Here’s a quick guide to how the Council’s Virtual Volunteering Hub works
The Hub receives requests for support through referrals from services. People can also self-refer through our web pages here: https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/community-support.
People needing help can also phone 01422 392890
A leaflet about the Covid response from the Council was also sent tp every household in Calderdale a couple of weeks ago, recognising that not everyone will have access to information on the internet.
Once the Hub has received the request for support, Duty Social Workers assess all requests to make sure that people who need professional support will get this. Volunteers are only tasked with the most basic, but incredibly important support, like collecting food or shopping and/or prescriptions and dog walking! They are also arranging telephone calls for people who are lonely and need a chat through the Council’s Staying Well team.
Referrals are sent to local hub and matched to a volunteer from our registry or to a local voluntary and community organisation partners, to ensure that this work can be done safely and effectively
The Hub is mainly staffed by Council Officers in the Voluntary Sector, Neighbourhoods and Staying Well teams with additional support from other staff who have kindly offered their help.
