EXTREMELY vulnerable residents who need help getting food supplies or medicines are being urged to get in touch with Cornwall Council or Volunteer Cornwall.
The Council together with NHS Kernow and Volunteer Cornwall are supporting communities across Cornwall to ensure residents who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic are getting assistance.
The Council’s helpline is 0300 1231118 and this will be manned over the Bank Holiday weekend from 9am-1pm.
People who are ’shielding’ for high-risk medical reasons and have had a letter from the Government telling them to do should register with the Council for food parcels and help.
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But support can also be provided to people who don’t come under the ’shielding’ group, yet need support to get their groceries or prescriptions.
Cornwall Council leader Julian German said: ’Volunteer Cornwall has over 3,000 volunteers and around 280 community groups covering the whole of Cornwall and will also be drawing on the NHS Volunteer database, so no-one has to go without the help they need.
’Cornwall Council and Volunteer Cornwall are now reminding vulnerable people both on and not on the shielding list, and those who are not sure, to follow these steps to ensure they get the help they need.
1. What to do if shielding:
1. As soon as you receive your letter please register by going to www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or calling 0800 0288327, the Government’s dedicated helpline, to confirm receipt of your shielding letter and discuss any help you may need. Please note you have to register for help to get assistance. You may be in touch with friends, family or a support network in your community who can help you to get food and medicine, but you still need to register to ensure that support can be provided should your circumstances change.
2. If you need help collecting medical prescriptions, contact Volunteer Cornwall on 01872 266988 or email [email protected]. If you have a complex needs or medical question, contact the Government’s helpline on 0800 0288327 or your GP.
This line can also be used by anyone feeling lonely or worried about social isolation.
3. As a shielded person you can receive weekly food parcels from the Government if you register and signify that you have no support in place. But if you are not receiving these parcels make sure you have registered at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or contact the Council on 0300 1231118 or by emailing [email protected] and state that you are shielding. Together with Volunteer Cornwall we can help if you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements. Please note the Council phone number will be manned over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend from 9am - 1pm daily.
2. What to do if you’re unsure if you should be shielding or not:
If you think you should be in the shielded category but have still not received a letter, or you are unsure if you should be shielding or not, please exercise caution and contact your GP for advice.
Some shielding letters are still being sent out.
3. What to do if you are not shielding but still need help:
1. If you have not received a letter stating that you should be shielding but are having difficulties getting shopping or medical supplies, please contact Volunteer Cornwall on 01872 266988 or email [email protected].