Shielding Hub
This Easter Monday the team at Warwick District Council’s ‘Shielding Hub’ were busy preparing food boxes for distribution to local people who are clinically vulnerable and unable to leave their homes.
Since 24 March the team has been working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council with support from community and voluntary groups in a district wide operation. This week over 300 boxes containing essential items including milk, eggs, tea, coffee, ready meals, tins, vegetables and pasta were prepared and dispatched to residents who have made contact with the local authorities (Warwickshire County Council or Warwick District Council) advising that they need assistance.
Will Paterson, whose parents received a delivery commented;
“I would like to extend our family’s heartfelt thanks for the parcel you delivered to our parents, on Myton Road, earlier this week. It really helped them practically and emotionally. We are very grateful.”
Anyone who is elderly, has an underlying medical condition and/or is vulnerable and without access to existing support networks is advised to contact their GP or call the Warwick District Council dedicated support number 01926 456111 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or contact Warwickshire County Council 0800 4081447 for support and advice.
Local businesses receive grant payments
Warwick District Council’s Finance team has been working round the clock to ensure that local businesses can take advantage of the government grants available to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since taking over the administration of the central government scheme on 3 April claims from 1623 local companies have been processed and payments totalling £21,195,000 have been sent out.
Businesses who were amongst the first to receive support include Sarah Horne, House of Silk and Sarah Horne Flowers (Leamington & Warwick) and Nicola Butterfield, Modern Kitchen, Kenilworth.
Sarah Horne commented;
“I have been in business for 40 years and never needed support before. This grant payment is a real lifeline and will help me to plan ahead to what happens after this. I really appreciate that the council has acted so quickly to get these payments out to us during this difficult time.”
Nicola Butterfield commented;
“This is a real help for my business and I’m very grateful to the District Council for their determination to get the payments out to us. Mine will be in my bank account on Monday or Tuesday next week, which is much appreciated.”
Information about business support and grants can be found on the Warwick District Council website.
Accommodation secured for all rough sleepers
Warwick District Council’s housing team has been coordinating efforts to source and secure accommodation for the homeless and those sleeping rough.
In the wake of the Coronavirus crisis, the Council secured additional furnished self-contained accommodation, which has been used to complement the rooms available at the Council’s Hostel, William Wallsgrove House, which remains open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Following the lock-down which began on 23 March, volunteers from local agencies including P3, The Salvation Army Way Ahead Project, Helping Hands, Cyrenians and LWS Night Shelter have worked tirelessly to trace and offer accommodation to all those sleeping rough in our district. All but two people are now in secure accommodation and those who have chosen not to be placed are engaging regularly with outreach officers.
The Council is now appealing to the public not to offer cash to anyone asking for money on the street or in supermarket queues. Instead it is advising residents to direct individuals to local support groups or to make a donation to ‘Meaningful Change-Royal Leamington Spa’, a local multi-agency campaign made up of charities working together to provide meaningful and long-term support, to help these people to turn their lives around.
www.meaningfulchange.org.uk, email leamington@meaningfulchange.org.uk or Tel: 01926 470634