Citylife Line praised by those who contacted coronavirus support service

Many have been unable to purchase food as the pandemic has cost them their livelihoods, while the most vulnerable residents who the government told to shield from the virus have been confined to their homes, unable to access basic provisions for themselves. 

Here, we hear from two residents who reached out the Citylife Line to get help with their lives in lockdown. 

Jean Whitfield, 56, of Throckley 

Mrs Whitfield lives in Throckley with her husband Ronald and son Joseph. As a result of her health problems, when lockdown was introduced, Jean and her family were unable to leave their home having been identified by the government as needing to shield from coronavirus. 

That meant beloved dogs Simba, a miniature Jack Russell; and Narla, a Jack Chi, had nobody to take them out. 

“I got a letter from the government to say I was classed as vulnerable with my health problems. I didn’t know I could get help with dog walking and it was really stressing us out because we couldn’t leave the house. 

“Even though I can’t walk I normally take the dogs out one a time on my scooter, but now they are going out together thanks to volunteers we found through CityLife Line.” 

Mrs Whitfield and her family have also received food parcels through Citylife Line, and she says the support they’ve received has been a big help as to how they’ve coped with the pandemic. 

“My husband has been petrified because if I was to catch the virus that would be it, so this has made a huge difference and it’s made things a lot less stressful for us. 

“It’s nice that there’s so many people wanting to volunteer at the moment, it’s actually quite overwhelming. 

“Of course at first you’re a bit nervous about accepting the help but the volunteers have been checked out, and the dog walkers have become quite attached to my dogs now.”