VULNERABLE residents currently ‘shielded’ from Covid-19 say they have been “overwhelmed” by the support received from Warwickshire County Council (WCC).
Regular befriending telephone calls to contactless doorstep deliveries of books are just two of the special services developed for self-isolating residents.
Appreciating many residents would find it difficult to be on their own at home for such a long time, and with mobile libraries not running, the council has adapted its libraries service.
In April, staff began phoning residents who are alone at this time to ask whether they would be interested in the special services – and soon after began making doorstep deliveries and talking regularly on the phone to hundreds of grateful individuals.
“You are doing a grand job and I really appreciate everything that is being done for people who are self-isolating”, said one resident who signed up for the befriending calls and the library home delivery service.
Another said they were “absolutely thrilled” to hear from council staff, commenting “what a great service you are offering.”
And a resident told staff over the phone: “I’m very grateful to know that if anything happens to my son, who is supporting me at the moment, that there is back up and that I can call for help.”
WCC customer spokeswoman Coun Kam Kaur was delighted to hear how valuable the support was proving to vulnerable residents.
She said: “The whole offer from our libraries service is about supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents – and the comments that we have received from people across the county that are receiving these special services speak for themselves.
“It’s wonderful to hear the messages of appreciation for our county council staff, who themselves have had to quickly adapt by working from home or doing a different job role to usual, to meet the needs of our communities in Warwickshire.
“It’s so important that vulnerable individuals continue to protect themselves at home and by offering these services we hope that we are making this time – often without support from anyone else – easier to cope with and more enjoyable.”
Anyone are interested in receiving any of these services, or knows someone who might be, can email [email protected] or call 0300 555 8171 and leave a message.
