A 64-YEAR-OLD woman from Whitecrook who is self-isolating said she felt too embarrassed to ask for help – and then felt ignored when she eventually did.

Pat Lennie is recovering from a chest infection and although she normally helps her 83-year-old neighbour, she is having to ask others for help to get messages and medicine.

And when she enquired about delivery from a pharmacy she was told to fork out a fiver or “put her coat on and come and collect it”.

Pat said: “I don’t like asking for a hand, I’m usually out getting my milk and bread and I pick it up for some of my neighbours. There are a lot of elderly around here who don’t get home support.

“I feel like the decisions have been taken out of my hands. I was told by my doctor if I didn’t stay home they would need to hospitalise me, otherwise I wouldn’t ask for help.”

She said her local councillor Danny Lennie picked up her prescription for her and some messages. Clydebank Health Centre also told her she would no longer need to worry about delivery charges.

Pat has received a letter from the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, identifying her as “high risk” and included the phone number to a helpline for people who struggle in isolation.

She phoned and was told she would receive a food parcel in seven days time, but she was given no information about what to expect in the parcel. And when she called the council to ask if there was a more localised support network, she was told she was not eligible as she was under 70.

Pat has one son, who lives in England, and her brother cannot help her as he lives with their mother and he is a bus driver.

Read more: Need for food banks increases in Clydebank amid coronavirus outbreak

Pat was also contacted by Centre 81, who are currently supporting the Whitecrook community with a food bank and shopping for vulnerable residents. A volunteer from the centre dropped off a donation of groceries to her and a few of the residents in Richmond Street who were also struggling.

John White, a member of Whitecrook Community Council who also works with Centre 81, told the Post: “We have come across quite a few who are in this situation, they don’t usually get support so now they are struggling with no real support at all.

“The issue is often that they are too proud, but we need them to know we are here and they just need to let us know they need help and we will do our very best.

“Whitecrook is a tight-knit community. We would hate to think there is anyone who isn’t getting the support.”

West Dunbartonshire Council has explained how they have now received a list from the UK Government of vulnerable residents. They will now contact people who are not already receiving care support and do not have family to rely on.

Since they were made aware of Pat’s situation by the Post, they have been in contact to arrange support for her.

Pat said: “Since I’ve spoke to the Post and to Centre 81, I’ve been given the number of a council worker who will lend a hand if I need it. I’m only glad I found it in myself to ask for help, but I know others who won’t and they are really struggling so hopefully they will now be offered it too.

“I’m really grateful for the people who have gave me a hand, it means a lot that there are good people in the community who offered to support me when I never even had a neighbour chap my door.”

Councillor Danny Lennie praised the efforts of council workers and added: “We all must do what we can to help our neighbours and those who are self isolating. Going shopping or picking up medication is just a small gesture, but is so important for those confined to the house in our community, especially the elderly.

“I have to give praise to the steering group at Centre 81 who are doing a magnificent job within the community, I am extremely proud of them all.”