Celebrating the Other Heroes of the Borough Council, Working Hard To Keep Us Safe

Published on: 1 Apr, 2020
Updated on: 3 Apr, 2020

During these times of uncertainty, the council is shining a light on our #GBCHeroes, still working hard to keep the borough running for our residents. This is what they have told us…

Waste Operations 

Our frontline services are working to ensure our borough is kept clean and tidy during the virus outbreak. A short and sweet thank you from a resident to the Waste Operations team via the Facebook page was well received. The Waste Operations team was chuffed to see these messages from residents in wheelie bins last week.

The Hive (formerly the Park Barn Centre)

The Local Hub team is continuing to operate frontline services with key staff coordinating the increased demand for community meals and essential community transport journeys for the residents of Guildford borough and their families.

Alongside the Community Wellbeing Team, vulnerable customers are called to ensure they are safe and well. Staff are keeping the hub clean and sanitised with superstar Mirek at the helm.

Community Meals and Community Transport 

The team is now handling a significant increase in vulnerable people requiring services for hot lunchtime meal deliveries, and this rises every day. Staff from the social centres at Park Barn and Shawfield, along with community transport team members, have been delivering these extra meals for the Community Meals team.

The team has had a lot of positive feedback from customers and their families, which has been amazing. Residents are so grateful that staff are putting themselves at risk to continue with this essential service during this difficult time, when they are unable to support their loved ones as they would normally do.

Our Community Transport Service is continuing to operate journeys for essential purposes, such as doctors’ appointments and vital shopping trips. Staff are adhering to social distancing advice while transporting customers and calling them in advance to check they are well and healthy enough to travel.

The Community Fridge

The generosity of people wanting to support their Community during this time is overwhelming. We have been fortunate to receive donations from the Salvation Army and St Clare’s Church Food Bank, as well as from people dropping off items.

The teams have been busy organising these donations into food packages that can be collected or delivered to those in need where possible. Tesco have donated 500 large bags for these packages.

Parks operational staff

We are also celebrating the parks operations team who are out and about cutting the grass at sheltered housing sites for vulnerable residents (Tarragon Court) and a communal garden in Wyke Avenue, home to older residents. They are doing continuing to help residents enjoy and use the grounds around their properties.

If you wish to volunteer to help in any way, or are in need of help, contact Voluntary Action South West Surrey on 01483 01483 565456 or email communitypoint@vasws.org.uk