A picturesque village in East Suffolk
Key facts about the Collaborative Communities Covid-19 Board:
The Home, But Not Alone Phoneline:
Phone calls are answered and cases managed by staff at each district, borough or county council depending on the type of enquiry. Wherever possible we link people in need with local groups and businesses, who are doing an amazing job in our communities. This phoneline is for vulnerable people in our communities, and not for general Coronavirus enquiries.
Below is a snapshot of the types of cases which are managed by the district/borough teams working closely with a network of voluntary and community groups and businesses across Suffolk:
These are just a snapshot of the great work going on as Suffolk comes together to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Volunteering within communities:
These resources can all be found on CAS website here https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/covid-19-response/covid-response-communities/
Community Action Suffolk is also leading a piece of work to map the fantastic response within local communities to support and help those in need. To date, 1437 community groups, VCSE organisations, town and parish councils, church groups and private businesses have been mapped that provide a vast range of services and support including, but not exclusively, shopping, medication collection & delivery, befriending and delivery of hot meals. Registration remains open on the CAS website and can be accessed here:
https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/coronavirus-community-emergency-response/
Food deliveries and logistics: We have been asked by Government to provide short-term food parcels to those identified on the Government’s shielding list. In Suffolk this is around 17,500 people. This work has been ongoing and food parcels have been delivered. This week Aldi agreed to set aside bulk amounts of their stock in order for us to fulfil these deliveries. We were offered the help of free vans to collect the food from John Gross and Tru7 Group, based in Martlesham. We have also had offers of support from Flagship Group.
Food banks: Funding has been committed for foodbanks which has been administered through the Suffolk Community Foundations wider Emergency Covid-19 Fund. The fund has raised more than £300,000 during the first 10 days since launching. Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 with applications being turned around within 24 hours and money granted within 5 working days. So far over £100k has been allocated to food related support across the county and more than £200,000 to other emergency interventions. Additionally district and borough councils are supporting local groups to ensure that funds are available and that food is getting to those most in need.
Community Action Suffolk are in weekly contact with the 60+ foodbanks across the county to access demand. Suffolk County Council are in the process of granting £30,000 to Fairshare (who have a depot in Ipswich) which will fund 540 (100kg) loads to be delivered to foodbanks in need. FairShare will also take delivery of UN Army Surplus food supplies kindly donated through the Suffolk Community Foundation by Vestey Foods with a cost value of £120,000 which will be used to supplement the loads. The Army have offered assistant to FairShare to help with distribution if required.
Housing: More than 800 rooms of accommodation have already been found for vulnerable people or key workers requiring temporary accommodation. Homes have also been found for Suffolk’s rough sleepers. We are working hard to ensure that we can meet the demand placed on the system as the pandemic continues, including the housing of prisoners, or those facing domestic abuse.
As we head into the Easter weekend, Suffolk’s NHS, emergency and public services have issued a message reminding people of their duty to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. We are being reminded that this is a public emergency, not a public holiday.
We hope you get the time to step away from the work this weekend and recharge your batteries.
With best wishes,
Chrissie Geeson (Head of Localities and Partnerships, Suffolk County Council)
Chair of the Collaborative Communities COVID-19 Board
On behalf of: Community Action Suffolk, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG, Ministry of Defence, National Probation Service – Norfolk & Suffolk, NHS – Integrated Care System, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk Association of Local Councils, Suffolk Community Foundation, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Voluntary Organisations Group, West Suffolk CCG, West Suffolk Council
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