Coronavirus update: Changes to coronavirus support service

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Safe and Well Service will be changing how it delivers support following Welsh Government’s decision to pause shielding from the 16th August.

The NPT Safe and Well Service was set up at the start of the coronavirus outbreak to assist people who were shielding and had nobody to call on for support with daily living tasks such as food shopping and collecting prescriptions.

The service will be helping those who receive food box deliveries under the Welsh Government scheme to make alternative arrangements. The food boxes will stopped during the week commencing Monday 10th August.

Alternative arrangements will include:

Encouraging residents to return to the way they shopped before the coronavirus outbreak, if it is safe and reasonable to do so. This might involve providing advice on when shops are at the quietest or making the first trip to the shop with a supporting volunteer.

Linking residents up with local businesses that offers a delivery service.

Encouraging residents who are capable of shopping online to make use of the increased options for delivery or click and collect services now offered by supermarkets and other local businesses

Connecting people who need ongoing support with a reputable local organisation that can provide longer term support.

The service will also be helping residents receiving other forms of support, such as collection of medicines, to be able to manage these daily tasks independently or to make plans for ongoing support where this is needed.

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

“We want to reassure residents that the NPT Safe and Well Service is here to help those still needing support to resume some of the normal daily living tasks they have been unable to do whilst shielding.

“I know that this is an anxious time for many of our residents who have had to rely on help and support from others while they have followed the government advice to stay indoors to protect themselves from the risk of contracting the Coronavirus.

“The Chief Medical Officer has advised that infection rates are now low enough to enable shielding to be paused and we will help those who currently rely on our service for support to adjust to the lifting of the restrictions that have applied since March.”

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, Care and Repair, RADAR and also the many Covid-19 community groups that have formed across the county borough.

For further information on the NPT Safe and Well service, visit www.npt.gov.uk/safeandwell or call 01639 686868 (8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).