We want to introduce you to some of the amazing people around Andover that are giving up their time, using their skills and helping others.
Meet Melissa Phillips… she’s one of the volunteers at the Andover Isolation Help Group.
Fun-loving Melissa is usually an area sales manager for one of those companies you’ve never heard of that helps keep volumes of business waste down to a minimum.
She had already started helping her neighbours out with shopping when over-70s were asked to stay at home. But when the Andover Isolation Help Group started earlier last month, she immediately signed up. “The creation of this group is perfect for people at risk”, she told 95.9FM Andover Radio last week.
“Friends and family were already isolating so I started doing a thing on Facebook to help people, then signed up for the what was the ‘Self Isolation Help Group’.
“It was nice to do something really simple like get Hi-Vis jackets sorted for the group,” she added.
Her daily routine includes going to Boots the Chemist on Charlton Road each afternoon and she normally collects five or six prescriptions each time and then goes on to distribute them.
The 37 year old (“shhhh, don’t tell anyone”) is humbled by some of the great comments people have made to her. “A lady today said I was her ‘hero’ which to be honest is ‘a bit cringe’ but it’s great to know that we are making a real, actual difference in people’s lives”.
Giving advice to anyone who is home alone and worrying, Melissa says, “Don’t be on your own. You don’t have to be on your own. There’s lots of support out there. Anyone who need helps should look just the group up and see what’s available to you.”
Melissa concludes, “It’s the people who go this off the ground who are the real heroes. They keep me organised! The Group works brilliantly and the volunteers are working all the hours they possibly can.
“They are amazing”.
Melissa works at the Andover Isolation Help Group. Their number is 01264 748946
Support Melissa and the work of the Andover Isolation Help Group by visiting their GoFundMe page here.
