When the coronavirus outbreak began our world suddenly became a lot smaller. For some the internet has been a lifeline, enabling people to stay in touch with loved ones living a few streets away or halfway across the country.
But many of those shielding from the deadly virus are not as digitally connected, and are struggling to cope without human contact, or even a friendly word. “I don’t think anything beats a conversation with an actual person,” says Deborah Fuller, one of around 40 Manchester council employees redeployed to staff the city’s community coronavirus helpline. “You’re not having to wait in a digital queue receiving information electronically, instead you can talk to someone who can explain what is going on and get a human