Coronavirus: Phone befriending service is set up in Eastbourne

A telephone befriending service is being set up in Eastbourne to help those feeling isolated during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Eastbourne Volunteers and Helen Burton are behind the project to help anyone confined to their home and feeling isolated.

Helen, a Liberal Democrat councillor and the head of Eastbourne Volunteers said she will be screening potential friendly volunteers and match them up with people in the Eastbourne community – usually in the same area.

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The initiative hopes that anyone feeling lonely can use the service at least once a week.

Ms Burton said, “We are just trying to provide some positivity in a time that is going to be terrible for a lot of people. People want to do something to help others, which is fantastic.

“At the moment, it’s absolutely crisis time and it’s just a case of getting anyone who is isolated someone on the phone.

“It’s so heartwarming the amount of people who have been in contact with us saying “I want to help,’”.

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“It’s the Blitz spirit that people have been talking about. I think we are good in a crisis.

“I would like to think that at the end of this, society might shift a little bit and maybe it will get back to knowing your neighbours.”

If you, or anyone you know, would like to receive calls, or if you would like to volunteer to keep in phone contact with someone else, please email [email protected] for more information.

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