Frontline council staff continuing to help vulnerable over Easter

Some staff are working longer shifts than usual to keep vital services running, while many have already volunteered to play a role in community hubs with district and borough councils and the NHS to deliver food and supplies to those most in need during the pandemic.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s hydrant technicians have stepped in to help with the delivery of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) around the county. As well as continuing their roles of testing the county’s fire hydrants, they are helping to transport PPE to where it is most needed.

The county council also said it wanted to remind nurses, doctors and other key workers that they can continue to park for free on West Sussex roads over the Easter period and all they need to do is display some identification in their car window.

Paul Marshall, leader of the county council, said: “Easter is a special time to spend with loved ones but I know that lots of people, including many of our own staff and those of our contractors, will still be going out to work to keep people safe and keep the country running.

“Our social workers, occupational therapists, care workers and all our care and meal providers will be visiting and shielding our most vulnerable adults and families who are relying on their support more than ever.

“Our firefighters will continue to be on call over the Easter period and will be working alongside both county council colleagues and other emergency services when they are called upon.

“Our schools will remain open throughout what should have been the Easter break, some on Good Friday and Easter Monday, so school staff can look after children and allow their parents to continue the national coronavirus fight.

“And others will be on call to keep our highways safe, handling referrals into our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, delivering vital supplies to the most in need as part of our community hubs and doing many other crucial roles.

“When the country joins together again tonight to clap for key workers, including the wonderful NHS, I hope our staff will feel a huge sense of pride in the work they are doing for others.

“To all of you, thank you and stay safe.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.