In Glastonbury, the Coronavirus Volunteers are still in full swing, delivering shopping, prescriptions and helping residents with errands - and recently more people have become involved with helping to reduce loneliness in the community, which is one of the hidden symptoms of the pandemic.

Saffron, a 15-year-old volunteer, has been involved since November. She and her younger sisters have been creating postcards and cards purely for the purpose of smile sharing - they are then delivered to isolated residents by a volunteer.

One of the volunteers said they were so heart-warming to see and it was a true joy to deliver them.

Saffron said: "We wanted to do something to lift people's spirits and to show that there are better times ahead, some people have been having to shield for a year now and we know this has been particularly tough.

"We're glad that this small act of kindness has put a smile on people's faces."

After seeing a post in the Glastonbury Community - Volunteers and Support Facebook group about letter writing, a resident from Meare got in touch and said he had people who were interested to join in.

Together they wrote letters for Glastonbury residents, and someone made scones and shortbread biscuits. The day after they were delivered, a local lady got in touch to ask who they were from.

She was so excited to receive a random surprise and described it "as a really lovely, sweet letter". She said that she was looking forward to sitting down with her biscuits and writing her reply.

Some volunteers are also writing out cards just to say, "hello and happy spring".

If you are able to write a letter or would like a local penpal, then you can get in touch with the Glastonbury Community Volunteers via email on [email protected] by phone on 07912 074879.