Agenda item

COVID-19 RESPONSE

To receive a presentation from Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, on the welfare and community response work to the coronavirus pandemic, the issues that have been raised and how the recovery work will be integrated with the preparation of strategy and action plan to address deprivation and supporting communities.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation from Mr Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, on the local response to, and impacts of, Covid-19.  It was noted that the coronavirus pandemic had had a huge impact on local services.  The Council had moved rapidly to response mode at the start and was now in a recovery phase. A key area of work had been the community and welfare response, involving a massive local operation which had evolved and changed over the months since lockdown in March 2020, involving working in partnership with community organisations.  This work had also provided useful and significant data which would help to improve understanding of the Borough’s communities.  The work with partners would also help to develop a robust deprivation/supporting communities strategy and action plan.

 

An important part of the response to Covid-19 was the Local Response Centre, under a framework led by Hampshire County Council in partnership with the districts and other agencies.  Locally there had been a co-ordinated approach between Rushmoor Voluntary Services and the Council.  A County level central helpline had been established and, as a district, Rushmoor also had a helpline resourced by the Council which complemented the Hampshire helpline.  The Local Response Centre in Rushmoor provided support to the homeless/rough sleepers and those with specific health concerns.  The Local Resource Centre also had a food supply and distribution centre based at Princes Hall which worked with local support groups.  A network of volunteers, co-ordinated through Rushmoor Voluntary Services and the Council, had supported the work of the Local Response Centre and a number of these volunteers had indicated that they wished to continue volunteering in the future. 

 

The presentation gave data in respect of the outcomes of the helpline work, including a breakdown of the number of cases by Ward.   A number of helpline cases had involved a range of wider issues, such as underlying health problems and social isolation which had necessitated the development of and access to other services.  Some welfare visits had also been made to those identified as vulnerable.  The helpline had referred approximately 6% of calls to a befriending service and three calls received had had a bereavement association.  It was noted that around 7% of referrals had either previous or underlying mental health issues that had surfaced and required signposting or further referral.

 

The Board was advised of the work of other key service providers as part of the local response, including local response groups in Aldershot, Farnborough and North Camp which co-ordinated on the ground volunteer operations, The Vine, VIVID, Citizens’ Advice and the Supporting Families service. Rushmoor Voluntary Services had played a central role throughout Covid-19 by providing Operation Rushmoor Community Action (ORCA), which had been developed, delivered and resourced with the Council and was now transitioning to a business as usual service. The services that had emerged through the pandemic included:

 

·         Befriending service and companion support

·         Re-ablement

·         Looking to be a Borough-wide food partnership

·         Re-provision of core services (i.e. Home Help, community transport)

·         Improved support around mental health

·         Co-ordination of responders in-house

·         Social prescribing

 

Rushmoor Voluntary Services had also provided joint support work for other groups, such as Fleet Lions for IT equipment.   It was noted that the Council  would be working with Rushmoor on a long-term service model.

 

The Head of Democracy and Community advised that the pandemic had exacerbated some of the issues associated with inequality and in particular opportunities for young people, unemployment, mental health and housing.  The Council’s future deprivation strategy would need to reflect Indices of Multiple Deprivation data and data evidencing the impact of Covid-19, with expected priorities of mental health, loneliness, skills and employment (income) and raising aspirations.  It was noted that the Council would look to secure external funding to support some of the work.

 

During discussion questions were raised on referrals, the integration of services going forward, the collaboration and sharing of services with the Clinical Commissioning Group and the forthcoming survey of local residents.

 

Action to be taken

 

By whom

When

 

The Board noted the presentation and requested that the forthcoming questionnaire to residents be circulated to Members for comment.

 

 

Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community

 

July 2020

 

An update would be given to the Board on baseline data and emerging priorities at the meeting on 23rd September 2020.

 

 

Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community

 

 

23rd September 2020