Sheffield Council staff have answered 7,000 calls to their coronavirus helpline

The community helpline - 0114 273 4567 - was launched in March to help people with things like food deliveries, medicine or mental and emotional wellbeing.

Since then the line has helped the council issue more than 600 emergency food parcels, helped more than 900 households with personal shopping and more than 500 households requesting help to collect essential medication.

Staff were redeployed from the libraries and lifelong learning services teams to talk to those feeling lonely in isolation and parking services employees packed food from the Moor Markets for emergency parcels.

As well as emergency food parcels, the council has supplied food and supplies to 20 foodbanks across the city.

Dozens of businesses are also joining in the local effort too including Sheffield College, Kenwood Hall Hotel, Batleys Sheffield, Mercedes Benz of Sheffield and the Rutland Hotel among many others.

Coun Julie Dore, counci leader l, said: “It is heart-warming to see so many businesses and charities coming together to support the immediate needs of vulnerable people and families across the city.

“As we all adjust to the ‘new normal’ during the pandemic, our great city continues to rise to the challenge of delivering emergency supplies to those who need them and in combating loneliness with emotional well-being telephone support on offer. Together we will get through this.”

The helpline is open Mondays-Fridays, from 8.45am-4.45pm

If you would like to volunteer to help, go to vas.org.uk

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