COMMUNITY efforts to ensure people of Clackmannan, Kennet and Forestmill are supported during the latest lockdown have been kickstarted.

Clackmannan Development Trust's sub working group Caring and Connected Clackmannan has jumped back into action to help those in need.

The group is a partnership made up of organisations including the local health centre, primary school, church, community council, police and councillor Kathleen Martin.

Members and its team of volunteers supported the local community during the first lockdown by offering services including welfare phone calls, fruit and veg parcels, shopping and prescription collection.

This time around, the group will be continuing to offer their Brucie's Buddies befriending phone calls to people who feel in need of a friend at this time and have partnered up with Befriending UK and will also be handing out free fruit and vegetables to individuals/families of low income.

In addition to these returning services, free weekly soup will be on offer as well as a scone delivery for those who are alone and housebound thanks to a link up with local bakery, Toni's.

A weekly online programme of entertainment has also been developed featuring a book club, trip down memory lane chat, knit and natter, quizzes and some stretching and wellness activities.

Lesley Shaw, Community Development Manager of CDT, said one of the biggest challenges facing residents was loneliness.

She added: "In the previous lockdown people were out making the most of the good weather out for walks or cycles or simply spending time in their garden chatting to neighbours but now in the winter with limited daylight and threat of snow and ice many of our more vulnerable residents are keeping in.

"We want to make sure that those who are vulnerable know there is still a community supporting them whether it be for a friendly chat, a fruit and veg parcel or some local entertainment connected with friends and neighbours in the community."

Buddy phone calls and fruit and veg parcels started on Monday while the online activities and soup and scone Friday will begin this Monday (January 18).

For more information, email Lesley at lshaw_cd@outlook.com or call 01259 219473.