County council offers ‘safety net’ to vulnerable people as shielding restrictions eased

Guidance around shielding changed on August 1 and people who have been shielding are now able to visit shops by following social distancing rather than full shielding measures and can return to work provided that their workplace is COVID-secure.

However, North Yorkshire County Council will continue to offer a safety net to those who still need support.

Since March the county council has been working alongside district councils with 23 community support organisations (CSOs) to co-ordinate a massive volunteer effort to make sure nobody felt alone or went without food and other essentials during the pandemic.

These organisations became single points of contact for anyone who needed help with food deliveries, prescription pick-ups or simply a friendly face and a chat. This network of volunteers will continue to help anyone who needs it even now that shielding advice has changed and this partnership with the voluntary sector will continue until at least the end of the year.

‘Incredibly reassuring’

Alan Kane from Hambleton has been shielding with wife Sue as they both have lung disease. He says simply knowing the CSOs and the team of volunteers were there to help him was incredibly reassuring and made himself and Sue feel less alone during the unprecedented circumstances of lockdown.

He said both are very grateful and pleased the support will be continuing even when the Government guidance changes at the start of next month.

Alan, who was in the fire brigade before he retired, said: “Me and Sue have to shield because of our lung disease – if we catch anything, it could be incredibly dangerous.

“At first it was very hard not seeing anyone, especially the family and my grandchildren.

“But knowing we had the volunteer organisations behind us to help was incredibly reassuring and it still is.”

Alan and Sue have had their prescriptions delivered by volunteers throughout lockdown, but they also appreciated the time taken by the volunteers to simply call and check they were okay.

He said: “We have managed and it has got easier, but knowing someone was looking out for us was marvellous and I’m very glad it’s continuing.

“If one good thing has come out of this it’s how friendly people have been and how willing to help. The volunteers who helped me could have sat at home, but they’ve put themselves out there and keep doing so.”

Reassurance

Gary Fielding, Corporate Director of Strategic Resources, said: “Across North Yorkshire, thousands of people have stepped up to support those around them.

“Whether that’s checking on a friend, family member or neighbour – or, volunteering as part of the support effort.

“Colleagues in our customer service centre have been working hard to put alternative arrangements in place for those residents who will need help now that shielding has been paused. Our partners at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, the district councils and our own council staff have all gone the extra mile by volunteering to check in on people.

“It’s been a huge team effort, but the reassurance that we will continue to support residents should they need it has provided much needed comfort to those who are vulnerable.

“Many people have relied on the help of community support organisations and the army of willing volunteers and we want to reassure anyone who needs that support now or in the future that we are here to help.

“In communities in North Yorkshire throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve tried to make sure that no-one falls by the wayside or slips through the cracks, and rest assured this will continue despite the change in government advice.”

Anyone who needs to arrange help can contact the  county council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780 seven days a week 8am to 5.30pm.