Stockport Council is putting safety first and has developed 1,000 Covid-19 safety packs, to protect homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the borough.
The packs include essential safety items such as two face coverings, hand sanitiser and a selection of leaflets about mental health, covid-19 safety and One Stockport. They are being distributed to Stockport Trussell Trust foodbanks in Reddish and Hazel Grove, the Chelwood foodbank, independent foodbanks in Gatley and Marple and Stockport Homes’ local pantries, with collection points in Brinnington, Bridgehall and Woodley. Other beneficiaries include The Wellspring, a resource centre for homeless and disadvantaged people in Stockport, women’s groups, Nexus, an equality hub for diverse communities, Disability Stockport and across BAME community groups. Communities across Edgeley, Cale Green, Heald Green, Lancashire Hill, Heaton Norris, Heaton Mersey will also be supported.
Councillor Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods, says:
“Residents across the borough are at the heart of everything we do, and we believe income shouldn’t be a barrier to health during a pandemic.
“We’re donating safety packs to a range of community groups to help stop the spread of Covid-19 amongst the most disadvantaged in Stockport. We are also liaising with specific faith based and BAME groups to discuss how safe they feel, their mental health and offer any support. If everyone had access to safety items hospital admissions would drop, the numbers of people contracting Covid-19 and fatalities would fall, and the pandemic would slow down. This initiative will ensure no-one is left behind in the fight against coronavirus.
“Everyone can play their part by following NHS guidelines - make sure you continue to wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces (unless exempt) and stay at least two metres apart from others.
“Remember if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste get a coronavirus test and stay home for 10 days. We want to help keep all residents in Stockport safe and in line with Government advice to reduce the spread of coronavirus.”
Alex Knight, Operations Manager at The Wellspring, said:
“The safety packs we received from Stockport Council are a much-needed donation for the most vulnerable in the community, who would normally struggle to afford such items. Most of our service users, such as rough sleepers or those on lower incomes, have been precluded from using the bus to attend our centre, for a hot meal or to pick up a food parcel because they just can’t afford face coverings. It is also important to remember that those who are homeless have a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 as they have lower immune systems from living on the streets.”