Community hub to help vulnerable people in Southampton

Southampton City Council has launched a community support hub to ensure that the most vulnerable people have access to the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The community hub will bring support from voluntary groups across the city to prioritise those who have received a letter from the NHS stating they are unable to rely on family or friends for adequate support.

The hub will also provide a dedicated helpline for those in critical need, helping them to access emergency food and social contact, and support for financial issues.

The council is also liaising with pharmacies across the city to help get the essential items that people need.

Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for Green City & Environment commented: ‘Our main priority is to protect and help the most vulnerable in our society.

‘There has been an enormous effort to ensure self-isolated households, with no other means of support, are able to access the support they need.

‘Colleagues across all areas of the council have been working extremely hard during these unprecedented times to ensure we continue to protect and support our most at-risk residents to stay safe, independent and healthy.

‘We know there are some households who may be struggling to access support and our community hub will aim to address this gap. It’s been amazing to see the community response so far with many local Mutual Aid and Community Support groups made up of neighbourhood volunteers already offering support to our residents across the city.

‘We are connected with them and want to thank these groups for their commitment which will continue to play a key part in our community response.’

In related news, the National Emergencies Trust (NET) has raised £11m in the first week of their coronavirus appeal.

The first allocations of this funding will be going out this week to front line charities who are working to help those most in need.

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