A COMMUNITY project set up to help feed needy people during the lockdown is expecting another rise in cases.

SHINE (Support, Help in Nourishing Everyone) volunteer Carol Bell's comments come as scientists propose another two week national lockdown and the ending of the furlough scheme.

The volunteer said: “SHINE had actually been set up right at the beginning of lockdown purely to deal with food needs.

“It’s not something that was going to be short-lived, it's about how we can help people and it's moved into something that is longer term.

“We’ve been during this for seven months and I would say we are definitely anticipating the need to rise, especially as we come off furlough and people lose their jobs and need to put the food on the table."

The project was started by the Brampton Area Action Group, which runs services like a telephone help desk, to ensure residents in need of help get it quickly

Working with other local organisations, SHINE initially focused on getting food parcels and meals to those in need in Brampton and the surrounding area - but its role grew when it was realised there was isolated people in rural villages and hamlets cut off from shops and without internet connection to order food.

To meet the anticipated need the group is after new volunteers.

Carol said: "We are always on the lookout for more volunteers and many who volunteer are isolated themselves, it allows them to feel good, if they take part in things like being a 'phone buddy'."

For information, or to volunteer, call the helpdesk on 01697 927005.