Thousands of West Dunbartonshire residents have benefited from council support during the coronavirus pandemic.
New figures have shown the scale of the task facing the local authority, with 1464 residents being given assistance from their new crisis support team – whilst 1097 business owners have received £10m in grant funding.
Home care staff have continued to support those most in need, clocking up 22,000 visits every single week, with the council also contacting all 3000 residents on the shielding list and providing 912 with additional support.
Across the area staff have made over 5500 welfare calls on top of the 500 enquiries they get every day.
Further to this 100 homeless families have been moved to temporary accommodation, while 5677 schools lunches are being provided every week – including to those eligible for free school meals.
And council leader Jonathan McColl was quick to pay tribute to staff going the extra mile to respond to the situation.
He said: “I am extremely proud of the way all of our services, both those out in the front line and those who are working behind the scenes, have stepped up to support our residents.
“From practical help offered to vulnerable people to ensuring local businesses have the best chance of survival and our young people are not negatively affected, every single action has gone towards helping residents feel safe and supported during these uncertain times.
“Supporting the vulnerable within our communities has been at the heart of this response, and our partnership with third sector groups has allowed us to make sure that those most in need could get help with food, medicine and other deliveries.
“This fantastic response will continue, and even as we begin our planning process for a West Dunbartonshire recovery, we will still be ensuring we reach out to support residents where needed.”
