Letter from area committee

I write to you and all the people and communities in Oban, Lorn and the Isles on behalf of the Area Committee members.

These are unprecedented and very strange times, and over the next few days and weeks, all our lives may become even more restricted.

The Area Committee wish to convey our heartfelt appreciation of the overwhelming response from community groups and voluntary bodies willing to assist the elderly and vulnerable within our communities. The essential NHS staff, our nurses and doctors,

the food providers, the businesses willing to provide takeaway meals, and deliver essential supplies, the Third Sector voluntary groups and housing agencies. Employees of the council and statutory bodies are all working under very challenging circumstances to ensure essential services are maintained for everyone’s safety.

The council and the NHS have established a website, www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/ help-for-communities.

This website gives information on who to contact in your area. The site is being regularly updated to ensure the information is current to each community. I would ask you to forward any information to your local members, and we will forward to our officer mapping this site. If you have difficulty accessing the website or perhaps are not familiar with using websites, please contact a member of the Area Committee for assistance or the council headquarters on 01546 605522, but please be aware that this line could be very busy and it may take some time to respond. We are all happy to help.

A phone call and a friendly voice can make all the difference between feeling totally isolated and feeling people care. If you hear or know of anyone who may be frail or alone, give them a call. Please take care, follow the national guidelines and stay well.

Councillor Elaine Robertson, Oban.