Our community in South Lanarkshire has worked incredibly hard for the past 21 months to ensure the health and safety of our people continues throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. It has been hard for all of us. We have had to adapt to a completely different way of working to continue serving the community, especially those in vulnerable situations.

In these uncertain times, we will all continue to support the community and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people in South Lanarkshire, with January 2022 likely to present some new challenges to overcome. Following taking guidance from the Lanarkshire Resilience Partnership, we would like to invite you to take part in some of the directed main priorities to support our local communities.

Here's how to help:

1. Increase Availability of Lateral Flow Testing to Fight COVID-19

We will work together with NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Council to increase distribution of COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing in local areas. If your organisations would like to help increase distribution or support pop-up sites, please fill the form below:

GET INVOLVED NOW

We will be in touch further for operational guidance in early January 2022.

2. Protecting vulnerable people during challenging times

Essential supports for vulnerable residents which were in place earlier in the pandemic may have to be re-mobilised in our local communities come January. The range of support would cover, but not be limited to:

• Face-to-face welfare checks
• Prescription collection and delivery
• Support with shopping
• Food packs delivery

Could you please consider how in your local area some of these community supports could be re-mobilised, should this be the case at the beginning of January?

3. Emergency Contact and Helpline

In a situation where somebody vulnerable in the community needs immediate and emergency assistance, we would like to take the opportunity to remind you of a key portal that is still active.

The South Lanarkshire Council Wellbeing Line on 0303 123 1009 provides advice and support for community members who are self-isolating or vulnerable and whose usual support network is not available.

Should you commence emergency response activities before the new year, please e-mail communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk, so local activity can be mapped and those most in need can be supported.

As Christmas is often a time for reflection, we hope you have the opportunity to take a well-deserved break, socialise safely with your friends and family, and recharge. Thank you for all your support and dedication throughout the year. We would like to offer you our best wishes for the festive season, and for a happy and healthy 2022.