Coronavirus: Hundreds of St Helens Council workers ready to be redeployed

To date around 100 local government workers in St Helens have been temporarily redeployed to aid the local response to the outbreak.

Around half of these have joined an army of volunteers at the community hub, the heart of massive operation, backed by the military, to deliver vital supplies to the most vulnerable people in the borough.

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A significant chunk of people have also been sent to the Contact Cares call centre, which has been fielding calls from people in need and people interested in volunteering.

“Our staff and local trade unions have shown great flexibility as we’ve worked with partners to lead the local response to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for corporate services, estates and communication.

“Over 100 staff from across the council have been temporarily redeployed, or are taking on duties in addition to their normal work, demonstrating their commitment to the people of our borough.”

St Helens Council recently sent a skills survey out to 1,800 members of staff with work emails, and to personal emails where it had permission, in an effort to see where their skills may be used elsewhere.

Almost 900 workers have returned the survey.

Cllr Groucutt said: “Many more are willing to help if and when the need arises, with almost 900 staff completing a skills survey, indicating how they may be able to assist with duties outside of their normal role.

“In doing so, they are strengthening our essential services and increasing capacity where it is needed most.

“At the moment this is in our Contact Centre, registrars and the crematorium, our Contact Cares service, adult social care and at our community hub, helping to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff and deliver vital food supplies to the most vulnerable across St Helens.

“We are keeping all services under review and would like to thank all staff for their dedication and adapting so quickly to new ways of working.”

Many council workers have been temporarily redeployed to the community hub

Last week, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote to councils in England to thank them for their continued efforts as they work around the clock to support their residents.

In his letter, he said council workers were the “unsung heroes” of the country’s coronavirus response.

“You are keeping the country moving, helping to protect the NHS and enabling them to save lives,” Mr Jenrick said in the letter.

“You are getting vulnerable people the care and support they need, mobilising volunteers, keeping essential services including waste collections running and making sure your residents have the latest information about staying safe.

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“Many of you are making significant personal sacrifices as part of this national fight, while also being concerned about your own family and friends.

“Through the sacrifices you are making and the public service you are offering, we will get through this and come out the other side.

“In an operation the scale of which we haven’t seen since the Second World War, what has been achieved in the last few weeks has been truly incredible.”