AN ONLINE call centre serving Yoker, Garscadden and Scotstounhill has been launched to help people access vital information during the coronavirus crisis.

Set up by councillors Eva Murray and Michael Cullen, the community hub will help members of the community access debt and money advice, mental health services and food packages.

So far 85 people have volunteered to take part in the project, which will is based at the Yoker Resource Centre, while adhering to the social distancing rules.

There will be no more than five or seven volunteers on at a time, who will signpost people to the relevant services if they can’t help.

Councillor Michael Cullen said: “We weren’t sure when the schools would close or when the country would go into lockdown and it all happened a lot quicker than we were expecting.

“They may have a problem about debt or money concerns where we would then make an appointment with Drumchapel’s Citizen’s Advice for a call back.

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“Through this service we may be able to identify someone who lives nearby who check in on a vulnerable person by phone and establish some contact there.”

Because of lockdown the centre will not be open to the public and has been deep cleaned so volunteers can still operate from it. Hand sanitiser will also be provided.

Councillor Eva Murray added: “We saw the brilliant work being done by various organisations across the ward but realised for it to work at its best there needed to be coordination.

“That’s when the idea for the G13/G14 Hub came about. We have almost 100 volunteers ready to help their neighbours, answer phone calls and deliver essentials to those who may need it. We will deliver meals/groceries, call older people in the area for a catch up and provide money/debt advice or mental health support.

“I’ve never been more proud of the communities I represent, the way they have responded to this crisis has been phenomenal and I just want to say a huge thank you to them.”

To get in touch with the hub visit yokercommunityaid@gmail.com or phone 0141 952 6485.