 people who rely on this service.

Northumberland Country Council facilitates the payment of the purchases, and Coun Steven Bridgett is on hand to ensure there are no financial issues.

The county council then bills the residents afterwards.

Meanwhile Steph, from the Vale Café, kindly supplies the volunteers with a hot drink.

I ask people why they volunteer.

David Dick, assistant manager at RAFA, tells me: “I am used to volunteering – it is my way of life! Also, I work everyday with vulnerable, elderly people, it is important that we protect them.”

“What is in it for you?” I ask Aifionn Evans: “It is a lot of fun,” she laughs. “It is also a chance for a chat. We are in a really privileged position.

“My children are older, my husband works at home, so I am happy to give up a few hours each week.”

Louise Lewis adds: “Lesley makes it such fun with different ideas for costumes each week.

“We have had ‘Frock It Friday’, where we all wore dresses, including some of the men! For VE Day there was a 40s theme. Last Friday it was ‘Crazy Hair Day’.”

As no one has been to the hairdressers for so long, I guess this was an obvious choice.