Published Thursday 7 May 2020 at 14:58
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council has recorded a video message to thank all the staff and Council partners involved in the BwD Help Hub.
Councillor Mohammed Khan has recorded a series of videos to pay tribute to all the people who have been instrumental in keeping much needed services running during lockdown.
In the first video, our Communications Manager Charlotte Bradshaw, turns reporter to interview Cllr Khan.
To avoid any unnecessary travel or contact the video has been recorded using Microsoft Teams. He thanks Help Hub staff for running this new support network for anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who is isolated at home with no one to help them get food and other essentials.
The BwD Help Hub was launched in the first week of lockdown and has so far supported over 3,000 people.
Support ranges from helping people manage their utility payments to ensure they have gas and electricity during lockdown, and signposting people toappropriate mental health support, to arranging deliveries of food and household essentials.
A warehouse, set up to provide regular essentials parcels to people who have no means to get their own food during lockdown, has delivered almost 8,000 boxes of food and 1,600 boxes of toiletries and cleaning products.
The Help Hub has involved teams from right across the Council: Prevention, Neighbourhoods & Learning, Social Integration, Planning, Digital & Business Change, Procurement, Transport, the Contact Centre, Leisure, Highways, Business Support, and Young People’s Services.
In the video, Councillor Khan, who is self-isolating at home, praises the professionalism of Council staff. He says:
I was really, really impressed – within a week they were up and running. It’s
amazing to me how they’ve been able to manage it, within a very short period
of time – to get it up and running and help the people who needed our help.They’ve done a wonderful job.
Councillor Khan also thanks the local businesses and voluntary sector organisations who have been working hard to support people in need.
He adds:
I’ve received a number of emails and letters praising the Help Hub and the
workers. My sincere thanks to all of them – they have done a brilliant job and
should be proud of themselves. We are very proud of them.
Watch Councillor Khan’s video message of thanks to the BwD Help Hub team.
The Leader of the Council has recorded a series of video messages to express his gratitude to everyone in the borough for staying at home to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
The messages will be shared on The Shuttle website, as well as on the Council’s social media channels.
Anyone who needs the support of the BwD Help during isolation can:
- Fill in the online form at www.blackburn.gov.uk
- Or call 01254 588111.