10,000 calls to coronavirus helpline

The Coronavirus Community Support Helpline set up by Sheffield City Council in response to the Coronavirus crisis hits 10,000 calls since it began on 27th March.

During this time, the helpline has provided people with a wide range of support relating to the current pandemic. This has included:

- Arranging emergency food parcel deliveries for people who have been self-isolating and with no way of getting food.

- Arranging for people to get help with shopping.

- Arranging the collection and delivery of medication.

- Supporting those feeling isolated via our befriending service.

- Putting people in touch with local food banks

Terry Fox, Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources said:

“10,000 calls taken highlights a brilliant effort by everyone involved in providing this helpline, and I would like to thank everyone concerned for the vital, ongoing support which they are providing to the people of Sheffield in these very challenging times.”

Head of Customer Services at Sheffield City Council Paul Taylor, said:

“The helpline was set up very quickly as the effects of Coronavirus started to be felt across the city, and it has played an important part in the fantastic joined up response from a number of council and voluntary sector teams in helping and supporting our citizens who have been affected by the current situation.

Mr Taylor added:

“A number of our team members made the switch at short notice from other duties to work on the new helpline and very quickly learned what they needed to know in order to provide the support people need. Calls to the helpline have fallen over the last few weeks but we are still receiving around 100 calls per day on most days and so there is still a clear need for it.”

The Coronavirus Community Support Helpline number is 0114 2734567. It is open seven days a week between 8.45am and 4.45pm