Teignbridge District Council - new coronavirus hotline for vulnerable people (15.4.20)
14 April 2020
Local hotline launched to support vulnerable people
Today (Tuesday 14 April) we have launched a hotline service for vulnerable people who might otherwise fall through the net as the Coronavirus lockdown continues. Our Teignbridge Community Support Hotline will be a back-up to the support operation already in place, which includes food parcel deliveries co-ordinated by central and local government, NHS responders checking in on patients, plus local community and voluntary sector groups providing care, advice and support.
Get in touch
Our hotline service will enable anyone not so far on the radar of the help network to make helpers aware of their needs. This will be especially important for people who are elderly or disabled and unable to leave their home, and who need help.
- Our hotline number is: 01626 215512 and will be answered 9am – 5pm on weekdays (excluding bank holidays)
- The email address is: coronavirus.support@teignbridge.gov.uk
Contact details will be printed in a leaflet to be distributed shortly by CVS and other volunteer groups to people who may not be able to access the Internet.
We are working with other public bodies and the voluntary sector to support local people who need help during the Coronavirus COVID-19 emergency.
Providing vital services to our most vulnerable residents
Teignbridge leader Cllr Gordon Hook quoted the example of an elderly man living alone in an isolated rural village who called and spoke to our Food Hub Co-ordinator: “He said he had no food in the cupboard and had not eaten for two days. We took his address and one of our staff members took a food parcel from our delivery centre straight round to his home, so he had provisions within two hours. He is now on our radar. “We are working hard to maintain all essential services, as well as playing a full part in the combined local government partnership to deliver extra support for businesses and our most vulnerable citizens.“I want to thank all the wonderful staff at Teignbridge who have shown courage and flexibility in responding to the many challenges posed by the impact of COVID-19, many of them above and beyond the call of duty”.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the outstanding commitment being shown by so many at this uniquely challenging time.”
The number of people listed on Our database who need weekly food parcel deliveries is growing steadily as staff work with Devon County Council and the Government to compile lists of “Extremely Vulnerable” individuals and households currently under lockdown.
Dietary needs
Recipients and their families are reminded that our staff will be carrying ID, driving branded vans and will take parcels to the doorstep, where they will observe social distancing guidance. They will not ask for payment or any financial details – but they WILL ask people if they have any special dietary needs or may require other assistance.
Our staff are able to source a limited range of ‘free from’ products at local food stores for delivery to those with special dietary needs.
We have a small team working to help these two groups and are now trying to identify people who may need assistance because of mobility problems or other disabilities that restrict their ability to go shopping.
Some have already been in touch by phone and we are ramping up our efforts to identify other individuals or households who need help. We will continue to work with local voluntary organisations and food banks who have been giving vital support both before and since the start of the COVID-19 emergency.