Newcastle City Council has set up a webform for volunteers to support others during the coronavirus pandemic.
It has made the Citylife Line channel available on its website for people who wish to join the effort to support community organisations.
People who pledge their support will have their contact details taken and reviewed. If an organisation in the voluntary sector requires their support, their details will be passed to that organisation who will contact them directly if they are required.
The council said that initially it would take registrations from people wishing to volunteer, and that it plans to add another service later this week for people who need assistance.
Coordinating responses
Councillor Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Citylife Line will give us the ability to coordinate these responses and harness this goodwill in the right way. It will allow us to identify the most vulnerable people in our city, making sure that anyone who requires help and support get this quickly and securely.
“Council officers and partners in the voluntary and community sector have worked tirelessly to establish this service, it has taken a huge effort to get this off the ground so please bear with us whilst we work through any teething problems.”
The council said the service will also prioritise the people who have been contacted by the NHS as among the 1.4 million most susceptible to the virus.
A number of local authorities have made similar over recent days, examples including Calderdale Council with an online volunteer hub and Hackney with a support services map on its website.
Image from Newcastle City Council
