WE HAVE fantastically strong local support networks, but I want to make sure the whole community pulls together so those vulnerable residents stuck in their homes get all the support they need – whether supplies of food, medical advice or companionship over the phone.

I am grateful to all the local council leaders for coming together and we will let people know what help is going to be offered as soon as we can.

In last week’s Herald I said I would be organising a round-table discussion to hear the concerns of local business about the impact of coronavirus.

By the time most people read this, that will have happened – though as a telephone conference call rather than a normal meeting.

Like most people I am trying to minimise social contacts to play my part in slowing the spread of the virus.

A particular focus of that call will be the pressures on local pubs, bars and restaurants which will not be able to function over the coming few months and what measures can be put in place to support them.

But this week my focus of my column is different.

On Monday the government announced older people are being asked to reduce social contact as much as they possibly can, and that the most vulnerable people will be asked to self-isolate from this weekend – advice I wholeheartedly support.

I now want to make sure locally we are doing everything we can to help them get through the extremely difficult months that lie ahead.

So this week I have convened a coronavirus summit with all the local council leaders.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, will be attending alongside Waverley leader John Ward and the leaders of the three town councils.

In bringing everyone together, I want to ensure three things:

Firstly, that everyone advised to stay at home is able to get the food, medical supplies and provisions they need.

Secondly, that we find ways to deal with the risks of social isolation. I know friends in Italy pop round once a day with shopping for elderly relatives and have a daily conversation through the window or over a garden fence – far enough away to be able to stop the spread of the virus, but close enough for a conversation to stop people feeling isolated.

Thirdly, that anyone who gets into medical difficulties – whether coronavirus or other illnesses – is able to summon and get the help they need at a time when the NHS will be under enormous pressure.

As local MP I am continually astonished and delighted by the wonderful community spirit here in south-west Surrey.

Local initiatives such as the Herald’s Helping Hand campaign, voluntary organisations like Farnham Assist and Talking Newspapers, the work for people with dementia at places like the Hunter Centre, and events like the Christmas lunch I went to in Godalming put on by Churches Together show just how much effort we put into looking after our most vulnerable residents.

This time we have to be especially careful that any help we give does not put volunteers at risk.

But taking sensible precautions I have no doubt we can give the extra support needed in the testing times ahead – and as local MP, I want to play my part.