News Supporting the community at the Maidstone Hub
The Maidstone Community Hub is busy making sure that urgent food and medical supplies are provided for the most vulnerable people in the borough.
Created within days of the coronavirus lockdown by Maidstone Borough Council, the hub is made up of several different teams working virtually and physically.
The focus is on meeting urgent food and medical needs for the shielded and vulnerable people in our communities in the borough, as well as tackling social isolation.
Since opening on 25 March it has delivered over 300 food parcels to residents in urgent need and received 1726 requests for help.
There are now more than 2600 people in the Borough who fall into the ‘shielded’ most vulnerable category.
The hub has also developed a team focussing on those people who have been socially isolated and in need of wellbeing support. This team has been contacting residents, providing a valuable service to those who are isolated and alone.
Alison Broom, Chief Executive of Maidstone Borough Council said:
“Our Council led Hub has been set-up in response to the Government introduction of ‘shielding’ and the call to create a network of hubs covering the whole country for the most vulnerable people in our community.“It is offering help to those people who don’t have a support system in place and assisting people with serious medical conditions who have been told to remain indoors for 12 weeks due to Coronavirus.
“We have been inundated with offers of help from volunteers, community groups, charities, Councillors and Parish Councils.
“It is fantastic to see everyone pulling together and working so hard to support our communities. Thank you so much, we are truly very appreciative.
“I am incredibly proud of our own staff too who have worked tirelessly to set up the hub at such short notice, completely from scratch. Thank you to everyone involved.”
The Maidstone Borough Council Community Hub has a specific focus on providing access to food, medicines and other supplies and is open Monday to Thursday between 8.30am and 5pm and Friday 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Those who need help from the Maidstone Borough Council Community Support Hub should call freephone: Community Hub Freephone 0300 303 1650 or visit the website at: https://www.maidstone.gov.uk/home/other-services/covid-19/tier-2-primary-areas/community-hubs-and-local-support
A freephone Kent Council 24 hour helpline is also available at: Freephone – 03000 419292 or visit the website at: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/coronavirus/kent-together