Swale Borough Council received almost £110,000 from Kent County Council (KCC) which is being used to fund nine local voluntary and community groups to help support local people who need to self-isolate.
Local charities, community groups and volunteer organisations will deliver a wide range of support from food and medication deliveries, to wellbeing calls and dog walking.
Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:
“We’re working with local organisations to fund the support people need to maintain their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while self-isolating.
“Citizens Advice Swale, Age UK’s Faversham, Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Swale CVS, Diversity House, Faversham Umbrella Centre, West Faversham Community Association, Strengthening Minds, Oasis Charity on Sheppey and the Salvation Army will be working directly with those needing support.
“Anybody that has to self-isolate can receive support towards goods and services such as dog walking, virtual counselling or therapy, mowing the lawn, food and medication deliveries, wellbeing calls and more.
“If you need support of any kind while self-isolating, contact Citizens Advice Swale who can direct you to the service provider best suited for your need.”
Mark Hinton, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Bureau, said:
“If you have to self-isolate and need any help you can self-refer yourself to us and we can help direct you to the relevant organisation.
“Unlike before, help and support is not means tested or based on being clinically vulnerable, so we encourage anybody who is self-isolating to contact us and see how we can help.
“Call us on: 01795 417664 or Email: selfisolation@citizensadviceswale.uk to get in touch.”
Clare Burgess Chief Executive from Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne, said:
“We’ve been supporting the local community since the pandemic began, providing the on the ground, day to day support that people need.
“We’ve delivered hot food, shopping and medicine, and provided wellbeing support including telephone calls and doorstep checks.
“Loneliness and isolation are real issues for lots of people and this has been heightened in the past year so it’s vital that we receive the funding we need to support people who are self-isolating.”
Swale Borough Council
