A new emergency support line was launched today in Cumbria for vulnerable people needing urgent help during the coronavirus crisis.
The Freephone number – 0800 783 1966 – set up by the county council and partners is for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of COVID-19 and who do not have support available from friends, family or neighbours. They include people over 70, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions who should be staying at home.
The majority of these people will already be receiving support with shopping or collecting medicines from personal contacts or local voluntary groups such as Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership (KCERP) but others with no alternative will now be able to call the Freephone number to request help, including home deliveries.
The telephone service will operate Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm and weekends 10am-2pm. People can also email requests for help to [email protected] . The service will accept referrals from the public who may be concerned about people in their community. Further details are online at Cumbria.gov.uk
Cumbria County Council has worked with district councils, Cumbria CVS, Cumbria Community Foundation, community and voluntary sector, private sector and military to establish these new arrangements. Every area is coordinating a supply of essential food, medicines and supplies which can only be accessed via the emergency helpline or email. Requests received will then be matched with local support and supplies being offered by community groups, volunteers, councils and businesses.
Cumbria is already seeing widespread community and voluntary sector support for the response to COVID-19 and informal support, including neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and community Facebook groups. This is alongside existing community emergency planning groups, such as KCERP, local churches and voluntary sector organisations.
Cllr Deborah Earl, the county council’s cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “We want to reassure the public that we are ready to provide support to our most vulnerable residents who may not have friends or family available to help them.”
Carolyn Otley, chair of Cumbria CVS’s community resilience group, added: “It’s been reassuring to see there is already widespread community and voluntary sector support for the response to COVID-19 across Cumbria. We all must continue to work together to help those who are isolated or at high risk.”
For up to date information on COVID-19 in your area, go to cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/communities.asp
