Salix Homes team members come to the rescue

Each week a group of volunteers have been makingthousands ofphone calls to elderly and vulnerable tenantsacross Salford.

Up and down the country, organisations like Salford-based housing association Salix Homes, have had to adapt to how they serve their customers during thecoronavirus outbreak.One of the necessary steps to limit the spread of the virus has been to limit all non-essential face-to-face contact.

ICTservicedeliverymanager,EllieMorley,ispart of a team of Salix Homes staffwhoaremaking calls toelderly andvulnerable residents. Thecalls not only make sure that the tenants have access to food, fuel and medicine, but also provide the human contact thatis being missed.

Ellie said,“I decided to volunteer as I have a passion for people and a lot of empathy for those struggling, so thought this would be a good way to do my bit for those who needed a little supportduring these hard times.

“We speak to the same peopletwice a weekwhichI think helps build relationships.Some calls will last for two minutes, while others last for 15.Some have partners living with them so appreciate the calls but don’t need any additional support, but some have literally no-one. I will be the only person they speak to all week,so they really look forward to speaking with me.

“I have a fewcallsthatreallypull at my heart strings and have even said they look forward to my calls and ask me to promise I will ring them back. I don’treally have the time tofit all of thecallsin to one day, soI am probably still ringing around in the early evening to ensureI make all of thecallsas I know some of them are waiting on it.”

During one of her scheduled calls,Ellie found out that a tenant hadn’t seen her carerfor a few weeksand had run out of personal health care items needed due toanongoing health condition

After a call to executive director of operations, Sue Suttontoalert her to the tenant’s needs, Elliemade an emergencyone-offdoorstepdelivery to the customerto drop off her essential items.

Neighbourhood manager,Liam Turnerhas been coordinating thecalls to tenants. After being told about this resident’s plight,Liam got on the phone with theSpiritofSalfordteamto ensure measures were put in place toconnectthe tenant to the right health and social care team.The tenant is now receiving acare package fromthe Spirit of Salfordnetwork.

Executive director of operations, Sue Suttonsaid “This is another great exampleof having the right people and contacts in the right place to make sure vulnerable people receive thesupportthey require. Welldone Ellie and Liamfor stepping into make sure this tenantis being properlylooked after.

Salix Homesis oneof a number of Salford organisations signed up to the Spirit of Salford Network, providing targeted support to vulnerable residents across the city.

If you are vulnerable yourself, or know anyone who is over 70 years old or with underlying health conditions in need of additional support, they can contact a new freephonehelpline 0800 952 1000, launched today by the partnership. You can also visit www.salford.gov.uk/spiritofsalford.