A ‘SHIELDING Hub’ is working to protect vulnerable district residents.
A team from Warwick District Council has set up the hub to distribute weekly food boxes to residents on the government register and who are unable to leave their homes.
The team is among dozens of residents, voluntary and community services county-wide who are pulling together to support those in urgent need of support.
Working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and supported by the voluntary and community sectors, police and the military, the district council team has rapidly established a network to distribute essential items and co-ordinate wider support to clinically vulnerable people who are self-isolating.
Distribution of free food parcels containing essential items including milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cereal and tins is well underway in a community wide operation which is being led by the council’s head of cultural services Rose Winship and community safety manager Liz Young.
Some 25 council staff have now been deployed to sort and pack the boxes and make deliveries for the new service.
District council leader Andrew Day said: “These are unprecedented times and I am very pleased that this Council has been able to respond rapidly to this constantly evolving situation.
“Over the coming weeks the ‘Shielding Hub’ will provide a vital lifeline to the most vulnerable in our community.”
Anyone identified as extremely vulnerable and without access to existing support networks can call the dedicated support number 0800 4081447 for support and advice.
The Warwickshire local welfare scheme can also help people at times of unavoidable crisis when they have no other means of support. The scheme provides basic and essential help for food and energy. Click https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localwelfarescheme for details.
