The founder of a social enterprise in County Durham that works with vulnerable people has said she feels like the government has "abandoned" them as free Covid testing ends on Friday.
Rebecca McGarvie, who runs The Singing Elf across Durham and Sunderland, said people like herself with long-term health conditions are at risk of being "forgotten about". The Singing Elf works with people with chronic and underlying health conditions and disabilities as well people who have mental health conditions providing choir sessions and craft club activities.
She said testing is "vital" to ensure people feel comfortable and safe that they are not at risk. But she said now that free testing will be scrapped, many don't feel they can continue attending the various activities and projects on offer without any protection.
