Nanny Biscuit volunteers help hundreds across North Wales throughout pandemic

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, concerns were raised for the elderly residents if the need to self-isolate arises.

James Hunt, founder of the Nanny Biscuit community project, set up a new community group, along with the other hard-working volunteers, to ensure the elderly and most vulnerable have what they need during this time of crisis.

One year on and over 100 volunteers have assisted with bespoke shopping for people in lockdown, emergency food packages, 1,450 Christmas dinners to the vulnerable, four outdoor care home concerts, birthday cards and presents to care home residents and organising the Grand Week in Wales.

The team also delivered 30,000 meals in collaboration with MoneySupermarket.

Over 450 people have also benefitted from the phone buddy system, which allowed people to call up a volunteer when they were feeling alone and isolated.

James Hunt told the Leader that it has been an emotional rollercoaster.

He said: "There's been a lot of highs and lows but the biggest thing for me is seeing the community come together and help along the way.

"We also organised the Grand Week in Wales to raise money to go back into helping the community and it's been a massive success."

James said the phone service will continue as will the emergency food packages after setting up their own food warehouse in Deeside.

He said: "Our country needed it, they needed us. Without a doubt there was a demand.

"We were the first ones to take action around here and it was imperative. When lockdown happened, people needed to band together and help those in need and that's exactly what we did.

"I postponed the launch of my business so we could focus on this and it's gone from strength the strength.

"We've had case studies done on us because of how we got everything organised so quickly. We had to safeguard everything straight away, complete safety training and checks because the people we were dealing with were vulnerable."