Community spirit has been at the forefront in North Tyneside, as a support hub for the borough’s most vulnerable residents is set to continue.
North Tyneside Council launched its dedicated Covid-19 support hub in March for those in need of immediate help and support who couldn’t call on anyone else.
It formed part of the local authority’s response to the pandemic, helping to shield its most vulnerable residents by providing a range of support
Thanks to local authority staff and an army of volunteers, the hub has been able to support over 1,800 residents with day-to-day tasks like picking up prescriptions, household supplies, grocery shopping and purchasing pet supplies.
Volunteers from charities Age UK North Tyneside and Dreamshine offered a befriending telephone service to chat with people who may have felt lonely during isolation.
Staff and volunteers from Family Gateway and Cedarwood Trust, two other local charities, assisted in delivering meals to residents, while other charities and community groups focused their efforts on providing support over the telephone and via digital channels.
A number of businesses offered their services as part of the support hub too, helping to provide essential groceries and prepared meals, through North Tyneside Business Forum.
VODA's Good Neighbours project has recruited 320 new volunteers who have responded to over 1900 requests for help from local residents. The project is now focussing on supporting volunteers to enable local residents to regain their independence and become more connected to their local community.
Despite shielding being put on pause by the government, and many people who had been shielding returning to some form of normality, North Tyneside Council will continue to run a local support system for those who still need it.
After it was made a priority by Cabinet, it was decided that the support hub will continue, using funding from the NHS Test and Trace scheme.
The aim of the hub continuing is to help support any residents coming out of shielding to adjust as they gradually regain their independence – it will offer accompanied shopping, as well as regular welfare checks over the phone for those who request it.
Measures are also in place in case of any potential outbreaks, in line with the authority’s Covid-19 Outbreak Control Plan. As part of the commitment to care for the borough’s most vulnerable, the hub will be keeping its records updated and will be prepared to resume on a larger scale if needed.
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “These unprecedented times meant that a lot of our residents were placed into unique and unfamiliar situations where they needed support – whether that is checking on their welfare, or helping them with day-to-day tasks like food shopping.
“I am immensely proud of all that the support hub has managed to achieve over the past few months. We have been able to support hundreds of residents to try and make this as easy on them as possible and have received very positive feedback.
“But we know that the support doesn’t stop there, and it is important that we now support our most vulnerable residents as they come out of shielding and try to adjust to this ‘new normal’, which could come as a shock to someone who hasn’t seen the changes yet.
“Protecting our most vulnerable residents is always one of our top priorities as a council – and we will continue to provide them with the support they need.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has played a part in the support hub to this point, and thank you to everyone who is going to continue the support throughout this time.”
Robin Fry, Chief Executive for VODA, said: “The response from our local voluntary and community sector during the pandemic has been incredible. We are lucky to have some amazing small neighbourhood groups as well as larger more established charities.
“With the help of hundreds of volunteers the sector has been able to react swiftly to get support to some of our most vulnerable residents, whilst also developing some innovative new online services."
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