Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Advertiser, and the vital local news service we provide to Helensburgh and Lomond, is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Advertiser in whatever way you can – by paying just 95p for a copy of the paper, when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.

Thanks – and stay safe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Do you need help with your shopping or to collect a prescription? Or could you help someone who does?

Local befriending charity Visiting Friends is now coordinating a temporary volunteer shopping and collection service in Helensburgh and Lomond.

Manager Jayne Burnett said: "We are not looking to replace the wonderful volunteering that is currently happening between friends and neighbours, but it’s a wee bit different volunteering to help someone you don’t know.

"For the safety of both volunteer and client we think this is best done via an existing organisation.

LATEST HEADLINES: Helensburgh groups offered help in applying to £20m 'third sector' assistance fund

"All our volunteers will have been checked by us and have Visiting Friends identification.”

The charity is also backing an initiative, co-ordinated by the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, seeking people to volunteer as 'telephone befrienders' by calling up elderly or vulnerable residents for a chat while they are in isolation.

The Visiting Friends initiative was set up in Helensburgh in 2013, and was established as a registered charity in November 2018.

READ MORE: New dawn for Helensburgh's volunteer befriending scheme

Jayne added: “Everyone is being fantastic at checking up on their friends and neighbours, however the situation is changing all the time and we are getting reports of people who are normally very independent, struggling.

"They sometimes don’t like to ask for help – so don’t be afraid to check in on them!”

If you would like more information on volunteering to shop or become a telephone befriender, or know someone who needs these services then please contact Visiting Friends on 07396 316503 or by emailing jayne@visitingfriends.org.

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond here