Gloucestershire’s councils and partners have created a community help hub to connect local people who need help, with others who can provide the support they need.
As further measures are put in place to delay the spread of Covid-19, local people have already started to pull together to arrange help in their area for those who need it, but not everyone has existing connections.
In response, the council’s across the county have come together with the police and health partners to create the hub to connect local people who need help, with individuals, groups and businesses who can provide the support they need.
The hub includes four forms:
• ‘I can offer help’ – is for those who are able to support neighbours with tasks such as picking up prescriptions, shopping, dog walking and more
• ‘I need help’ – can be used by individuals to ask for support
• ‘My neighbour needs help’ – may be used by people to request help on behalf of a neighbour, relative or friend who cannot access the internet themselves
• ‘My business can help’ – will allow local businesses who may have skills and resources others could benefit from, to offer their help
The information collected will be shared with the relevant local council who will connect people who can help each other, or if appropriate refer individuals to an existing service.
Residents are encouraged to share details of the community help hub on social media using the hashtag #GlosCommunity
The hub will be accessible from every district council website, and from the county council’s website at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/helphub