The Torbay Coronavirus Helpline has been one of the main successes of the current health crisis and has been awarded “Heroes of the Week”, by Torbay Weekly.
Within days of the coronavirus outbreak, local organisations, including Healthwatch Torbay, came together to offer a telephone service, twelve hours a day, for vulnerable people in Torbay. As a result, thousands of residents have received help and support range from prescription and food deliveries through to befriending and dog walking.
Over the weeks people have developed a lockdown routine and the number of calls to the helpline has started to reduce. With lockdown starting to be relaxed, the helpline is now able to reduce its hours which will now be open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm and Saturdays 9.30am-12.30pm.
The helpline and support to people making the calls has mainly been delivered by volunteers. Whilst for some, lockdown is now getting easier, there are still hundreds of people in Torbay who are Shielding and will continue to need help, so the Helpline is encouraging volunteers, wherever possible, to continue offering support.
|
|
