HELP is being provided to more than 900 people every week as Ceredigion County Council has become the first county in Wales to receive approval to fully coordinate the shielding scheme locally during the coronavirus outbreak.

This Welsh Government initiative offers shielded residents the option to receive weekly food parcels if they do not have family or friends who can support them with shopping.

Although the scheme is now in its eighth week, since May 4, Ceredigion has been able to secure full ownership of the content and quality of the food parcels through a pilot scheme with Welsh Government.

The local scheme allows the council to ensure that the produce is supplied by local suppliers. This arrangement also allows parcels to be locally packed and delivered to communities by the council’s drivers.

One of the distribution centres is situated at Ysgol Bro Teifi, Llandysul.

This week, more than 900 parcels will be delivered across Ceredigion. Overall, to date, more than 3,700 food parcels have been delivered to Ceredigion shielded residents. This follows on from 3,000 calls made to residents by the council’s staff.

One shielded resident said: “Firstly I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with this scheme in Ceredigion. I am so immensely having not been able to leave the house for over two months.

“Last week’s food parcel far exceeded any expectations. The quality and variety of produce has clearly been carefully selected to ensure the health and wellbeing of us as shielded residents. I am very proud to call Ceredigion my home.”

For those who do not meet the criteria to shield, but require support with grocery or medication delivery, a list of options available can be found at ceredigion.gov.uk/Coronavirus.

The council is updating local resource lists three times a week, where people can be signposted to receive information on food deliveries and local community groups.