THE coronavirus has been declared the biggest public health emergency in a generation by our Prime Minister, and many people are understandably concerned for a whole host of reasons whether physical, mental or economic.

But among the doom and gloom, there have been many uplifting stories coming out and in many ways people are being brought together - even if they cannot be in the same room.

In Bridgwater, Musgrove Park Hospital A&E worker Kirstie Sutton was seeing first hand the pressures the hospital was facing.

She decided it would be good for people in the Bridgwater area to be able to communicate coronavirus concerns and help each other where possible, helping reduce pressure on the strained NHS resources.

From there the Coronavirus Community Help Bridgwater (CCHB) Facebook group was born, with volunteers Daniel Ball and Simon Bale soon getting involved to help as administrators.

The group has proved a popular point of contact for information sharing, and already has more than 2,000 members.

Daniel and Kirstie say the purpose of the site is to act as a resource for information-sharing during the Covid-19 crisis.

Simon Bale, who is also a volunteer at Bridgwater Foodbank, is coordinating 'Self-Isolation Help Forms' being used elsewhere for people to complete and submit if they need help while self-isolating.

Mr Bale is aiming to compile a database of volunteers willing to help out in the coming weeks.

A meeting was held at The Hub in Angel Place, Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (March 18) with administrators of the Facebook group representatives from Bridgwater, Sedgemoor and Somerset councils attending alongside Village Agents and other volunteers.

It was agreed to look into setting up smaller 'neighbourhood groups' so that volunteers were helping others in their streets and blocks.

People should contact CCHB via the Facebook site, or email cchbridgwater@gmail.com.

Laura Giddins, the Sedgemoor coordinator of the Village Agents also offered their number for referrals as this will be staffed office hours via a triage system on 01823 331222.

Speaking on Wednesday, Daniel Ball said: "What started as one person in their room starting a Facebook group, grew really rapidly and within 72 hours we had close to 2,000 members.

"We've had a meeting today with councillors who are helping to steer us in the right direction to give support to Bridgwater.

"Early help we have seen includes people asking where they can buy the essentials they need - whether that is the availability of toilet roll or whatever, and someone can say that a certain shop is stocking it.

"It is amazing how many people have offered to help, whether that is individuals to organisations such as The Hub, a huge amount of people offering their services to support a Facebook group."

You can find the Community Coronavirus Support Bridgwater Facebook group by clicking here.

Similar groups are already up and running to in North Petherton and many other villages in the wider Bridgwater area.