Council Leader says ‘we are here to help’ 

30 Sept
Last week the Prime Minister announced greater restrictions in order to help stop the spread of Covid-19. In response Sheffield City Council Leader has reiterated the council’s support to anyone who may be struggling during this difficult time.

At the start of the crisis the Labour controlled Council set-up a helpline for Coronavirus questions and concerns. The hotline helps Council staff link each caller with the right service – including getting the right help for food deliveries, medicine or mental and emotional wellbeing. This support has proved invaluable to many and at a recent council meeting it was revealed that 13,295 calls have been made to the helpline by the end of August.

As a result of these calls, thousands of deliveries have been made to residents in need. These include:

1,884 shopping deliveries

1,019 medicine deliveries

5,186 ‘Safe and Well’ visits.

The council has also delivered 1,231 Emergency Food Parcels by the end of July (the most up-to-date figures available).

Councillor Julie Dore has welcomed the figures, and reaffirmed to people that the council’s helpline, and the associated support, is here to help

Council Leader Julie Dore:

“The fact that further resections are again in force shows how precarious the situation is, but I want Sheffield residents to know that we are here to help. The sheer volume of calls the council helpline has received, and the amount of parcels delivered, show that we will do everything we can to support you.

“I want to thank council workers for their continued dedication and for the great work they are doing. It should also be noted that the helpline is not just about sending food or medicine to those who are unable to get it themselves, but also over 5,000 visits have been made by staff to check on the physical and mental wellbeing of residents, all following calls to the council’s Covid helpline.

“I’m proud of the council in bringing together support and we are continuing to vigilantly work alongside the public, voluntary, private, community and faith sectors to protect and support Sheffield’s communities.

“I urge anyone who may be struggling to please give the council helpline a call”

The Coronavirus Community Support Helpline number is 0114 2734567, and is open seven days a week between 8.45am and 4.45pm.

Note to readers:

All these figures were made available during in a recent Full Council meeting, a recording of which can be watched here:  http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=154&MId=7672