Dedicated helpline and community hub launched in Doncaster for those affected by coronavirus

Doncaster Community Hub will be providing a point of contact seven days a week between the hours of 8am and 8pm for vulnerable people and have no other support or if they know of someone who needs help.

The hub will also include an online chat service which will sign post people to the correct support dealing with matters like urgent food supplies, shopping, collection of medication and checking up on vulnerable people.

The service will also be a port of call for those who want to volunteer and help to coordinate with existing voluntary and community organisations.

Council bosses say the service will prioritise those people who have no one else to help and who are the most vulnerable. Those over age 70, have an underlying health condition, families struggling to cope and those people who have received a letter from NHS England stating they are in a priority group.

Doncaster Community Hub, is a partnership between Doncaster Council, Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust (DCLT), Age UK and other voluntary, community and faith organisations across the borough.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “We have been planning for Coronavirus over the past month, In the last week we’ve been working closely with partners to pull together this Community Hub resource to help people in our communities.

“The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we go about our day to day lives and while we are all learning to adjust to these changes, for many people it will bring a great deal of uncertainty.

“Doncaster Community Hub will provide various levels of help and support for people who might not have access to support from other avenues. Phone, email and online support will be provided as well as on the ground teams who will be able to deliver food, pick up prescriptions and help with a variety of other tasks.

“I am extremely grateful and moved, but not surprised that partners and volunteers are seeking to help our most vulnerable families and residents at what are unprecedented times.”

“We know that the next few weeks will be difficult for everyone and we will be working hard to make sure that we can help to ensure that everyone knows where to access the support available to them. We are all in this together, I ask for people to be kind and be patient through this difficult time.”

To access help and support from Doncaster Community Hub call 01302 430300, email [email protected] online chat www.dncommunityhub.org.uk