Our role in #TeamOldham’s community support response to COVID-19

We have joined forces with Oldham Council, Oldham Foodbank, Action Together and other housing associations to launch a community response to help our borough’s most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new service is coordinating the delivery of emergency food and essential personal and household items to people in genuine need as they are self-isolating and don’t have any friends or neighbours who can support them, or they are unable to leave the house to shop for these items. This could be someone of any age.

Delivery of prescription medicines will be handled separately by local pharmacies who will be contacting people on GP lists - please ask the helpline for advice.

Dedicated hotline

A new hotline 0161 770 7007 has been setup for people to call for help. The line will be open 9am-5pm on weekdays and 11am-2pm at weekends.

The service aims to get back to callers within 24 hours of them ringing the line and a package of basic items such as food and other essentials will be coordinated in the following days.

Community hubs at locations across the Oldham borough

Hubs, where supplies and community help for people will be co-ordinated from, are now open at five locations across the Oldham borough.

These hubs are being run by Oldham Council and Action Together, and manned by an army of volunteers, who have good knowledge of the local community and links into relevant support networks.

They build on the fantastic work already being done in the community – for example by Oldham Foodbank and Age UK Oldham’s Shopping Service - to make sure those in need can access emergency supplies.

Making a difference

Dave Brereton, Community Impact Manager and one of our team leading First Choice Homes’ involvement in this community response effort, said: “A service that ordinarily would have taken us months to plan and launch has been organised and gone live in five days. That’s a tremendous achievement in the current circumstances and testament to the community spirit in Oldham.

“The support is for those who are genuinely in emergency need; if you need our help please get in touch – the number is 0161 770 7007.

“We’re asking people to use this resource responsibly so that it doesn’t become overwhelmed and to make sure it can give help to those who need it most.

“We’re extremely proud to be part of #TeamOldham’s community response to the COVID-19 pandemic and I know we have the people and skills to make a positive difference to those who need us most at this time.”