Latest updates related to the Coronavirus
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Message from our Chief Executive, Neil Blanchard:
"During these unprecedented and rapidly changing times, the health and wellbeing of our staff, clients and wider local communities, is at the very forefront of our plans to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Since hearing about the pandemic, we immediately put in place best practice measures advised by the Government, including implementing plans of social distancing for staff and clients and the protection of our most vulnerable clients within our Learning Disability Services. We also developed robust plans for all parts of Southdown to best protect the safety, health and wellbeing of our staff, clients, tenants and wider local communities across Sussex. All of our activities are overseen by our ‘Coronavirus Response Team’ which monitors developments and coordinates plans aligned to the changing situation. Colleagues and teams across the organisation have worked incredibly hard to put these plans into action, providing invaluable support to one another as the way we work and operate our services have radically changed. This has been no mean feat and has been incredibly humbling to watch as everybody has come together to do what has been necessary. In addition, I’m incredibly proud of the acts of kindness happening across the organisation as well as the fantastic response to our call out for volunteer Southdown Reservists - staff working in our Central and Community Support Services who have taken on additional roles to support our Learning Disability Services. Southdown’s Board, Executive Team and myself would like to thank all of our colleagues working across Southdown for their commitment, flexibility and compassion towards one another during this challenging time." 1. Protect the safety, health and wellbeing of all our clients, tenants, staff and their families 2. Work flexibly and in collaboration with local authorities, NHS and other providers to ensure the safe delivery of services for the most vulnerable people within our communities 3. Ensure that we have sufficient staff resources deployed across our learning disability services to continue to provide safe levels of care and support for our most vulnerable clients 4. Continue to provide support and reassurance to all of our community support service clients even if we have to reduce face-to-face contact and close wellbeing venues 5. Provide an effective emergency and urgent repairs service for our tenants, if needed 6. Maintain core central services to support the running of the organisation and business and financial processes For the latest government guidance, to find out what you can do to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and for advice if you think you might be infected or at risk, please visit the NHS website. The Government's website also hosts information on the latest guidance and support available. If you are a client, tenant, or a family member of someone who uses our services, please see the links below for the latest information regarding the Coronavirus and individual services. For detailed financial information relating to the Coronavirus, please see our Welfare Benefits Advice page here, or download our latest Newsletter (as of 16/11/2020). Tenants Click here for an update for Southdown tenants from Jim Aspdin, our Director of Housing. Our Learning Disability Support Services have robust plans in place and are working extremely hard to do what they can to protect the safety, health and wellbeing of our clients. If you have any questions relating to our Learning Disability Services, please call 01273 405 800 or email info@southdown.org. As staff may be required to self-isolate, to ensure we have enough staff over the coming weeks and months, we have a range of actions in progress, including escalating recruitment for Bank Workers and asking former Southdown Support Workers if they are able to re-join our team. If you are interested in joining our Learning Disability Services team, please email jobs@southdown.org or call 01273 405 800. If you are nervous about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, click here to read Zorenah's experience of the vaccination process. West Sussex County Council Coronavirus Update website page East Sussex County Council Coronavirus Update website page Brighton and Hove City Council Coronavirus Update website page There is also a wealth of additional information and online resources out there that you can tap into to support your own personal resilience, health and wellbeing as well as that of your family and loved ones. We're using @SouthdownHA on Facebook and Twitter to share some of these resources - do follow us and share your own tips on what's working for you. Stay safe and take care. Our key priorities as we navigate the evolving situation:
Latest Government advice:
Information for our clients and tenants:
Learning Disability Support Services
Housing and Homelessness Prevention Support
Mental Health Recovery Support
Employment Support
Useful resources