https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/3-generations-embrace-social-farming/
Waterford LEADER Partnership CLG, in association with Irish Rural Link & The Wheel, are assisting our Local Authority in its response to the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency.
The aim of the Community Outreach Programme is to ensure that vulnerable groups receive necessary (non-medical) assistance through the distribution of clear, concise and accurate information and advice in relation to Covid-19
The programme will facilitate communities and community-based organisations in the coordination of their efforts to assist the target group and help local areas be self-reliant in dealing with the crisis.
Waterford City and County Council have established a dedicated community support helpline, to assist at risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical support and advice.
The confidential phone service is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community, or those living alone can, if needed, access deliveries of groceries, medicines and fuels.
The Helpline number is 1800 250 185 and you can also contact them on covidsupport@waterfordcouncil.ie
We would like to commend and support the community and voluntary response to the current Covid-19 public health emergency.
Should you require any additional information, please feel free to contact Vincent Mernin at WLP at vincent.mernin@wlp.ie
PRESS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 30 March 2020
COVID-19: NATIONAL INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO LINK THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY GROUPS IN FIGHT AGAINST VIRUS
Following the announcement of new COVID-19 emergency measures on Friday evening (27 March), a new national initiative will be launched today to link and support the work of thousands of community and voluntary organisations who are responding to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our communities, including people who are advised to ‘cocoon’. The new initiative, COVID-19 Community Outreach (CCO) is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and will be coordinated by The Wheel, the national association of charities, and Irish Rural Link.
The aim of COVID-19 Community Outreach is to make sure that vulnerable people — such as older people, people with long-term medical conditions, and people with additional needs — have access to the highest quality information and support in the safety of their homes.
Commenting on the launch of COVID-19 Community Outreach, Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural link said, “Across Ireland, thousands of community groups are mobilising to support people in their local areas. COVID-19 Community Outreach will link and support these organisations to make sure that their assistance is directed where it is most needed and that nobody is left behind.”
Deirdre Garvey CEO of The Wheel added, “We have already deployed a Community Champion in each of the 26 counties. As members of your Local Authority’s COVID-19 forum, the Community Champions will play a key role in coordinating local community supports.”
The role of the Community Campions is to:
· Disseminate accurate information throughout their local area, with a particular emphasis on hard-to-reach and vulnerable audiences;
· Support and further mobilise existing volunteer efforts, to ensure safe and effective non-medical services using best-practice guidelines;
· Identify emerging gaps in community services and communicate them promptly to relevant Government sources; and
· Liaise with Local Authorities and relevant regional services to ensure that people recovering at home or returning from hospital receive necessary social supports.
“Charities, community and voluntary organisations that currently supporting vulnerable people in the community, or planning to do so, are advised to contact their local Community Champion as soon as possible,” said Deirdre Garvey.
For contact details visit www.wheel.ie/covid-19-community-outreach.
-ENDS-
y phone 086 0206005 or by email vincent.mernin@wlp.ie
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS NOTICE:
For people who wish to process new unemployment claims, the online portal is a far quicker method.
On foot of the further restrictions announced on Friday evening the Department is expecting a big influx of people looking for income supports early next week.
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/
www.MyWelfare.ie is by far the easiest and quickest way for all customers to apply. All a customer needs is their email address, PPSN and bank account details. Now on www.MyWelfare.ie all customers can;
Apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment;
Apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit for Covid-19 including for self-isolation cases;
Apply for a jobseeker’s payment; and
Request to close their Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
If you are reading this message this is your chance to take part in the battle against the Corona Virus.
We are asking you to circulate the important information below to your community group, neighbours and friends and to ask them to pass it on to others in their networks. It includes:
1. Government Action Plan for Community Response to COVID 19
2. Information leaflet “You, Your Community and CORVID 19 – We would ask that you distribute this across your communities, to individuals and in particular, those that do not have access or knowledge of digital platforms. Maybe include them as part of a meals on wheels drop.
3. How can I Volunteer in response to COVID-19 (002)
4. Sensible Volunteering in response to Covid-19
5. ADVICE ON THE RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GROUPS
7. How to Protect Against Fraud and Generate Trust
We remind you that the HSE website is the key source for health advice: www.hse.ie/coronavirus. It also includes posters and other resources that can be used in your community.
Our WLP team are working as usual and you can email us or call our offices to assist you with advice or queries on our supports.
We thank you for your assistance in spreading these important messages.
The Management and staff of WLP
