Stone council plans to set up coronavirus support helpline
Stone community leaders are considering setting up a telephone helpline to assist vulnerable town residents during the coronavirus pandemic – and up to £10,000 could be made available for the scheme.
Community groups in Stone have already started work to support residents unable to leave their homes.
And Stone Town Council is now planning to work alongside Age Concern and A Little Bit of Stone to co-ordinate the efforts of volunteers and residents’ groups, offering a helpline service and support such as collecting shopping for those self-isolating at home.
Councillor Rob Kenney, chairman of the general purposes committee, said: "The council are aware of the many difficulties that could be faced by residents during the current crisis, and are looking to take this important step to support the many dedicated volunteers throughout the town who are giving their time freely to help others.”
Town councillors were due to meet on Tuesday to discuss investigating the possibility of setting up the helpline and support scheme. They were also set to consider making £10,000 available from council reserves to meet the cost of the project.
But the physical meeting was cancelled following the Prime Minister’s announcement the day before that people should only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons, such as essential work, shopping for food or medicines or taking exercise once a day.
Instead councillors communicated via online means to take their proposals forward.
A statement from the council released on Tuesday night said: “Stone Town Council are to fund a helpline supported by A Little Bit of Stone in recruiting local volunteers to help vulnerable people who are confined to their homes.
“The aim of the helpline is to help all Stone residents during the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The dedicated free phone helpline will direct residents in need of help to volunteers in their area who will be able to signpost residents to other services if they are unable to give direct help themselves.
“An army of Stone volunteers will be signed up alongside residents groups who have already offered help in their community. The helpline will form part of the recently formed government initiative of the Community Support Hub run by Stafford Borough Council.
“Callers will be directed to coordinators within their Stone area and it is hoped the call centre will be operational within seven to ten days but optimistically it may be achieved sooner.”
