South Ribble Borough Council urges residents to contact the South Ribble Together community hub for help and support ahead of the festive period
14th of December, 2020
South Ribble Together is a programme put in place by the council to help support the most vulnerable in the borough through the on-going COVID-19 crisis and since March, the hub has provided support for over 10,000 people.
The winter period brings a raft of challenges to vulnerable people and the council are urging residents to get in touch now if they need additional support so help can be arranged as soon as possible.
Those struggling and looking for help should visit www.southribble.gov.uk/southribbletogether for advice or call 01772 625 625 or email [email protected] without delay.
You can contact the team Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30 and 17:15 or email at any time.
The council promises it will do what it can to provide help to whoever in our community who needs it and are working with Citizen’s Advice – who are now based at the Council’s Civic Centre in Leyland – who are supporting the hub by taking and triaging calls and emails from those in need of help.
The team will deal with cases on the phone there and then or will signpost residents to key organisations across the borough who can provide the vital help and support they need.
The team are there to help individuals suffering:
- Financially;
- With winter fuel issues;
- With ill physical or mental health or;
- Struggling to access vital services or
- Struggling to access food and medicines.
Councillor Paul Foster, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council said, “This year has been one of the most challenging we’ve all had to face, and we know there are people right across the community that need additional support.
“The winter period brings a raft of new challenges for those who are vulnerable, and the pandemic has sadly meant that more people are struggling than ever before. We will always be here for our communities and I’m urging anyone who needs additional support to contact us right away. By contacting us early we can make sure that help and support is available for you as soon as possible. The strength in our communities we have seen since March is overwhelming and I want to thank all of the community organisations, charities and volunteers right across the borough who have pulled together alongside the council to help so many people who have needed it.”
The council will be contacting everyone who has already received support from the hub to see if they need any additional support over the winter period.
If you have never contacted the hub, or have done before but need support straight away, contact the community hub as soon as possible.
Already the council has gathered a database of those in the community they think will be vulnerable to the Covid-19 crisis. These people will be sent a letter outlining how they can seek support from the council during this trying time.
Councillor Foster continued, “We’re also encouraging people to check on those in their communities. If you suspect someone needs help – possibly a neighbour – let us know. We will do all we can to help. Please know you are not alone, and our teams are here to help you.”
The council is also offering support businesses – please visit www.southribble.gov.uk for more information.