A new email address and phone number have been launched to help any isolated Nottinghamshire residents get the support they need during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The email address, enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk, should be the first means of registering yourself for this support and those unable to access the internet, can use the telephone number, 0300 500 8080, which will link them directly to a team of 120 people who can help individuals with the supply of food, necessities and other vital assistance.

Staff from Newark and Sherwood District Council have formed a new team – the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team (Hart) – which will work with colleagues from Nottinghamshire County Council to lead on efforts locally and to coordinate the work that is required to help vulnerable residents.

All staff working on the Hart team will be authorised and accredited by the council to do so. All Newark and Sherwood residents should ensure that they liaise directly with the county and district councils.

The Hart’s immediate focus will be those who live in Newark and Sherwood that have been identified by the NHS as among the 1.5 million who have been told to self-isolate for a recommended period of 12 weeks, as well as older people and those with income challenges.

Local Government Minister and Newark MP Robert Jenrick announced at the weekend that new community hubs would be set up to lead on the ‘humanitarian’ effort. The Government is liaising with supermarkets to ensure that basic food packages can be supplied to all those eligible. This new email address and phone number is set up to allow vulnerable residents and community groups to access their local community hub.

In addition to helping isolated residents, the district council is also mapping the community groups that are already in place and will then help plug the gaps where there is a need. If you are a community group, faith group, charity, parish or town council that are planning to support people who are self-isolating please make contact either via email preferably to enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk including ‘Volunteering’ in the subject line, or by calling 0300 500 8080.

You need to provide the following information:
· Your name / organisation
· Contact details – postal, telephone and email address
· Have you been DBS checked?
· Area of Nottinghamshire in which you are able to provide support
· What support you can offer.

District council leader Coun David Lloyd said: “This is a national emergency and we need to respond swiftly and effectively to support the most vulnerable in our communities who will be deeply impacted by the need to self-isolate given the critical state of the coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom.

“I am confident and determined that our communities will rise to the challenge and help pull us through these really challenging times. I would encourage anyone who has no support not to suffer, but to email us or call the new helpline. In addition if you are part of a community group that is able to help us at this time, then please either call the helpline or email us. I want to thank everyone involved in this project for their speed, focus and dedication to helping our community.”

The telephone support service on 0300 500 8080 is open between 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Further information can be found at https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus/nottingham-and-nottinghamshire-community-support-and-volunteering-hub

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