Support for Queen Elizabeth Staff

Alive West Norfolk is wholly owned by the borough council and as such Alive employees have been redeployed to help with the community effort by caring for Queen Elizabeth hospital staff children, allowing them to concentrate on the brilliant jobs they are doing caring for us all.

Alive Lynnsport has opened its doors for free to Queen Elizabeth Hospital staff providing Activity Clubs for children aged 5-14 years old. Clubs run 8am-6pm 7 days a week including school holidays and bank holidays. Alive staff are keeping children entertained with a range of activities including sports, fitness, arts and crafts, video games and films. The children are being split into small groups and social distancing guidance is being followed. As part of this service Alive are also providing free meals, drinks and snacks to the children.

This service is proving very popular with 227 places booked over the Easter break already. There are still places available, so if you are a member of QE staff and need free help with childcare please to contact community@alivewestnorfolk.co.uk for more details.

Cath Castleton, Human Resources Director at Queen Elizabeth Hospital said: “We have been bowled over by the response from our local community and the support both individuals and organisations are giving us. Alive West Norfolk’s childcare sessions, along with other extremely generous offers of childcare, have allowed many of our staff to carry on working to deliver the best care for our patents. We would like to thank everyone who has rallied round. Knowing we have the people of King’s Lynn and the surrounding area firmly behind us has helped us all during these challenging times.”

Neil Gromett, Managing Director of Alive West Norfolk said: “I would like to thank all of the Alive team especially the gymnastics team for their enthusiasm and commitment for caring for these children. Knowing your children are safe, happy and well cared for is such a relief. The feedback we have had from parents has been heart-warming. This is just one of the things Alive is doing to help the community at this time. We have frozen all membership payments as well as all other regular payments including swimming lessons and gymnastics payments for peace of mind for our customers.”

While it is fantastic to see what is being done locally to support our key staff it is also brilliant to see such efforts are also being carried out county wide.

Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader of the borough council and cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Health said: “I am so proud to see how our staff are working together to provide help for key workers at this important time. We are all working hard to ensure we protect all of those in our community, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The efforts being made across Norfolk to pull together and help one another is testament to what a special place this is to live and work”.

Cllr Stuart Dark Portfolio Holder for Emergency Planning / Response to Covid 19 said: “The council is working tirelessly to ensure local communities and businesses are protected at this time. Please follow government advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Stay at home

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
• Do not meet others, even friends or family

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.