A HARD-WORKING team of volunteers at a Barrhead community hub have made thousands of face coverings to help keep people safe during the coronavirus crisis. 

The impressive effort at the Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire (VAER) base in Kelburn Street has been supported by a range of organisations, including the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, the Include Me 2 Club, East Renfrewshire Council and the Neilston Development Trust (NDT).

More than 5,000 face coverings have been produced and then sold for 50p each.

Keeping the price low has been an important way to support cash-strapped residents who have struggled to pay for face coverings at a time when the coronavirus crisis has already put additional strain on their income.

Alan Campbell, of VAER, is full of praise for all those involved in the project.

He told the Barrhead News: “It has been a big undertaking, with people really going out of their way to help.

“For those making the masks, it has been such a massive effort.”

Lockdown restrictions meant that much of the community work normally carried out by VAER was halted but the group and its partners have made sure they have still been able to support local people.

Bags of shopping, as well as prescriptions, have been delivered to those in isolation.

Volunteers have also operated a ‘wellbeing hotline’ for those who need advice or a friendly voice to talk to.

Meanwhile, members of NDT have been delivering hot meals to those who have been unable to get out and about.

Laura Carswell, NDT outreach manager, said: “What we are doing has been really appreciated. It has been a hard time and it is not over yet but everyone has really come together to respond and work well.”

For details about the support on offer from VAER, visit www.facebook.com/volacter.