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(News source: published on behalf of Surrey County Council)
Surrey's Coronavirus community helpline is open over the Easter weekend. The service will be operating over the Easter bank holiday weekend on Good Friday (10 April) from 10am to 4pm, on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm and on Easter Monday from 10am to 4pm. The helpline number is 0300 200 1008.
Call handlers equipped to work remotely are making sure that vulnerable people who need support are matched with groups or services which can help, whether it be assistance with food deliveries, prescriptions or dealing with isolation.
Demand for the community helpline has risen steadily since it was launched by Surrey County Council on Thursday 19 March. It’s now receiving around 250 calls per day on average – mainly from people requesting support with tasks like food shopping and prescription collection. Overall, it’s already dealt with more than 2,500 calls and more than 160 requests for help via the online form.
- Residents can also request help by filling in the online “I Need Help” request form. If the helpline is open, it is recommend that you call to talk to someone. The form can be used when the helpline is closed.
- There is an SMS number – 0786 0053 465 – for people who are deaf or hard of hearing (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). Outside those times, the online form is available.
- Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 are encouraged to register with the Government and heed the advice to shield from coronavirus for at least 12 weeks.