Community helpline for the vulnerable
Wexford County Council is taking the lead in bring local organisations together to help elderly and vulnerable people during Covid-19, with a call centre and helpline available since Monday.
At the instigation of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, a Community Response Forum has been established in each county, co-ordinated by the local authority.
A call centre has been established by the County Council to help at-risk members of the public receive non-emergency and non-medical support and advice during the current health emergency.
The Community Response Forum includes over a dozen agencies and organisations who will ensure that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can receive deliveries of groceries, medicine and fuels.
The Forum comprises Wexford County Council, Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, Wexford GAA, Wexford IFA, Wexford Community Welfare Service, An Post, Tusla,Wexford Local Development, Red Cross, Civil Defence, Wexford Public Participation Network, Wexford Age Friendly Network, Local Link Wexford, Wexford Citizens’ Information. ALONE, representatives of the migrant community and representatives of religious organisations.
The County Council will ensure that the wide range of groups assisting those in need, will work in a targeted way, making the best use of resources to assist vulnerable people with their daily needs at this unprecedented time, according to a spokesman.
Assistance can include collecting medication, food shopping and fuel or providing social support and contact, to ease the loneliness of people self-isolating.
County Council Chief Executive, Tom Enright said there are a number of agencies currently doing excellent work in delivering care to older and vulnerable people in the community.
‘ These groups are working independently of each other and our role in Wexford County Council is to provide a targeted, integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of these much needed services to our more vulnerable citizens across the county during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘ This public health crisis has changed life for so many, and we are there to help with that change. Our own staff, whose day jobs have changed due to this crisis, will be a key resource in the management and operation of the community support programme along with our many partner agencies/groups from all across the county.’
The initiative came into effect yesterday (Monday) with the County Council providing a Community Support Call Centre Helpline on 053 91 96000. The lines are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. An information leaflet is being distributed to vulnerable households.