 Today we launched the Waltham Forest Community Help Network, our way of both supporting our most vulnerable residents directly, as well as providing a way for residents to help each other.
The Community Help Network includes the launch of a new helpline service to provide additional support for the over 70s, who are self-isolating and do not have easy access to community support.
Delivered in partnership with Age UK Waltham Forest, Eat or Heat and PL84U, vulnerable residents will be supported to get items such as essential food supplies, prescription collections, emergency home repairs and social contact.
The network will also support the fantastic local efforts of the community helping each other. From this week, residents will be able to sign up as a volunteer to help others in need in these groups, a crowdfunding platform to enable donations is in development, and residents are being asked to tell their stories of community kindness across the borough so they can be celebrated and shared with others.
The Community Help Network will be initially focussing efforts on the most vulnerable, with support expected to be developed further over the coming weeks.
Over 70’s helpline
You can find out more about the service on our website where you can also register for help. Or you can call 020 8496 3000 between 9am-5pm. The service is in place and will grow over the weeks to come. If you know someone in need, you can register on their behalf.
Volunteer
Residents can sign up as to volunteer here. Voluntary activities may include delivering food via foot or car, packing at food banks, administration and phone contact for those isolating.
Share your stories
The council is inviting residents to share the stories of community kindness in these uncertain times, and would also like to hear about residents’ experiences of self-isolating and home schooling. People can submit stories by email, and using the hashtag #AllTogetherNowWF on social media.
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In line with government advice, the following venues in Waltham Forest are closed until further notice:
These decision mean we can redeploy those staff to support our essential services, such as the call centre.
Keep up to date with Council Services here.
The below shows how social distancing works and the impact it has if we all do the right thing and stay at home or try to limit non essential travel.
 Effectively cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, washing items and laundry, and disposing of waste can also help to slow the spread of the virus, particularly in instances where there have been interactions with someone who is suspected of having the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please read the Government’s COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare settings for approved guidance.
The government advice around coronavirus remains the same:
- If you have either a continuous cough or a temperature, please stay at home and self-isolate.
- If you live alone, the advice is to isolate yourself for seven days. If you live with others, the whole household is advised to self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person develops symptoms.
- To help prevent the spread, please do not go to a GP or A&E if you are feeling unwell.
- You can use the NHS 111 service if you are worried about the severity of your symptoms or they have lasted longer than seven days.
Information and advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing quickly and its important you keep up to date with those changes. The Council will be using email newsletters to keep residents and businesses up to date.
If residents have questions please visit our website, and use live chat to talk to one of our team, it's quicker than phoning.
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