Locality Response Teams continue to support vulnerable residents
Our Locality Response Teams continue to support vulnerable and shielding residents across Blaenau Gwent, and we have now supported over 500 residents.
The teams were set up to respond to requests from vulnerable residents looking for help from within their community for things like shopping, picking up prescriptions, dog-walking, befriending calls or anything else they were struggling with during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The teams are made up of redeployed council staff from a variety of different service areas, as well as Aneurin Leisure Trust (ALT) staff who were redeployed and stepped up to assist. A lot of the work has been carried out remotely, with council and ALT staff able to safely work from home speaking to residents and community groups via telephone and managing cases via an online case management system.
Each team also has a Locality Outreach Officer who provides ‘on the ground’ support where it is not possible to source support for prescription or grocery shopping collections/deliveries from a local business, community group or community champion.
The Locality Response Teams & the volunteers and community groups they work with have been absolutely vital to the Covid-19 response in ensuring vulnerable people are well supported, and the feedback from residents has been extremely positive.
The team members are delighted to have helped provide such a vital service.
- Team Member Dan Seymour says: “The work has been very rewarding and eye-opening. It’s been a great experience to become a friendly voice and a source of support for some of our most vulnerable residents, and I’ll miss some of my regular calls when I return to my usual role.”
- Angharad Barrett says: “I have enjoyed working with the Locality Teams so much, it’s a totally different role to my usual day to day role. The assistance we have given to vulnerable, elderly and shielding people has been an invaluable service, which they have all be incredibly grateful for. This is something that Blaenau Gwent Council can be truly proud of.”
- Lissa Friel says: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working as part of the Blaenau Gwent Locality Teams in response to Covid 19. We have come together as services and with external partners to deliver a response that has supported residents across Blaenau Gwent, which has involved working with the community and the Voluntary Sector. This service has allowed people to remain independent and get the right support at the right time. It’s been so rewarding to have been part of this, to know we have helped others during what has been an unprecedented time.”
- Jan Vaughan says: “There are lots of people in our communities who are vulnerable and “What Matters” to them is having their prescription and food delivered if they’re shielding or socially isolating. The lockdown has been quite lengthy for some and their stress levels are increasing. To be able to support them at their time of need is very rewarding. I have also been carrying out welfare calls to the ones who I think have been the most vulnerable, they enjoy having someone to chat with and look forward to my calls. It’s been a pleasure being able to support our residents when they need it most.”
- Rhys Pearce says: “Being there for our most venerable residents during these difficult times has brought me great happiness and satisfaction. Seeing the way our workforce and community has pulled together has been nothing short of inspiring.”