AT 9am today (Wednesday 1 April) Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action (TCCA), a partnership led by Thurrock Council working with Stronger Together and Thurrock CVS, launched a helpline and online form to support residents in Thurrock who are vulnerable due to self-isolation, have worsening mental or physical health issues or do not have friends, family or local support in place at this time.

This helpline is for those residents in the borough who need help as a priority and are without help in the community from family or friends.

TCCA initially launched on Friday to provide the local response in line with national guidance in regards to shielding and supporting our residents who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

A statement from the council says: "The partnership has already gone above and beyond the government's requirements and goes even further from today so that those residents who also need support and are without family or friends have a much needed lifeline.

"Thurrock Council staff from TCCA will be on hand to answer questions, help vulnerable residents get access to food, medicines and social contact.

To make an enquiry online residents can visit:this link or call the help line on: 01375 511 002. The helpline will be open Monday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm.

The statement continues: "The TCCA team will aim to make contact within 48 hours to discuss how to provide support. We will assess the requests for support, prioritise them and match them with the support or volunteers available.

"TCCA are looking for urgent support from our local supermarkets and are trying to make contact to see what support they might be able to offer in terms of food, other essential goods and access to delivery or click and collect slots.

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"All supermarkets in Thurrock are being asked to support the TCCA by making contact via email to: [email protected].

"In addition there is a huge additional need for support and donations of goods from local businesses. If businesses are able to help please contact [email protected]."

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We have vulnerable residents who need additional support at this challenging time who are not included in the Government's shielding support response. The TCCA partnership is going above and beyond to provide support to those that need it most across the borough.

"The council staff supporting the TCCA are on hand to answer questions, help get access to food, medicines, social contact and simply ensure people are okay. We have been overwhelmed with the response from the community to volunteer and support the partnership which really is greatly appreciated, thank you.

"If you are a local supermarket or business who can offer support please do get in touch so that we can work together to provide for the most vulnerable residents in our local community.

For more information on TCCA and to find out more about volunteering please visit the website