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Niton Community Response Volunteers Prepare For Action

A community organisation based in Niton - formed in response to the coronavirus lockdown - is once again preparing to help residents in need in the South Wight.

Crab Niton, an acronym for Community Response and Backup was formed in mid-March, and has grown from a small number of core volunteers to a team of almost 100 people.

It provides key services to residents in need such as prescription collection, patient transport, welfare visits, mental health support, and support for local businesses.

The core management team formed of Will Thurbin, Jon Boileau-Goad, John Stotesbury, Eleanor Bowen, Martin Ward, and Vickie Ford established an operations room in the community library and a helpline which became active on 25th March only two days after the UK Government announced the lockdown measures.

In total to date, 565 tasks have been completed for the community, with 314 prescription deliveries, 85 food deliveries, 31 minibus journeys included in the figure.

With the furlough scheme ending and coronavirus case numbers rising once more - with local lockdowns in place in areas of the country - Crab Niton are once again pooling their resources should they be needed.

The 'Crab Shack Community Share Point', which holds food donations along with seed and plant swaps, is just one of the groups activities that are set to continue when measures are completely lifted, along with support for local businesses.

Speaking on behalf of Crab Niton, John Boileau said:

"What we as core crab are doing now is looking at when and if we need to kick off again – and how we pool our volunteers to get them on standby. 

"Going forward, we will change shape, morph, and twist to provide whatever the people in the area need.

"It has been very successful up until now, and we’re sure it will be should it need to be in the future.

"The villagers and volunteers should take a massive amount of credit, it has been quite amazing, and everyone needs a pat on the back for the work they have done and how they have pulled together."

If you'd like to get involved with Crab Niton, or need help, you can find more details on its website.

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