A Jesmond resident of over 30 years has set up a Facebook page encouraging people to pull together in light of the developing situation with COVID-19 .

The page, set up by Yvonne Wancke, has received over 150 followers in 24 hours and currently stands at 195 members, with a multitude of people offering their support and help.

“At first I wasn’t sure that we would get many people involved but I am blown away by the response so far,” said Wancke. “The plan is to organise in small areas, then support as needed, very locally.”

Within hours people were posting their support of the page, thanking Wancke and offering to help in anyway they can: from shopping and deliveries, to running errands or picking up other essentials.

Wancke has posted a survey asking for the contact details of anyone wanting to help. The plan is to organise support over the coming weeks and months, with volunteers completing errands, delivering food and providing emotional support to vulnerable people or those in self isolation.

“People are very positive and enthusiastic to get involved and support our neighbours,” Wancke said.

With plenty of speculation and uncertainty circulating around the corona virus, the page is one example of more and more communities coming together.

“I think it was from a feeling of actually wanting to do something,” said Wancke. “It is so easy to feel helpless at times like this but actually there are practical things that we can do to support our neighbours.”

You can join the page following this link.