Council to make more than 2000 calls to residents shielding from coronavirus

More than 2000 phone calls are being made by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Safe and Well Service to ‘check-in’ with those residents who are shielding themselves from the coronavirus.

The checks are being made to residents who have received a letter from the government advising them to shield for up to 12 weeks, and have not yet been in contact with the NPT Safe and Well Service. The purpose of the phone calls are to check how residents are coping and to find out if they require any additional support.

The service will be asking questions such as how coronavirus is having an impact on their life, what concerns they have, what type of support they require with day-to-day living and if they have people to keep in contact with. At no point will anyone from the service ask you for any personal information or bank details. If you are uncertain over the validity of the call, you can contact the NPT Safe and Well Service directly on 01639 686868.

The service was set up at the start of the coronavirus outbreak to ensure those who are shielding or self-isolating are able to access support with daily living tasks if they have no family or friends to call on for help. Carers who are supporting those who are shielding themselves or self-isolating can also access the service.

Since launching in March, the service has supported more than 1000 residents, and delivers approximately 600 emergency food parcels a week.

Councillor Rob Jones, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:

“The NPT Safe and Well Service is here help our most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus outbreak. I know that many people are lucky enough to have family, friends and neighbours nearby who can help them, but that’s not the case for everyone.

“These calls are important to check how people are doing during these difficult times and to make sure they are aware of the support that is available if needed.”

To help support residents the service can:

• Match people with a trusted volunteer to help with things such as picking up prescriptions, posting mail, dog walking or arrange regular check-in phone calls to make sure someone is okay.
• Help people to access food shopping by giving them information on local delivery services. For those who are most vulnerable and have no other way of accessing essential food supplies, an emergency food parcel can be arranged to be delivered.

The service also has links with existing support that has been set up by community/voluntary organisations, town and community councils, housing associations and councillors across the county borough.

To contact the service, call 01639 686868 (8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). For further information, visit www.npt.gov.uk/safeandwell.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s NPT Safe and Well Service is delivered in partnership with Age Connects, NPT CVS, Tai Tarian, Coastal Housing, Pobl, Age Concern, Canolfan Maerdy, RADAR and also the many Covid-19 community groups that have formed across the county borough since the start of the outbreak.