During lockdown an army of volunteers has been quietly undertaking essential everyday activities that have become impossible for those shielding from Covid-19. From delivering prescriptions to moving furniture and walking disabled dogs, the Royal Volunteer Service and Goodgym have been matching volunteers with beneficiaries in their local area. Guardian photographer Alicia Canter has spent the last month tagging along
Goodgym, a community of runners and cyclists from all over the UK, take on missions within their local area that combine getting fit with doing good. So far, during the pandemic, 19,000 of their volunteers have logged 37,906 good deeds, often working with local authorities and partners such as AgeUK and the British Red Cross, to deliver essential tasks. The Royal Volunteer Service has also been adapting to the pandemic, swapping in-person wellbeing visits to phone calls and ensuring that regular services such as the Enfield home library can continue to serve the community.
