Ashfield District Council continuing efforts to support vulnerable residents

Ashfield District Council is continuing its huge effort to ensure essential aid and support is given to vulnerable residents within the district.

Alongside centrally co-ordinated assistance from the Government, NHS and the county council, the council has been working with Ashfield’s voluntary sector in leading the way to support those who are struggling to get by without the help of friends, family or support networks.

The council has also supported the voluntary sector by doubling the Ashfield Community fund by an extra £10,000.

The focus being on helping organisations with the supply of food and supplies to the most vulnerable.

The council is now linking all their efforts together and stepping in where emergency support is required.

In the past four weeks, 225 parcels have been distributed and delivered to various food banks and directly to the doorstep of vulnerable residents.

More than 1,400 of the council’s Lifeline service customers have been contacted by phone to ensure they are coping in these difficult times.

And all council tenants have also been contacted and the council has written to approximately 11,000 residents suspected of being vulnerable in the current crisis.

Councillors have also been contacting thousands of residents across the district to offer help and assistance.

If anyone requires help with food, prescriptions, or coping during self- solation please call 0300 5008080 or go to the coronavirus help page on the Ashfield District Council’s website, www.ashfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

People are reminded that they need to stay home and only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).

If you do go out, stay two metres (6ft) away from other people at all times and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Do not meet others, even friends or family, as you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

For more information about lockdown visit www.gov.uk.