Covid help group suspends its Facebook page as pandemic eases

Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, which has helped mobilise the town’s community spirit since the earliest days of the pandemic, has suspended its popular Facebook page.

But the two town councillors who have been helping to run the group since last October, say the good work will continue in the background.

The page has just over 1,000 members and attracted hundreds of hits a day as it posted up-to-date information on the Covid-19 situation and co-ordinated the efforts of an army of volunteers to help with such things as the delivery of food, prescriptions and newspapers to those self isolating.

Now the woman who started the page and the group whose name it bears has taken to social media to explain why she is placing the page in suspension.

Cat Meade, who juggled her full-time job at Wingetts estate agents while running the group with dedicated volunteers, says: “As we are slowly progressing forward we have agreed to suspend this page, I am hoping this will be my last post to you all, it will stay just in case, however be inactive. 

“The past 14 or so months have tried and tested us all, as individuals, families, businesses and the loss some have suffered. The overwhelming support Llangollen has benefited from its residents is outstanding, and I hope not to be forgotten.  

“An army of volunteers, businesses accommodating to home deliveries, services as and when needed, and the great team of admins on here to keep you all posted on developments. Far too many to mention as the post would need 6 pages to list all. 

“I personally would like to thank EVERY ONE of you for volunteering, supporting, to all those local businesses that have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our community. 

“I (and am sure the rest of you will agree) had no idea what length of support would be needed from March last year! We got through it together, as a community, looking out for one another. 

“There are still areas in need, Foodshare and the community I and others are still assisting with food and hot cooked meals, a big thank you to the Llangollen Inner Wheel ladies who are supporting weekly and if you can please assist with items to Llangollen Food Share which will be an ongoing service. 

“Again, thank you to you all, you are all amazing.”

Town mayor Councillor Austin Cheminais and his colleague Cllr John Palmer took over the main running of the coronavirus help group last autumn.

Cllr Cheminais said: “Our main contact is usually by phone. The majority of residents we’ve helped in the past now seem to have the support of neighbours, friends, relatives.

“John Palmer and I continue to maintain a data base of volunteers prepared to help others.

“We’ve largely wound down but have kept our list of volunteers and are still getting very occasional requests for help, usually shopping. The Rotary through Sheena Burrell are still collecting and delivering prescriptions.

“We will continue to be here if anyone who asks but as people are returning to work etc our group of volunteers is likely to shrink.

“In an  emergency we can help people with shopping and can arrange for regular contact for those who live alone or just need someone to talk to.”

* Contact details for the two councillors are:

Cllr Cheminais - chemshouts@gmail.com (07813 761766)

Cllr Palmer - palmerjc28@gmail.com