Reading East MP Matt Rodda calls on the community to put on a united front against coronavirus. He writes:

THE Covid-19 outbreak is an unprecedented challenge; however, our community is working together to help one another and to support those who are most vulnerable.

If you would like to volunteer and offer your help to a charity or other voluntary sector organisation please contact Reading Voluntary Action as they are co-ordinating offers of help. Please reach out to them on their website rva.org.uk if you think you may be able to help.

We are asking people to sign-up now to join a list of Response Volunteers who can be called upon to support the activities of local organisations in their response to the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak as required.

It is difficult to predict what help might be required but it may involve supporting with:

  • Delivering food supplies
  • Picking up prescriptions
  • Telephoning isolated vulnerable people to check on their wellbeing

The seriousness of this outbreak cannot be played down. It demands a response that understands the devastating effect coronavirus has already had on households and businesses from our community.

I would like to thank everyone who is working hard to tackle the outbreak, both in the NHS and other public services and all those who have volunteered to help.

I am in close contact with Public Health England and Reading Borough Council and will continue to monitor this situation closely and I and my office are calling on the government to make sure our community has the resources and systems in place to respond to this outbreak.

I will keep updating my website, Facebook and Twitter pages with advice and information from the Government, national and local organisations and charities. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me via mattroddampcasework@parliament.uk if you have any questions or queries that I can help you with.