Group increases support it is offering to the area
A VOLUNTEER group supporting people through the Covid-19 crisis has enhanced its services.
Westfield Virus Volunteers, based at Westfield Community Centre in Hinckley, has set up a mobile first aid and emergency aid service.
The team includes first aiders who have been trained in the use of PPE and a portable defibrillator.
Dave Roberts, head of the centre and the scheme organiser, said: “Hopefully we will never have to use the defibrillator, but we are available for minor first aid treatments for those socially isolating.
“We recognised earlier on in the crisis that nationwide the number of elderly people dying at home following cardiac arrest had doubled.
“We therefore invested part
ARRIVA has outlined 10 new rules passengers will have to follow on all of its buses.
The company has announced that the guidelines have come into practice with immediate effect.
The buses will, in line with government guidance, be operating under reduced capacity to conform to new social distancing measures during the coronavirus crisis.
An Arriva spokesman said that changes included having seats within two metres of the driver taped off. However, wheelchair spaces will always remain available.
A “no-standing” policy has been put in place, and drivers will not be able to issue change.
When revised capacities are met, buses will show a “bus full” sign and drivers will only stop to let passengers off.
When you see the “bus full” sign, the bus will only stop when people want to get off, and only one passenger will be able to board for everyone who disembarks.
Simon Mathieson, Arriva area managing director, said: “The safety of our passengers and colleagues is of the utmost importance to us, and in addition to these new measures, we continue to operate in line with previous government advice to ensure bus travel is as safe as possible for those needing to make essential journeys.
“We appreciate some people may be concerned by the new capacity levels and would like to assure you that we want everyone’s journey to be as smooth and as safe as possible.
“We will be closely monitoring and adapting services in line with demand, wherever we can, to help ensure this is the case.
“We have an enhanced cleaning regime in place, ensuring all touchpoint surfaces, both on our buses and in our depots, are regularly deep cleaned. of the grant we received from the borough and county council in acquiring a fully automated defibrillator.”
The scheme has been supporting socially isolated and vulnerable people in Hinckley since the lockdown began in March.
The volunteers have been providing a ‘check up and chat’ phone service to support people who are struggling with loneliness and boredom.
They also do shopping and deliver groceries, collect prescriptions, and transport people to hospital and medical appointments.
The centre also has a wellstocked book and jigsaw library which is proving popular during lockdown.
Other services include childcare for key workers, building on the project’s works helping socially isolated people for over 40 years.
The centre provides lunch clubs, mental health support and recreational activities for the elderly.
It is supported by Hinckley Stroke Club, SNIPS and several community-based groups and volunteers.
Hinckley motorcycle training scheme is based at the community centre and has made its bikes and instructors available for the Covid-19 project.
Chief instructor Nigel Thornber said: “We are happy to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in our community at this difficult time and make good use of our bikes and instructors.”
If you need help or want to volunteer, call Hinckley 637516 or email dave.roberts@westfieldcc.org.uk.