Elmbridge Community Support Services
Elmbridge Borough Council has issued the following information, as of 31 December 2020, on the community services they are operating during the pandemic.
Meals on Wheels Service
We deliver a Meals on Wheels service to people in Elmbridge and Mole Valley (Leatherhead, Bookham and Fetcham areas only) who are unable to prepare meals. The service can be provided up to seven days a week, for as long as required. Our Meals on Wheels service can also offer a breakfast and supper service.
We currently have 240 - 260 customers on our Meals on Wheels services, providing cooked and frozen meals directly to people’s homes. We also have emergency food packages at each of our 6 meals on wheels sites. If there was an urgent need for food, we would use our Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver one of these packs, however this would be restricted to emergency cases only. For more information on this service, look on our web site: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/css/mealservices/ or phone 01372 474552
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (formerly Shielded people) and Welfare Calls
The Shielded group highlights the most vulnerable people in our communities, on medical grounds, in light of COVID-19. This group of people has now been renamed Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). The purpose of the CEV and welfare calls is to check in on the vulnerable individuals in the community, providing help where needed. As a Council, we are continuing to conduct regular calls to our most vulnerable residents to ensure any assistance is given and needs are met as far as possible. If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19) please go onto https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable which provides general guidance on protecting yourself if you’re clinically vulnerable to corona virus. The Council also has a phone line: 01372 474900 and an email address: shield@elmbridge.co.uk and advice can be provided to this cohort of people on local support.
Dementia Services
The Dementia Services team can provide practical support and advice for carers and people with dementia through their telephone service, assisted, social care advice, information on benefits and funding during these difficult times. For more information on the services offered, visit the Elmbridge Dementia Services page or web address: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/css/elmbridge-dementia-services/ You can also telephone the service on 01372 474547 or email: dementiaservices@elmbridge.gov.uk
Community Alarm
The Community Alarm service is operating on a reduced service as of 27 October 2020. The service can offer a doorstep delivery of one of our ElmAssist devices which are fully charged. Instructions on this equipment is provided on how it is operated. House visits indoors will not be taking place, faults that cannot be solved via a telephone call will result in replacement self-install equipment being provided. Clients will receive telephone support should they need it when fitting the replacement equipment.
For more information on Community Alarm services call 01372 474560.
Dial-a-ride
Using our dial-a-ride service, up to two passengers from the same household (bubble) will be able to book a journey to attend GP or hospital appointments, or educational establishments. This includes transportation to a vaccination centre/GP surgery to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Due to social distancing guidelines, we are only able to take passengers who are able to enter and exit the bus unaided at present.
Please note no shopping trips are currently taking place.
We have put in place a range of processes and procedures to make journeys safe for all our passengers which can be found here. For more information or to book a Dial-a-Ride journey, please call 01372 474 944 or email: commtransport@elmbridge.gov.uk
Please ring Transport to seek advice on specific trips. Also, see our web pages for the latest information.
Services at Centres
For the wellbeing of our customers, our centres for the community are currently closed for general use.
Hairdressing and Chiropody/Podiatry services are not operating now in any of the centres.
Activities at Centres (yet to return)
We have seven centres across Elmbridge, aiming to promote an active and full life for residents, offering a range of leisure activities and opportunities to learn new skills, including:
• Art and craft classes
• iPad training
• Hairdressing, beauty treatments, reflexology, aromatherapy
• Organised trips
• Exercise classes
• Three-course lunches
• Tea bar with a selection of cakes and sandwiches
• Podiatry/chiropody
Each centre offers a full programme of events and activities. Please see our website for updates as we continue a phased return in line with government guidance.
Cobham Link
Cobham Link supports adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities who want to be as independent as possible whilst providing a social group, offering advice, support and fun. Our Cobham Link group is normally run from our Cobham Centre for the Community, Oakdene Rd, Cobham and normally offers daily sessions aimed to involve members in the local community.
Since lockdown began Cobham Link has been running four zoom sessions, a coffee and chat session, a brain buster session, an activity session where we play things like quizzes and bingo and a keep fit session. Recently we started small group sessions within Cobham Centre which were socially distanced and fully compliant with guidelines to support vulnerable residents. However, with Tier 4 these services have been suspended and we will review at the end of next week. Zoom sessions and welfare calls will continue.
For updates on the status of all Council services, please see our coronavirus (COVID-19) web page.
For more information about Community Support Services and what we offer, please see our Community Support Services page.