Home delivery service provides lifeline for Clapham community during Covid-19 pandemic

The shop has remained open throughout, quickly establishing a local delivery service to provide groceries, newspapers and vital medicines along with a cheery smile and wave - at a safe distance - for those unable to leave home to visit the shop.

Many of the shop’s usual volunteers needed to stay at home and isolate. The whole village responded with new volunteers and young people at home coming forward filling the gaps at the shop, packing orders, and helping as delivery drivers.

Liz Mason, a volunteer since the beginning, said: "My husband and I have had to self-isolate so having an easy ordering and friendly delivery service is very much appreciated. I look forward to helping in the shop again when circumstances permit."

Shop manager Helen Rollinson said: "At our peak we made 16 deliveries a day. As the lockdown has eased, we are still providing a service to around 20 customers a week, some new to the shop. This is wonderful for our community and we will continue to provide this service for as long as is needed."

Harriet Naden, chair of the shop committee, said: "It’s been a challenging time, I’m proud of what we have all achieved together.

"We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back into the village over the summer."

Clapham Community Shop was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2019.

The shop is owned and run by the community, for the community. When the local shop and post office closed it was taken on by the community and is now run by volunteers.