Cumbria County Council’s Emergency Support Helpline has now received over 5,000 contacts since its launch on Monday 30th March 2020.
The helpline has been receiving requests for support from vulnerable or isolated people who aren’t able to rely on friends, family or neighbours and may be struggling for essential supplies.
The most common requests are for medication and prescription collections, food supplies and from family members who are isolating or shielding themselves and who would normally provide care to relatives.
Councillor Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said: “Our Emergency Support Helpline continues to offer a lifeline to vulnerable people who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill, as a result of COVID-19, and who do not have support available from friends, family or neighbours.
“If people have no alternative support, they should contact the helpline to request help getting food, medicines, essential supplies and home deliveries.
“We are continuing to work alongside local businesses, community groups, volunteers and redeployed employees to support vulnerable people in our local communities, particularly those in the shielding group.”
People can contact the helpline 7 days a week and in a variety of ways, including via telephone, online or by email:
- Call the emergency helpline on 0800 783 1966.
- Online at cumbria.gov.uk.
- Email your request for help to COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk.
The helpline operates Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and 10am to 2pm at weekends and Bank Holidays. The service also accepts referrals from members of the public who may be concerned about people in their community.
Check-in and Chat
The county council’s helpline also offers a ‘Check-in and Chat’ service with volunteers providing telephone support to people who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation or shielding.
