A phone call a day to check you’re OK
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Duncan Gair is urging vulnerable residents concerned with current international events to take advantage of telephone service being offered by the Australian Red Cross.
“We’re all acutely aware that we’re dealing with an event unseen in our lifetimes,” he said. “The spread of the Coronavirus is a global issue and it’s having a real impact on our lives.”
“And some of our residents, especially our vulnerable citizens, may be feeling uneasy and even scared during these difficult days.
“If you or someone you know is frail and aged, housebound or alone, I’d encourage you to take advantage of a wonderful telephone service called Telecross.”
As part of the Telecross service, a volunteer from the Australian Red Cross will make a telephone call each morning to check up on the wellbeing of the nominated person.
If the call is not answered the Red Cross will take follow-up action to check on the client.
The service is aimed at vulnerable residents within our community including those who live alone, are frail and aged, have a disability, are housebound or are recovering from an accident or illness.
“It’s a fantastic service that helps provide reassurance to the recipient and at the same time helps them to maintain some semblance of independence,” Mayor Gair said.
“It may also help provide some peace of mind to family members who may not be able to maintain physical contact as a result of the current social isolation restrictions.”
For more information on the Telecross service provided by the Australian Red Cross, phone 1300 885 698 or visit www.redcross.org.au/telecross.
“These are without doubt challenging days and it’s now more important than even that we come together as a community and help each other out,” the Mayor added.
“Even if we can’t physically get in touch with our neighbours, family members or friends, we can still connect with a phone call or via social media.
“It may be an offer to help with groceries or just a friendly voice to talk to that may make the world of difference to someone doing it tough.
“Either way these acts of kindness will help ensure that when we all pull through the other side of this we’ll be even closer than before.”