Buckinghamshire Council to run eight Local Support Hubs during the Coronavirus emergency

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member Gareth Williams (left) and Council Leader Martin Tett, delivering food parcels to those in most medical need in Amersham on Wednesday 1st April 2020. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire Council)

Buckinghamshire Council is to run eight Local Support Hubs during the Coronavirus emergency.

The eight Local Support Hubs are to be created in Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, and Marlow.

The hubs will act at local lifelines for those residents identified by the NHS as having severe medical conditions who may not have family or friends nearby to support them by overseeing the co-ordination and distribution for the Council’s volunteer support network, helping with essential food parcels, fuel top-up cards and assistance with getting medicines and medical appointments.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Buckinghamshire Council, said: ‘These hubs will do a fantastic job in supporting the great work already being done by volunteers, community groups, churches and charities right across Buckinghamshire, who are already pulling out all the stops to help our older and more vulnerable residents.‘

Residents at high risk, often referred to as the shielded population, would receive letters from the NHS or their GPs explaining how to register for support at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or by calling the Government helpline on 0800 0288327.

Vulnerable residents or their carers without a letter but who felt they should qualify for this support could still register if they quoted their NHS number. They can also find local groups offering support on the Council website.

Residents are able to volunteer to help with Local Support Hub work. Further information and details on how to sign up can be found at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-hub.

In addition to this group, the social care team at Buckinghamshire Council has identified 750 older and more vulnerable residents and is keeping in daily contact with them to ensure they are safe and have the support they need.

Nearly 100 other people, who called the council on its helpline 01296 383204 for support and advice, have been linked up with support from volunteers and community groups.

Gareth said: ‘We’re working well with our colleagues in the NHS and with our county’s volunteer groups in very difficult circumstances. Everyone is doing their utmost and I applaud their superhuman efforts. Together we’ll get through this emergency and emerge a stronger community as a result.‘

Anyone concerned about a vulnerable person who may need support can contact Buckinghamshire Council by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 01296 383204.

Coronavirus support and information, which is updated regularly, can be found at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire Council.