Limerick Covid-19 Community Response now open from 8am to 8pm to coordinate city and county wide network of volunteers.
Limerick City and County Council, in partnership with the HSE and An Garda Síochána, is reminding vulnerable and elderly people that 7 day support is available for those who need help during the latest Covid-19 surge.
The Limerick Covid-19 Community Response is a coordinated centre where council staff, supported by volunteers, answer calls to a dedicated helpline - 1800 832 005 - from vulnerable people seeking assistance with daily needs. These will include shopping, prescriptions, supplies, information or other suitable requests.
The centre, which has increased its hours and is now operating from 8am to 8pm, seven days per week, is based at Limerick City and County Council and supported by volunteers from other sporting and community organisations.
Said Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins; “There has been an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases in Limerick over the last number of weeks and, combined with the Level 5 restrictions and cold weather, there are a lot of people shielding from the virus at home. The Limerick Covid-19 Community Response has been in place since March and has now increased its operating hours. I wish to remind those who are at home and need support, that this coordinated response service is there. Please take a note of the helpline and any vulnerable people who need assistance with daily needs will be accommodated if they get in touch with us.”
Said Chief Officer of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare Maria Bridgeman: “We are now in our third wave of Covid-19, a wave that is presenting unprecedented positivity levels of the virus across all our communities. As a result of this the HSE is experiencing increased demands and pressures to respond to the needs of the public. Working in partnership with our inter agency colleagues as we have done in the previous 10 months of Covid is paramount to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people, particularly those most vulnerable in our communities. I would urge the public not to hesitate in contacting the community response team and avail of this support if required.”
Said Chief Supt. Gerard Roche of An Garda Síochána, Limerick: “2020 was a tough year for us all. Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about the devastating effects that Coivd-19 has had on the world. We must remember those who have passed away and those we can save by continuing to do our part – that means staying within your 5km limit and limiting your contact with others as much as possible. Our Community Response Team in Limerick are there to help anyone who needs us. Since its establishment, the team has coordinated an amazing response in helping those self-isolating during the pandemic. The Community Response Team continues to be an essential service and people should not think twice about picking up the phone and calling us if they need help.”
Once requests for assistance are recorded, contact is made with volunteer coordinators in the relevant community who, in turn, will make contact with a volunteer on the ground to carry out the task.
The Limerick Covid-19 Community Response builds on the very many great initiatives taken by existing organisations and new groups in Limerick in the weeks and months gone by.
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