Message from Hertfordshire Volunteering and People Assistance Cell

As part of Operation Shield, over 61,000 deliveries of food parcels, household essentials and prescribed medication to those residents most in need have been achieved since this work began. As of 15 May, 1,099 successful prescription deliveries have been made supporting over 1,200 individuals.

As of 20 May, following further updates from Government, there are known to be 41,303 names on the ‘extremely vulnerable’ list for the county and therefore within the scope of Operation Shield. Current advice from Government is that anyone who has been advised to shield by the NHS or their GP, including those aged 70 and over, should continue to do this until at least the end of June.

More and more options are becoming available for residents to source their own food, household essentials and pharmacy deliveries and work continues to highlight these offers. The process to reduce the level of demand for the food service provided by Herts FullStop, where possible, continues; up to 500 calls a day are being made to shielded residents to support and advise on alternative options. Hertfordshire Directory now includes local food delivery options for some areas and
Hertfordshire businesses are being encouraged to list their services
here.

As part of the process to close Operation Shield any remaining duties after July will pass onto Operation Sustain. This operation will continue to support residents by mobilising the voluntary sector and the newly registered volunteers to relieve pressures on the NHS through any second peak, drawing its work to a close by Christmas. From January 2021 onwards the existing ‘business as usual structures’ for VCS engagement and activity will then resume, working to build on the legacy created by this period and take forward opportunities to work together in partnership.

As of 19 May, 11,633 volunteers have registered to the three organisations working collaboratively on this: #TeamHerts, Watford3RT and Communities 1st. To date the number of volunteers deployed is 5,823. The recovery and rebuild volunteer legacy continues to be developed by Team Herts Volunteering and the CVS’s and this will be shared with key stakeholders. The appetite remains to build on the community resilience shown during the last few months and to keep everyone who has been inspired by volunteering on board.

FOR THOSE RESIDENTS WHO DO NEED SUPPORT

Residents who are self-isolating and in need of support can visit www.hertshelp.net, email or phone HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.

Anyone currently using a social care service should expect that to continue, however they should speak to their care provider first or call on 0300 123 4042 for other urgent care needs. Service updates can be found at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/serviceupdate