LEADER working with local groups to help communities
AS measures to control the corona virus intensify, Local Development Company Sligo LEADER Partnership are endeavouring to find ways to continue to support communities and individuals across County Sligo and have put in a series of additional supports to assist those most in need. June Murphy Acting CEO of Sligo LEADER Partnership explained “Our aim is to make sure that no one in the community is being left to face the crises alone, we want to reassure people that may have to go into isolation or don’t have any other means of support, that we are here to help”.
Sligo LEADER Partnership have mobilised a team of staff throughout the county and are linking in community groups, agencies and other partners to deliver a support service to those most in need. Some of the key supports available include:
· Friendly Call service: Sligo LEADER Partnership will be linking in with the existing Moylough Tubbercurry service. The Friendly Call is a free phone call service for people living alone and is available to older people and anyone feeling lonely, isolated or vulnerable where clients can request a regular phone call from volunteers who call to check in, chat and generally see how people are doing. This service will also endeavour to link with local volunteers to provide additional assistance to users where required.
· Online Digital Skills Tutorials: Staff will provide one to one tutorials over the phone to people who want to learn how to complete basic tasks online including step by step instruction on how to purchase your groceries online, how to skype or video call and other online queries.
· Online Positive Mental Health Videos: Mindful of how isolation and extended periods of time confined to your home can lead to stress and anxiety, Sligo LEADER Partnership are putting together a series of short light hearted videos on a range of topics which hopefully will help pass the time for those self-isolating. These health and wellbeing videos funded by SICAP, will feature on social media and will cover a range of topics including photography, DIY, yoga, mindfulness, cooking tips and much more. Follow the #sligotogether for more.
· Continued One to One Support: our SICAP client support team will continue to be available on the phone to offer advice and guidance
Following the closure of the four-day care centres managed by Sligo LEADER Partnership on behalf of the HSE, Sligo LEADER have joined forces with CLASP to provide a Meals on Wheels service and friendly call service to these clients who are now housebound. CLASP (Community of Lough Arrow Social Project) operates an existing Meals on Wheels service from Dromahair to Monasteraden serving on average 120 people, five days a week and so were ideally placed to ensure these existing clients from the day care service were not left without.
The current national volunteer response highlights the vital service delivered by groups like CLASP on a year round basis, where older people know that regardless of what else happens that they will receive a hot meal and have someone call to see them each day.
CLASP also operate a rural transport service where older people can avail of a service where they are collected from their homes to travel to the local shop or post office to get groceries or other supplies.
Sligo LEADER Partnership and CLASP will endeavour to support the older and most vulnerable residents in our community to ensure that they receive basic supplies and medicines as well as having a friendly ear to talk too. However, LEADER are cognisant of the fact that this situation is evolving every day and the service we are providing will change or adapt based on HSE advice.
For more information on these or other services please contact Sligo LEADER Partnership on 071 91 41138