Council staff offer back-up to volunteers
If you are in the high-risk group, it may be wise to keep your cat indoors.
VOLUNTEERS working in Kirklees to support vulnerable people through the Coronavirus pandemic are to be supported by council employees.
The authority said “a large number” of staff whose roles are not currently business critical due to the Covid-19 response will be redeployed across the borough using their skills to help communities and residents.
Dubbed the Kirklees Community Response Team they will be based within libraries, foodbanks and other community buildings providing advice, information and support, as well as links to other services and helping people access food and emergency cash/grants.
Social distancing measures will be in place.
Kirklees Council has worked together with vital services such as The Welcome Centre, Fusion Foodbank and Batley Foodbank in order to enable them to stay open.
The new support project began on Monday.
Council leader Clr Shabir Pandor lent support at Dewsbury’s Fusion Foodbank, helping local people to access food.
He said the council was working hard and doing everything it could to keep people “as safe as possible”.
He described the scale of the coronavirus challenge as “much bigger than Kirklees Council” and said “a real community effort” was needed.
He added: “Public health and the wellbeing of all our residents is our top priority.
“We are encouraging everyone to follow the social distancing guidance from Government, but we have a duty of care to support our most vulnerable and will take all measures to ensure people who are offering their time to help others, are kept safe.
“The usual day-to-day roles of our staff are all an important part in delivering services to residents.
“However, with the current challenges we face, we are rightly assessing which roles need to continue as normal, and which can be put on hold to offer the extra support our communities desperately need.”
The council has put together a pack to support people and communities during the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus. It can be downloaded here.
■■Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the council at communities@kirklees. gov.uk