51Âþ»­

51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) volunteers have responded to a call to combat the threat of coronavirus and the local lockdown of our city.

Leicester City Council is co-ordinating teams of people who will go door to door in parts of the city distributing information about the importance of testing as well as giving out home testing kits.

Mobile testing sites have been set up in Victoria Park, Leicester

Volunteers from a series of organisations, including 51Âþ»­, are working together to support the city after Leicester became the first area to go back into lockdown following a spike in cases in the community. This week Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the city, as well as Oadby and Wigston, would remain subject to travel bans and other restrictions until August 1.

The work is designed to help bring down the infection rate of Covid-19 in the city and stopping the virus spreading.

Staff and students who are living within the lockdown area have volunteered to be part of the programme. Many are fluent in other languages such as Gujarati, Hindi, Arabic and Punjabi. All volunteers are trained and given guidance supported by NHS and city council staff.

Sunita Patel, public engagement manager at 51Âþ»­ Local, said: “From reaching out to our staff and students within the lockdown zone first thing on Monday morning, to Tuesday morning, more than 40 people have already come forward to assist the City Council in their efforts to share information and signpost testing facilities over the coming days and weeks.

“This is testament to the huge commitment and willingness to actively help from our students and staff to support the city through this challenging time.

“Volunteers are also coming forward to offer their time to help overcome some of the language barriers which may prevent information being disseminated effectively at this crucial time, and 51Âþ»­’s diverse staff and student population are excellently placed to assist in this way. “

Anyone with symptoms is being asked to get tested. Mobile testing sites have been set up in Evington, Spinney Hill Park and Victoria Park. A permanent testing site is at Birstall park and ride. You can book a test

•    It’s not too late to volunteer. Staff and students who live in Leicester and the lockdown area can sign up by emailing local@dmu.ac.uk