Published: Wednesday, 20th May 2020
Vulnerable people who are shielding are being reminded by the borough council to apply for support with getting basic supplies, priority supermarket deliveries and help meeting basic care needs.
The government has sent out a weekly food box for people who recently registered for additional support, because they are vulnerable due to a medical condition and they have no other means of accessing food during isolation.
Residents can register themselves, or on behalf of someone else, on the gov.uk website. Cllr Stuart Dark, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Emergency Planning, said: “People who are shielding have been minimising contact with other members of the household and not going out for more than two months now, we want to remind them that support is available through national government and locally.
“If you have a medical condition which means you’re classed as being clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus or you’ve been told by your GP or hospital clinician that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable and need to ‘shield’ then you should complete the form online at gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable.
“The community hub was set-up by the borough council at the start of the pandemic and is managed by the team from Lily. A month after lock-down they had handled over 500 enquiries and are still making daily phone calls and deliveries to residents. Many staff have been redeployed to support the Lily team.
“This has been a huge and impressive effort by our staff along with many organisations and companies in west Norfolk who want to help. From people looking out for their neighbours, to support and donations from King’s Lynn Food bank and local supermarkets. I thank everyone who has helped so far and continues to do so.”
If people have registered but not received a food box from the government or need assistance for emergency essential food items, medicines, or wellbeing support then they should call the helpline on 0344 800 8020. Calls to this line go through a triage process so that people are directed to the organisation that can help.
As supply chains improve some people are now able to access food and do not require the emergency food parcel. If residents no longer need the weekly food box please re-visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable, re-register selecting YES to the following question – Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment.
Alternatively people can refuse the next parcel by letting the driver know, and it will be redelivered to another clinically vulnerable person in need.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
Responsibly supporting the Covid-19 Recovery Strategy
STAY ALERT – CONTROL THE VIRUS – SAVE LIVES