09 Apr Basildon Council helps residents preparing for Easter while not letting the vulnerable fall through the cracks
Basildon Council is helping residents – many of whom are isolated – prepare for Easter during coronavirus, by focusing on its Community Hub services which have been in operation for two weeks.
The Community Hub’s 45 staff have helped residents with a vast range of issues from meeting demand for replacement hearing aid batteries to delivering food parcels to isolated members of the community.
“I am incredibly proud of the operation we have got working in such a short timescale,” Leader of Basildon Council Gavin Callaghan said.
“Council staff have made 430 befriending calls to residents who are suffering from isolation, and are in ongoing contact with each of our 2,000 sheltered housing tenants.
“In the past two weeks Hub staff have also urgently delivered food parcels and prescriptions to vulnerable residents.
“The Wat Tyler Education team donated over 100 Easter eggs originally intended for their Easter egg hunt to be given out to people who can’t visit the shops and are being supported by our community hub, and donated another 80 Easter eggs to the food bank at The Place, Pitsea leisure Centre.
“We stand ready to support those most vulnerable in our communities over the Easter Weekend and ask those who aren’t as vulnerable to keep looking out for their neighbours and staying home to save lives.”
Basildon Council’s community hub food distribution centre is now up and running, for those unable to get to shops or pharmacies. The hub is also working closely with partners to match 387 volunteers with residents in need of tailored services, such as dietary needs and pet supplies.
Anyone who registered as a volunteer has been contacted this week to provide them with materials, tips and guidance, and to encourage them to be proactive in helping those who live around them.
Hub staff also have the details of 104 organisations that are offering services ranging from telephone counselling to employability advice.
Residents can go to the council’s website www.basildon.gov.uk to find out more, or email [email protected] for further information. Those without access to the internet can call 01268 533333 (select option 1).
