Governments, organisations, communities and individuals are doing the best they can to combat the effects of Covid-19. However, often these initiatives are run separately; if they were a joint effort they could be directed and implemented much more effectively.
The Community Call is an Irish government initiative that links local and national Government with the community and voluntary sectors. It is an unprecedented mobilisation of both state and voluntary resources to combat the effects of Covid-19. A Community Support Forum has been set up in each local authority that brings together key state, voluntary and community organisations that provide essential supports including health, welfare, food, transport, meals and their delivery and social supports. People who are vulnerable members of the community and confined to their homes, or ‘cocooning’ can ring a dedicated community support helpline/call centre in each local authority. Support can then be provided e.g. with shopping, fuel delivery, collecting medicines, or any other necessities of daily living.