As of lunchtime on 6 April over 600 boxes of food have been delivered to some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents following calls made to the new Bexley Coronavirus Helpline.
A further 210 boxes have been delivered to residents who are included on the Government’s national ‘shielding’ list. Staff have made contact with over 1,380 Bexley residents who have been included on the list. The ‘shielding’ list is made up of the vulnerable people who are most at risk from Coronavirus. The team have been offering them a free essential food box, delivering prescriptions and visiting their properties and offering any other help they may need.
Nearly 100 medical collections or deliveries have been made to residents following helpline calls.
A small army of Council staff, have been working around the clock to organise the boxes and their contents that include pasta, squash, soup, cereal and rice.
Lidl, Waitrose and Hovis are among the businesses that have provided their support in helping to fill the boxes.
The new helpline is for residents who need help because they don’t have any family , friends or neighbours who are able to assist. It handles calls ranging from requests for information and advice to basic food and medicine deliveries. So far the Bexley helpline has received more than 750 calls.
Staff working on the helpline and delivering boxes are from a range of different Council departments.
Council staff have also made over 230 welfare visits to specific residents to check that they are ok. Before the visits are made the Council will have contacted residents by email and by telephone. All Council staff carry identification and will always be happy for any resident to call the Council first to check that the person is who they say they are.
One resident who initially called the helpline for information said; “I had been all the way around the houses but no one has been very helpful until I rang the Bexley Helpline. spoke to a lady who was absolutely lovely. She went out of her way to help me. She even arranged for me to have a food parcel which came today. You would have laughed if you had heard us when we pulled out a packet of hot cross buns! All perfect for us. I would like to thank Bexley Council for my food parcel and for giving us a little bit of laughter during these very difficult times.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE said; “We know that many people are fortunate to have support in place through family, friends and neighbours. Some may not be so lucky, or their usual support may be unable to help under the current conditions. We are here and we will help. Whether it is someone to get shopping, pick up other essentials, or provide information, guidance and advice, please call.”
The helpline is open from 8am to 8pm every day. The number to call is 020 3045 5398 or you can apply for help online
If you know someone that may be in need of an essential food box, please call the helpline number.