Some of our staff are putting their day jobs on hold to help the community
A large number of our staff are putting their day jobs on hold and joining volunteers in communities across the borough to help people most in need.
From today (Monday 23 March), some members of our staff are putting their day jobs on hold until further notice, to focus on supporting vulnerable residents to deal with the spread of coronavirus.
What will they be doing?
The Kirklees Community Response Team will see council staff working alongside local volunteers already supporting local people.
Based within libraries, foodbanks and other community buildings they will be on hand to give advice, information, offer support, links to other services, help people access food and emergency cash/grants. Social distancing measures will be in place.
We’ve worked together with The Welcome Centre, Fusion Foodbank and Batley Foodbank in order to enable these vital services to remain open. Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, offered support at Dewsbury Foodbank on Monday 23 March – helping local people to access food.
Which staff does this include?
We’re carrying out a review of all our staff to assess which roles are not currently business critical (due to the coronavirus response) and where people’s skills could be used to help communities and residents.
How can I help?
We’ve put together a pack to support people and communities during the
ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus.
We’ve also put together a list of ways you can help in your community.
Councillor Pandor said: “We are working hard and doing everything we can to keep people as safe as possible. Public health and the wellbeing of all our residents is our top priority.
“We are encouraging everyone to follow the social distancing guidance from Government, but we have a duty of care to support our most vulnerable and will take all measures to ensure people who are offering their time to help others, are kept safe.
“The usual day-to-day roles of our staff are all an important part in delivering services to residents. However, with the current challenges we face, we are rightly assessing which roles need to continue as normal and which can be put on hold to offer the extra support our communities desperately need.
“The challenge we all face is much bigger than Kirklees Council, it’s a real community effort. As I have said before, our strength is in our togetherness and that is more important now than ever.
“The community spirit we are already seeing is truly inspiring with local people volunteering their time to help others. We will continue to do what we do best – work together and help those that need us most.”
Please contact communities@kirklees.gov.uk if you are interested in volunteering.
More information
Hi Agness, I have passed this on to the relevant team, if we decide to implement this we will publish on our social media channels ^CD
Hello. Are you considering waiving parking charges in your car parks at this time at all? I am a blue light worker in a full time role so have no choice but to travel to work. The closer we can park to work, the less people we need to walk past to actually get to it but I cannot afford to pay your rates daily. I believe I speak for us all when I say it would be of great assistance. Kind regards, Agnes.