Do you know who needs care and support in your area? We need communities to come together to help us ensure our most vulnerable people remain safe and well.
There are some people who are at increased risk of more severe illness from coronavirus, and are being advised by the government not to leave their homes. These include people aged over 70, and those with complex health conditions, who need to be protected more in order to keep safe.
The council has established a ‘safe and well’ service, working with our community partners, to support vulnerable residents who will benefit from wellbeing checks and additional support.
The service provides telephone support, offering advice and reassurance to vulnerable people in the community. Where a person is unable to leave their home and has no family, friends, or appropriate support network, we will also ensure they receive essential items, such as food and prescriptions.
Council leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “Providing essential social care and community support is more challenging than ever, and we are doing all we can to ensure people remain safe and well, and appropriately supported in their own homes.
“More people require more help and – with staffing levels in social care being adversely affected – we need communities to come together to help provide valuable support to deliver essential services to our residents, to help everyone remain safe and well together.
“We are appealing to everyone to think about those people in their neighbourhood who may need more support, either because they are at an increased risk of more serious illness from coronavirus, or because they have care and support needs which must continue to be met. Please help us ensure that no one slips through the net by referring them to the safe and well service.”
To find out about those who need care and support in your area, and how you can help, visit warrington.gov.uk/safe-and-well-together-coronavirus.
If you, or someone you know, needs help or support to stay at home during this time, please contact us immediately. Complete the online form at warrington.gov.uk/help-and-support-vulnerable-people-coronavirus or call one of our dedicated helplines on 01925 442441 or 01925 442443.
If you have more time to give, and are interested in paid employment, we are also urgently appealing for people to train as care workers and people who wish to return to the care profession. We are running a fast track recruitment campaign, providing the necessary training to enable new staff to quickly join the paid local care workforce.
Cllr Rebecca Knowles, cabinet member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “Adult social care and our providers in Warrington are under immense pressure. We need to bring in new staff to support them so they can continue to deliver the best possible care.
“We have paid opportunities available and previous experience isn’t essential as all the necessary training is provided, free of charge. All you need is compassion, understanding, patience and a willingness to learn. It’s a brilliantly rewarding vocation for those who want to ensure that our most vulnerable people receive the care and support they need during this difficult time.”
For more information, visit warrington.gov.uk/jobs/paid-opportunities-adult-social-care, or call us on 01925 444157.
For the latest information on coronavirus in Warrington, please visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus.
