Council offers support as more 'extremely vulnerable' people urged to start shielding in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Council will provide support to the county's most vulnerable residents as more 'clinically extremely vulnerable' people are being urged to start shielding.

The council is responding to the news that more people are being identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on a risk assessment, by providing support to help them stay safe and well.

Thousands of people in Hertfordshire will be getting a letter from the Government and NHS telling them that they must shield at home until Wednesday, March 31, while the vaccine programme is rolled out to the most vulnerable groups.

Alongside this, those already shielding will also be informed that shielding is being extended until March 31.

In response to this announcement, Hertfordshire County Council is continuing to offer the support developed over the last year, working with district and borough councils and the voluntary sector to assist residents who request support via the National Shielding Support Service (NSSS) website.

The offer of assistance has been extended to all people being asked to shield, with people being able to request an online priority delivery slot and/or additional basic support.

This includes a range of options such as:

- Medication assistance

- Food assistance

- Crisis intervention assistance for those in financial difficulty or needing urgent support

- Care support including mental health support, befriending, or transport for vaccinations.

Richard Roberts, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, said: “Since March last year we have been providing practical support to our most vulnerable residents who have been advised to shield themselves, and the feedback has been that it has made a huge difference to people.

"Through HertsHelp, our countywide help and support service, we’ve been providing help with getting food and medicines, as well as ensuring people have access to emotional support through what is clearly a difficult time.

"With more people now being advised to shield, we want people to know that help and support is there for anyone who need it.”

HertsHelp is a network of community organisations in Hertfordshire working together. If you or someone you know has been asked to shield and could benefit from some of the help outlined above, you can email HertsHelp via [email protected] or call 0300 123 4044.

It is important that residents who have been advised to shield do so until they are told not to. This is to make sure that you, your family and the wider community stay safe.