Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has paid tribute to the voluntary and community sector for its response in ensuring the most vulnerable are cared for during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bob said he was talking daily with representatives from the voluntary and community sector to find out what they are doing to help vulnerable people and to find out what support they need from the government.
Speaking today (Tuesday), the MP has said:
“The voluntary sector provides a really important role in making sure people are getting the help they need. The whole community has really come together – as we often see on the Island”.
It’s said that the Isle of Wight Council is establishing a list of vulnerable people who need help and Community Action IW are matching volunteers with organisations who need help to manage the demand.
Citizens Advice IW had also been working with the Council and are particularly focussed on helping those struggling with debt and employment issues arising from the current situation.
Bob says:
“I am thankful for all the work the voluntary and community sector is doing, including town and parish councils, and the proactive partnership approach they are taking to help Islanders. I will be volunteering myself to help out where I can.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Chief Executive of Age UK IW, Jo Dare, said:
“We are very much working in partnership with the IW Council and Community Action IW on a joined up response and we are currently restructuring our workforce so that we can be as responsive as possible.
“We are looking to provide support with things like welfare checks, shopping and pet care.”
Bob adds:
“I was assured by the government that a package of support for the voluntary sector is coming forward soon. I welcome this. The voluntary sector needs government support to continue their valuable work.”
Perhaps Bob would like to talk to the some of the staff at St Marys and ask if they have any PPE yet so they can do there jobs safely, as many do not, or are not even offered it when asked for. It’s great to have volunteers as well, but only as long as they have PPE too. We need assurance that hospital staff are protected as well.!!!!
so our MP is alive after all. Why did he not stop coach loads of people bring the virus over to the Island ?
I read yesterday of all the people who have written to him asking for his help in bringing them back to the Island from abroad. If he really wanted to help the Island, he would tell those people to stay where they are until it is safe for them to come back, not just bring more back here with possible, and most likely virus to spread to more people on this small island.
Plus heard on radio yesterday, a couple in Italy saying they wanted to renounce their Italian residency permits because they want to come to the UK for her to have her baby here. They are worried they might not be able to get here soon. Isn’t Italy one of the best places for health care? Why don’t they just stay there? It seems so selfish and entitled. If people want to go abroad for any reason, that is fine, but they should expect to stay there if something like this happens.
All the group’s mention are doling a fantastic job and I thank then from the bottom of my heart and pray that they remain safe despite the lack of the correct PPE but potentially how many extra cases are the Island teams having to deal with because of the failure to stop travel to the Island particularly by those who have the money to own second homes who see the Island as a safer place than their first homes in London.
Of course we need ferry service for food,fuel and emergency services but NOT for these people who should have stayed away.We have a lot of vulnerability people who live on the Island and need protecting and the availability of medical services.A good local MP should know this and take actions to protect the Island.