Since its launch on 20 March, Gloucestershire's community help hub  has supported vulnerable people with 3,279 requests for help, successfully connecting them with individuals and groups in their local area who could give them the help they needed.

As social distancing measures were put in place to delay the spread of COVID-19, council's across the county came together with police and health partners to create the hub to connect local people who need help, with individuals, groups and businesses who can provide them with the support they need.

The majority of requests for help have come from people who wanted to make sure they had enough food and other general supplies, but who didn't have local connections to turn to.

1,863 people have received support with shopping or food deliveries, a further 75 have had help preparing meals for the freezer and 56 people have been supported with simple recipes.

In addition, the hub has successfully met the following requests for help:

• Walking my dog - 54
• Picking up a prescription - 849
• Checking if any of my planned appointments have been cancelled before I travel - 42
• Putting out the bins - 114
• Phoning, Skyping of facetiming me to see a friendly face - 201
• Taking in a parcel - 25

The response from the local community has been fantastic with more than 3000 offers of support from individuals and businesses alike who have been donating their time and skills. Local shops have been taking orders and payments over the phone to make it easier for volunteers, and arranging special deliveries free of charge to those in need.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "It's essential that we protect the most vulnerable in our communities and enable them to stay safe at home. We're incredibly proud of how our county is pulling together in the face of this national crisis and we will ensure this continues.

"I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has offered their support via the community help hub, by working together we can make sure everyone has the support they need."

For more information, please visit Gloucestershire County Council's website and go to the community help hub page.