A BROMSGROVE refugee has been serving the community by shopping, collecting prescriptions and providing a listening ear to the elderly.

These are just some of the ways Maz Salmou has been helping the people of Worcestershire.

Maz Salmou has dedicated his free time to support vulnerable people during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The refugee was a television reporter in Syria, and moved to Bromsgrove in September 2018 thanks to Worcestershire County Council’s Syrian Resettlement Programme.

He said: “When coronavirus broke out, I signed up to volunteer with the Bromsgrove Community Support Group.

“This group was developed to provide essential help to vulnerable people and those in need in Bromsgrove.

“I help the elderly, vulnerable and those who are shielding by doing their shopping for them, delivering their prescriptions and even speaking to people on the phone when they need someone to listen to them. My self-declared mission is collecting prescriptions and dropping them off to people by putting them on their porches and door steps.

“I really have a great desire to help people, you have to make your statement in difficult times and support others as best as you can.

“Coming to the UK gave me safety when I really needed it, so this is my way of paying it back. I dedicate myself to helping others because I have been helped so much moving here from Syria.”

Throughout the county, members of the public have come together to support one another during the pandemic. Worcestershire County Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities said: “It’s brilliant to hear stories such as this one. It’s vital that communities come together to support one another. Maz and the other volunteers in Bromsgrove are doing simple tasks that make a massive difference to vulnerable people in the community.”