Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) is extending its support following the COVID-19 outbreak to include shopping and pharmacy visits.
CACT, which currently delivers the Live Well Line, has launched Live Well Connect, providing telephone support to participants on some its programmes and those in self-isolation following government advice.
Staff are also using existing links with local pharmacies to support Greenwich residents by picking up prescriptions for those who are less able to or are self-isolating. Additionally, there has been support for pharmacies themselves, who are encouraged to make referrals into Live Well Connect.
Deb Browne, CACT’s Head of Health Improvement, said:
“We’ve been working hard to adapt Live Well to reflect the needs of the most vulnerable in this fast-changing landscape.
“I am redirecting core members of staff to linking the Live Well Line with the community offer. We hope that linking support in the voluntary sector with the infrastructure for social prescribing can help provide meaningful levels of support at this difficult time.”
Examples of home shopping support so far include completing grocery shopping for a female resident classified as high risk due to an underlying health condition.
Live Well Coaches and other staff are also supporting residents by going to food banks on behalf of those unable to make the trip in person.
Deb added:
“Clearly, food bank vouchers, which can be an important part of the Stay Warm Stay Safe programme, are of no use to vulnerable residents who are unable to redeem them. It’s important to make staff available to go and make contact-free deliveries for them.”
Live Well Connect is a free telephone friendship line for anyone who would like to receive regular calls from friendly and supportive CACT advisors.
One participant contacted via the friendship line said:
“Thank you so much for your help. You have really given me hope by just listening to me today”.
Do you want to talk to CACT during this period? Do you know someone who might want to be contacted?
Call the Live Well Connect Line on 0800 470 4831 to speak to a Live Well Coach now.