HAMPSHIRE councils have launched a new helpline to support the most frail and vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

East Hampshire District Council has joined forces with Hampshire County Council, voluntary groups and other district and boroughs across the county to set up the Hantshelp4vulnerable helpline (0333 370 4000).

The line can be used by residents who do not have support from families, friends or their local community, and who need urgent assistance with essential food or household supplies, collection of medication, or who are at risk of loneliness.

The number - 0333 370 4000 – will be manned seven days a week, from 9am-5pm to provide advice and information, as well as co-ordinate requests for practical help.

Residents’ requests will then be passed through to the appropriate Local Response Centre across the 11 districts.

For vulnerable residents in need of urgent food supplies, the Local Response Centres will provide a food box of basic necessities. Typically, this might include:

* Pasta

* Cereal

* Soup

* UHT milk

* Long life orange juice

* Bread

* Apples

* Biscuits

* Plus urgent household necessities if needed, eg shower gel

Wherever possible, special dietary requirements will be met.

The service is available for all county residents except from those living in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, where different arrangements have been made.

The Government has identified some people who are ‘extremely vulnerable’ to becoming seriously ill from coronavirus because of an underlying health condition.

Those in this shielded group will have been contacted by the NHS to request that they not leave home for at least 12 weeks, and have been advised that if they do not have friends, family or neighbours who can provide support, they can register for help to access food, medicine and social contact via gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Graham Allen, Hampshire County Council’s director of adults’ health and care, said: “Many have trusted friends, family and neighbours they can call on for support, but where this is not the case, local public, private and voluntary sector partners are urgently working together to ensure that people’s needs are met, so that the right help reaches people at the right time.”

EHDC leader, Cllr Richard Millard, said: “Help us help those most in need in our community. If you, or someone you know, is struggling to cope during the coronavirus outbreak, please use this number and we will help.

“The more we work together the better we will come through this crisis and the stronger we will bounce back afterwards.”

* By Maria Zaccaro (Local Democracy Reporter)