As the coronavirus lockdown continues into its fifth week, Dundee City Council is underlining its commitment to support the most vulnerable people in local communities.
Since restrictions were introduced at the end of March, the council has transformed its services and is taking actions alongside partners to help those worst affected by the pandemic.
These include:
• The creation of eight Community Support Centres (CSCs) to take forward co-ordinated assistance
• Childcare for over 400 children, including those of key workers and vulnerable young people at the CSCs
• Support and co-ordination for community food organisations through involvement in the Dundee Food Insecurity Network
• £10,000 a week is now being spent on bulk food purchases for community food providers
• A free contactless delivery service of sanitary products has been launched, Items that can be delivered include pads, tampons, maternity pads, teen pads, and reusable pads.
• Payments to replace free school meals for over 5,000 families at a cost of over £1 million
• The establishment of a lifeline supplies distribution hub at Michelin
• Development of the delivery of hot meals to vulnerable families
• Over 350 people have so far contacted the 0300 123 1403 helpline set up by the council for those in the Shielded group and others worst affected by the COVID emergency. Everyone who has contacted the helpline has received advice from experienced staff who have passed on requests for the national food and medicine delivery programme where required.
• Launch of the www.taysidecares.co.uk website to provide an online support resource
• More than 500 businesses across Dundee have been helped the tune of over £6m by the Coronavirus Business Support Fund
• Secondary schools have donated over 1,000 pairs of goggles to front line health staff, while 3D printers at Grove Academy have produced more than 500 visors
• Over 60 local firms have responded to a survey asking what resources they could offer to those in need during the crisis
• More than 1,000 people have come forward to offer to take on voluntary roles
• The city council’s fleet of vehicles is being deployed to assist in delivery and logistical efforts
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “The response of the people of Dundee to this crisis is nothing short of magnificent.
“The city council and its partners are delivering services in the face of unprecedented challenges and I would like to thank everyone who is making a contribution.
“We have mobilised this city’s caring heart and I can see how this is making a real difference every day.
“There are many challenges ahead, but I am optimistic that our strength and resilience will ensure that we can continue to provide assistance to those who need it.
“This effort is showing us the best of Dundee.”
Eric Knox, chief executive of Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action said: “The city’s response to the crisis has been exceptional. I have never seen as many volunteers coming forward to help other people. We have had the same number in a few weeks as we get in a full year. I would ask them to bear with us we will get back to you I think the need for volunteers will go on long past the end of any lockdown.”
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
