The Isle of Wight Council has vowed to support the community’s most vulnerable residents after the government announced a new national lockdown to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
The lockdown comes into force on Thursday (5th November) for 4 weeks, until Wednesday 2nd December 2020.
The government has not arranged a shielding programme for this lockdown but is encouraging the clinically extremely vulnerable to stay at home as much as possible.
Council Leader Dave Stewart has said:
“If you fall within this group you will be receiving a letter from the NHS in the next few days giving you advice about what to do and how to register for services and support that enable you to remain self-dependent — such as arranging shopping deliveries, or providing help with your social and wellbeing needs.
“In addition, we’ll also be in touch in the coming days to check whether you have any support needs and how to contact us. But even if you are not on the national clinically extremely vulnerable list, the council will be there if you need us and have no other form of help over the month.”
The council’s helpline remains open for anyone that needs additional support and will revert back to a 7 day service. Call 01983 823600 between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 and 15:00 at weekends for support. You can also email [email protected].
This helpline is for anyone who needs help because of self-isolation, who is alone with no local network of friends, family or neighbours and needs support, or who feels vulnerable and may need assistance with:
• help to access pharmacy medication delivery services and healthcare needs;
• access to online shopping delivery services or small essential shopping requests;
• signposting to partner agencies for support with issues arising from isolation including welfare, finance, mental health, childcare issues, crisis advice and support or other caring responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Councillor Stewart said many of the amazing community hubs established during the first lockdown had already been in touch and were gearing themselves up for a second effort.
The council has also committed extra money to the ‘Help Through Crisis’ scheme which is already operating on the Island to provide crucial help to those Islanders struggling to afford food and other essentials during the pandemic.
The service is provided on the council’s behalf by Citizen’s Advice Isle of Wight.
Councillor Stewart added:
“I can only feel immense pride in being part of a community that rallies to these challenges with such energy and passion.
“While there is an awful lot for us all to contend with in the coming weeks, I am optimistic it will also help the Island take a huge step forward in controlling the virus and it might just be enough for us to be able to see our families and loved ones at Christmas once the lockdown is over.
“So, let’s work together and #keeptheIslandsafe.”
So they should be! Got enough gov handouts too do it.see if you lot can spend it in the right n needed areas yea?
don’t care about the able bodied people they are expecting to go out and do this work though do they. Where is their “get to stay at home on furlough” through this crisis.