Free food deliveries considered for Helensburgh's most vulnerable

The local authority announced a range of measures this week to make sure essential food supplies reach people who have been asked to ‘shield’, by staying at home for 12 weeks, and who have no other support systems in place.

If you, or people you know, have been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks and do not have support in place to receive food, the council is asking you to call its Caring for People coronavirus helpline on 01546 605524 (available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, a spokesperson said: “Working with health and social care colleagues, the council has contacted people who have been asked by the Government to shield, to ensure they have access to support such as food and medicines if required.

“The council is also providing food parcels to low income families through the Scottish Government’s Food Fund.

“If you are struggling and need access to food, contact the Caring for People coronavirus helpline.”

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People who are ‘shielding’ appear on a Scottish Government database and are able to access national weekly food packages.

Council staff are already supplying fresh milk, eggs and cheese, as well as sanitary products, to supplement those packages, where required.

In Tuesday’s statement, the council said it wanted to do more than simply making free meals available for eligible children at 10 ‘hub schools’ across the area.

Colgrain Primary School is the only one of those ‘hub schools’ in Helensburgh and Lomond, and concerns have already been raised about the practical difficulties of accessing Colgrain, particularly for families on lower incomes in remoter communities.

The authority said on Tuesday that it was “looking at different ways of making these meals available”, rather than simply asking people to attend at the school.

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The council’s spokesperson added: “Possible options include delivering school meals and food parcels directly to families; we launched a new food parcel pilot scheme in Dunoon last week, to make sure essential food items reach families.

"We will keep parents and carers up-to-date with school meal arrangements as they become available.”

In addition, if you are not currently taking up your entitlement to free school meals and are interested in more support to access food, please get in touch with your 'hub school' or contact the council's Caring for People helpline on 01546 605524.

The council says it is also aware that there are people not required to 'shield' who may still face significant challenges during the pandemic – such as those who receive a flu jab for other health conditions, those who are pregnant, people with a disability, those who require support for mental health services, or anyone over the age of 70.

The spokesperson added: "Anyone needing help and support who has no way of meeting that need due to circumstances with Covid-19 is encouraged to contact the Caring for People Coronavirus Helpline, 01546 605524 - open 9am to 5pm, Mon-Fri.

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"The Caring for People team can then provide the right assistance based on the request, working with organisations and volunteers in the community."

There is also an online request for help form on the council’s website – click here to access the help form.

For more information on shielding, see gov.scot/publications/covid-shielding-contacts/.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus – a high temperature or fever, or a new, continuous cough (coughing for longer than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours – and they worsen or do not improve after seven days, call the NHS on 111.

For general health advice see www.nhsinform.scot.

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