Organisations across Hambleton and
Richmondshire are being asked to come together to support the
elderly and vulnerable during severe weather.
Over the last two years some people were
trapped in their homes because of bad weather for up to three
weeks.
The Hambleton and Richmondshire Strategic
Forum is looking at the feasibility of creating a good neighbour
service – a network of local groups that will spring into action
when an emergency occurs.
It has set up a working group to look at a
wide range of issues including:
- roads and footpaths not being cleared and gritted
- inconsistent advice about footpath clearance adjacent to both
domestic and commercial properties
- insufficient supplies of salt and grit
- exploitation and/or
profiteering
- fuel poverty
- how to identify and help the most vulnerable
- accessing emergency repairs
to house heating and plumbing
Forum members are particularly interested in
hearing from any parishes or local groups that already have some
sort of emergency help arrangement in place - or are interested in
setting up a group.
“Work so far has shown that there are some
church groups offering this service and some villages have a help
scheme,” said Paul Fisher of Age Concern.
“The sort of service we are looking to set up
is to help vulnerable people with shopping or snow clearance – a
sort of good neighbour scheme. We are also looking at
the possibility of setting up a helpline that can give details of
services available at times of severe weather than are reliable and
at fair prices.”
If you are involved with an organisation in
Hambleton or Richmondshire that offers any of the above help,
contact Paul Fisher at Age Concern 01609 771624 or Peter Cole at
Hambleton District Council on 01609 767212.
July 26, 2011
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