The Student Volunteer Army is up and running in the Southland region and wants the community to know that its volunteers are here to provide continued support through Alert Level 2. 

Since the Level 4 began, the SVA has been delivering groceries for people who aren't able to go to the shops themselves – whether this is because they're either over 65, have impacted physical or mental health or because they're an essential worker. 

This is part of a nationwide volunteer response launched by the SVA, however, volunteers in Southland are concerned that some people in the region aren't putting their hand up for help and are instead toughing it out alone. 

Grocery Lead Picker and second-year university student Helene O'Neill has been coordinating the volunteers in Invercargill since the Level 4 lockdown began and said she's not exactly sure why her team of volunteers haven't been overly busy with requests for help.

"I'm not sure if that's because people aren't aware that it's available or if it's because of the typical 'do it yourself' Southland attitude, so we're really trying to push that we are here to help," she said. 

Miss O'Neill’s volunteer team's main priority has been to deliver groceries to residents, but they have also been mowing the odd lawn here and there following requests from residents through Emergency Management Southland. 

The team picks up the shopping at their local New World store and then delivers the shopping, leaving it at a safe distance from the customer's door.

Miss O'Neill said the customers they'd had so far had been thrilled with the service and the opportunity to see a friendly face during this time of social isolation.

"We had a lot of people who are really grateful for us dropping things off, they've been very chatty too, they're just really happy to be talking to someone," she said. 

Tomorrow, the country will move into Alert Level 2, meaning people will have more freedom to move about and extend their bubbles and Miss O'Neill said it was now more important than ever that people in the community knew that there was help available. 

"During the lockdown, there have been a lot of families at home that have been able to help out, but as people start going back to work in levels 3 and 2, people don't have as much support as they did in level 4."

There are 27 SVA volunteers in Invercargill and 67 volunteers throughout Southland, so even if you live rurally, you still have access to the services.

"If you just give us a call, we can always figure out a plan.... we're working to make sure we are accessible to everyone [throughout the region]."

"We're trying to minimise as many barriers as possible between us and people that need us," Miss O'Neill said. 

If you'd like to access the services provided by the SVA; phone 0800 005 902 or book your shopping online at shop.sva.org.nz .

Some of the friendly faces volunteering their services in Southland as part of the Student Volunteer Army (clockwise from bottom left) Invercargill volunteer coordinator Helene O'Neill, Natalie Barlow, Jordan Reid, Peter McMillan and Tina Wei.