“Be prepared this winter” urge Dorset Together partners

Residents are being urged to prepare for Christmas and the winter months by making plans for possible COVID-19 self-isolation.

With Christmas Day falling on a weekend there are four holiday days which people need to prepare for, this includes having enough medication and food. The four days could extend to 10 days isolation in the eventuality of being infected by the virus.

The Government has changed its advice as the Omicron variant of the virus has started to spread rapidly.  In England face coverings are now compulsory in most indoor public venues. If you are fully vaccinated, but come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, you should take a lateral flow test every day for at least seven days.

In response, Dorset Together, which is a partnership between Dorset Council and voluntary and community sector organisations, suggests residents should have enough prescription medication and food until shops or charity services reopen after the Christmas break.

The Dorset Together group, which includes Dorset Council, Public Health, Volunteer Centre Dorset, Help & Kindness and Age UK North, South and West Dorset, will continue to offer emergency help and support to struggling residents before and after Christmas, but advises planning ahead will also help reduce the demand on already stretched services.

In addition, contingency plans around a resident’s usual support network should be considered as it may be affected because of COVID-19.

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak the Dorset Together members have been working in partnership to ensure that local people can access support if they need it. Requests for help with things like access to food, prescriptions, even befriending services, can be made via the council’s website or by calling 01305 221000.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Communities and Customer Services said:

“On behalf of the council and our Dorset Together partners I want to reassure people that we are still here to help and support residents this winter, particularly those who really need it.

“We’re anticipating coronavirus cases will rise over the coming weeks and want people to think and put plans in place now if they can, to help reduce pressure on health services if possible.

“It could be as simple as making sure you don’t run out of medication by getting a prescription filled, and having enough food in to last stretch over the four holiday days.”

Dorset Council residents can apply for a NHS Test and Trace support payment if they need to self-isolate because they are ill, or if they cannot work due to caring responsibilities.

Find more advice to help keep well this winter from Stay Well in Dorset.

Extra financial support for struggling households

As the knock-on effects of the pandemic continue to bite, Dorset Council has also put in place measures to help residents meet the cost of food, heating and other essentials this winter using money from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund.

The financial support  includes Winter Energy Vouchers for to people in receipt of Universal Credit with limited capability for work or, earnings below the free school meals and free prescription threshold. It also includes meal vouchers to ensure children who receive free school meals during term time can access food during the school holidays.

Anyone with concerns about paying for food, heating or other costs this winter is advised to contact Dorset Citizens Advice on Freephone 0800 144 8848.

More information about access to food, financial advice and help with isolation is available on the council’s Reaching Out webpages