article submitted by Dick Taylor
Wickhambrook village has set up a volunteer group to support its residents during the current Coronavirus crisis. Careful attention has been given to how this process should function and this can be seen below.
Please keep a close eye on the Wickhambrook Community Facebook page and this page for further updates.
HELPLINE
0739 5958 297
Wickhambrook Support Plan for Elderly/Vulnerable Persons
• If you have to self-isolate due to government guidelines, the first option is to have your trusted relatives or neighbour support you.
• If not– then our support volunteers can assist with obtaining essential food, household necessities, and any medication.
• Helpline numbers (in order of preference) for anyone who has to self-isolate and needs external support:
Mobile “Helpline” number- 0739 5958 297
“The Greyhound” land line- 01440 821017
• A small number of volunteers are available who can assist with getting essential groceries and medication etc. They will also provide you with a “SI” label to place in your front window so that people are aware of your status and (hopefully) will not attempt to enter your home. In addition, they will provide a “H” label to place in the front window which will signify that you need immediate help with a problem. However, the first option should be a call to the helpline and speak to someone.
• If you need help, then contact the helpline and prepare a list of the essential groceries/ medication needed so the volunteers can obtain them for you. Groceries and medication will be left on the doorstep, or garden gate, and the volunteer will knock so that you may collect them in sight. Volunteers are NOT ALLOWED access to homes. This would breach self-isolation rules and would increase the risk of transmission. Payment for the delivery of groceries should be by cash in an envelope, change and a receipt will be returned with the goods. Don’t forget to sanitise the packaging when you receive the goods-you don’t know who else has handled them!
• Try not to request just one or two items, as this is inefficient in the use of resources, and we may carry out only one or two runs to the shops per day.
Beware of anyone purporting to be one of the help team but who do not meet the description of our team, or you haven’t called us for help and someone arrives, or they want to gain access to your home on some other excuse. Sadly, not everyone has your best interest at heart.
HELPLINE
0739 5958 297