As part of the response the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council has set up a Community Hub as a means of reaching out and making contact with the borough’s most vulnerable residents. 

The Government has identified those within our community who need to be ‘shielded’. These are people, including children, who are at very high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 because of an underlying health condition. These individuals and their carers will have received a letter from NHS England with important advice on how to protect themselves against Covid-19. 

In addition, within Epsom and Ewell, there are over 1,600 individuals on our vulnerable register. These are residents who we have identified that in a crisis or in an emergency may need additional assistance, most of whom regularly depend on our community support services, including Meals at Home (meals on wheels), community alarm, etc. 

Over the past few days, employees and volunteers operating from the Community Hub have started making important check-up calls with all of these residents, to make sure they are: 

•             getting the support they need

•             being correctly signposted to relevant services and organisations

•             provided with assurance and comfort over the telephone during this difficult time

Residents are asked to be scam alert at this time; if you are contacted by the Council you will not be asked for any financial information, or asked to provide bank or credit card details. 

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Health Liaison Panel said “No one in Epsom and Ewell should feel they are on their own in these difficult times – in many cases, a friendly phone call makes a world of difference to someone who may feel isolated or is finding the present situation difficult. The Community Hub is a way for us to provide support and practical help to the most vulnerable 

“People in all our communities are already helping each other and, while we need to socially distance, we also need to look out for each other. If you’re in a fortunate position, then I ask you to volunteer to help those in our borough who are less fortunate. Please contact Central Surrey Voluntary Action who are coordinating volunteers on behalf of the council”. 

Surrey Voluntary Action:  01372 722911, www.centralsurreyvoluntaryaction.co.uk

For those needing assistance there is a Surrey-wide Community Helpline number: 0300 200 1008 (Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am