News

A new website and phone number has been launched to help any isolated and vulnerable Angus residents get the confidential support they need during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

If you need help and support, or if you are worried that someone else (a friend, relative or neighbour) needs help and support, for whatever reason, during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic then go to:

www.taysidecares.co.uk 
Tel: 03452 777 778

The phone lines are open Mon-Friday 10:00-20:00 and Sat/Sun 10:00-14:00

Staff from the council are working with partners from across Angus and the wider Tayside region to form a new team – the Humanitarian Assistance Angus Response Team (HAART). The new team will lead on efforts locally and coordinate the work that is required to help our most isolated and vulnerable residents.

People at the HAART of Angus
All Angus residents should ensure that they liaise directly with Angus Council HAART team at this unprecedented time to ensure a reliable response. Angus Council’s partners working to deliver this new service include: Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, AngusAlive, Voluntary Action Angus (VAA) and other agencies in the Community Planning Partnership, alongside NHS Tayside and food banks. This humanitarian response service builds on existing partnership working across the county that is developing an Angus that actively cares.

People should visit www.taysidecares.co.uk  first to register for this support but people who are unable to access the internet can use the telephone number, 03452 777 778 which will link you directly to a dedicated team of skilled people who can help individuals confidentially with the supply of food, necessities and other vital assistance.

Further details will also be available on a new website: www.taysidecares.co.uk
The service will be open Monday to Friday from 10:00 – 20:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-14:00 for the duration of the pandemic.

The HAART’s immediate focus will be those who live in Angus who have been identified by the NHS for ‘Shielding’ as among the 200,000 across Scotland who have critical illness and been told to self-isolate for a recommended period of 12 weeks, as well as older people and people severely affected financially.

Speaking at the launch, Margo Williamson, Angus Council Chief Executive said: “Thank you to all of our partners who have worked tirelessly to help vulnerable people across our county. We always knew that people were at the heart of Angus and our message is loud and clear – please do not struggle alone, our new service is here to help and will build on the fantastic effort already in place through Voluntary Action Angus and the many volunteers who have now signed up to offer assistance.

“To ensure the safety of our residents, our volunteers will always carry ID and will not turn up unannounced.

“The volunteers are trained in self-protection measures and if you wish to participate for your local community, we would like to hear from you too by contacting us on www.voluntaryactionangus.org.uk/coronavirus

Gary Malone, Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Angus (VAA), who will be co-ordinating the volunteers across the county said: “Along with our partners, we’ve been working on building our volunteer capacity over the last few weeks, from individuals and new groups who are keen to help, to linking with more long-standing resilience groups in our communities.

“Our volunteers are validated, supported and already helping those in isolation. This is true partnership working and we want people to know we are here to help and we’re proud to be part of an Angus that actively cares.”

The Government is liaising with supermarkets and other food providers to ensure that basic food packages can be supplied to all those eligible through a national distribution chain. This new email address and phone number is set up to allow vulnerable residents and community groups to access their local community hub.