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Community support more than 1900 people, through helpline and hubs

More than 1900 local people have been given vital help by the Oldham community response during the crisis.
The council, Oldham Foodbank and Action Together have worked together to coordinate the delivery of emergency food and essential items for the vulnerable as well as responding to people with food vouchers.
The delivery offer is for those who are genuinely in emergency and don’t have any friends or neighbours who can support them.
In the vast majority of cases the service has been used responsibly by the people who most need it, so it has worked well and not become overwhelmed.

How the helpline works – 0161 770 7007
A helpline went live on Friday 27 March. Since then 1200 calls have been answered. The line is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 11am to 2pm on weekends.
The aim is to get back to people in 24 hours and a package is coordinated in the following days. The food is a basic package of items and other essential such as sanitary products and basic toiletries.
Community hubs have been opened to co-ordinate the work. As well as the emergency food and supplies delivery offer, the hubs have ensured 1300 people have benefitted from vital supplies after presenting food vouchers.
The hubs have link people to mutual aid, co-ordinate emergency response volunteers and act as a source of local intelligence.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council
“It is so important we got this service up and running quickly to help our most vulnerable who have no-one else to call upon and who need our support at this very difficult time.
“More than 1900 of our most vulnerable residents have been helped by hard working colleagues from across our partners and our thanks go out to them for all their efforts. Thank you as well to all the residents and local businesses that have donated items to Oldham Foodbank.
“This collective effort shows how the whole community is pulling together to help people who need it the most.”

Laura Windsor Welsh from Strategic Action Together
“In the last few weeks we have been able to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities affected by the impact of coronavirus. This help is so vital at this time, and by us working together with a huge range of our voluntary and community groups and the council, we can really make a difference where it's most needed.”
“We have also been able to bring some much-needed positivity to people and over the Easter weekend a number of partners including volunteers, local councillors and GM Police delivered Easter eggs to local families and elderly people.”

Pharmacy Deliveries
Patients meeting the ‘shielding criteria’ need to stay at home and away from community pharmacy and dispensing doctor premises – they will be offered a home delivery option for their prescription items unless a family member, friend, relative or volunteer can collect the medicine for them.
Medicines delivery services from both pharmacies and dispensing doctors across England are available now until 1 July 2020 and may be extended.
If you are having problems with delivery of urgent medication, and you have no other support, you can also call the helpline on 0161 770 7007.

Protect Yourself From Scams
Criminals are using the current Coronavirus pandemic to try and trick people into handing over money and or personal information.

This leaflet ([link removed][UNIQID] ) contains helpful information to help protect residents from fraud and scammers. Please read it and share the information with your friends and family.

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More info and advice
Go to ** www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus ([link removed][UNIQID])
for a wide range of information, advice and support.
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** Twitter ([link removed][UNIQID])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
** Website ([link removed][UNIQID])

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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom