STAFF from Dorset’s Community Payback Team were instrumental in getting 29 tonnes of food to those in need during lockdown.

Working with various foodbanks, including the one out of Parkstone United Reformed Church, team members worked every day to support those in need through the pandemic.

The team would normally be supervising low and medium risk offenders, but this kind of work was unable to go ahead throughout lockdown.

Julie Deller, manager of Community Payback Dorset, said: “|I manage the Community Payback Team in Dorset and whilst we have not been able to work with any service users during the lockdown, our staff have been kept busy every day, supporting the local charities, food banks and councils.

“The Parkstone United Reformed Church food bank being a prime example of the work they have carried out.

“Our staff and supervisors have driven to Southampton to collect tonnes of food at a time to enable the food back to be kept well stocked and also assisted in the sorting at the food bank itself.

“It would be fair to say that almost all 29 tonnes of food have been collected and delivered by the Community Payback Team.”

Team members have also been down at Bournemouth’s seafront, helping with the clean-ups caused by the tens of thousands of visitors who swamped the area as lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Julie said: “This work was part of an initiative set up with Community Payback, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council and Vikki Slade.”

Food banks across the conurbation have experienced increases in the number of clients needing food parcels throughout the pandemic.

Some were forced to close to the public, because of the coronavirus restrictions, but these maintained services because of volunteers helping with deliveries.

Faithworks Wessex run five food banks in the Bournemouth area.

The charity’s chief executive officer Alistair Doxat-Purser, speaking earlier on in the pandemic, said: “Our volunteers have been amazing; some have stepped back because of health issues but those that are still working have been superb.

“It is so encouraging to see the community spirit.

“We encourage people to continue donating food to food boxes at supermarkets and we urge that foodbanks are there as a last resort and we will do our best to help.”