GLADIS FROM GILGANDRA

Published on 21 April 2020

Gilgandra Shire Council, along with our residents are working together in a community response to the challenges we are currently faced with COVID-19.

COVID 19 has thrown everyone into the challenge of limiting the spread of the virus and its impact on our communities. People’s health and wellbeing are so important, and connection in this time is central for good health. Asking people to stay home, has impacted on the strong volunteer community and means that it is difficult for many of our older residents to stay connected with their loved ones.

GLADIS: Gilgandra Living & Delivering Innovative Services – is our local response.

Director, Community Services Jo Manion says,

“GLADIS is our local multi service response to enable us to maintain our essential community services. Using Community Care funding as a base she brings together council staff redeployed from services like the local gym and Cooee Heritage Centre and the strong local volunteer workforce to continue to provide essential services and extend the support we can provide to people who need to stay at home.”

What GLADIS from Gilgandra will do:

  • Continue meals and essential transport - In Gilgandra with the help of our volunteers the Community Care Service usually delivers meals on wheels, provides social support and transport for older people in our community. Recognising the greater risk volunteers faced in community driving and Meals on Wheels delivery these service are now being delivered by council’s redeployed staff and younger volunteers within the community. 
  • Extend the telephone catch up service - While our strong volunteer base of close to 200 people who fall into an “at risk” category have been urged to stay home, they still want to help, to be part of our community, and importantly connect with those within. The willingness of our volunteers to shift their focus has allowed us to establish a new telephone services which aims to keep in touch with vulnerable residents across our Shire. This service has benefits not just for people receiving the call, but also those making the call. They are a friendly social call and an opportunity to connect people with services they need and generally make sure they are well and safe. 
  • Deliver essential supplies - GLADIS will also provide local shopping delivery services from the local supermarket, pharmacy or butchers to minimise the risk for elderly and vulnerable people. Our staff and volunteers will assist with collection or transportation of supplies for existing clients of Community Care, as well as the wider Gilgandra Shire community, particularly to those without their own support network or living in a more remote rural area. 
  • Books, education and entertainment - GLADIS will also pick up and drop off books and resources from the Gilgandra library. Members of the library, which is free to join, can access Library services through Click or Phone and Collect, as well as offering online programs. 
  • Continue youth connection - online programs targeted to youth as well as education and toy packs have been made available through Gilgandra Library and Youth Services. GLADIS is working with the local schools to develop and distribute educations packs. The team are also working on a new PenPal program to connect residents of the Gilgandra Lifestyles aged care facility and our young people. 
  • Provide essential support - And finally GLADIS will provide the platform to support households who may need to self-isolate in response to a COVID 19 infection

Mayor Doug Batten says, 

“Our community has come together in this time of need and uncertainty with a willingness and commitment to help which is incredibly humbling. We will continue to face these challenges at a local and regional level, together.”

Council would like to ask those that are interested in volunteering for the phone tree service or if you would like to nominate someone to receive a phone call to please contact Council on 6817 8800 or enjoy@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au .

Council is continually reviewing the COVID-19 situation and ongoing advice from Federal and State Governments and NSW Health to ensure appropriate response measures are implemented.

Further information on NSW Health measures and advice in combating COVID-19 are available at | www.health.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus.

Residents are also encouraged to stay up to date with Council’s response locally by visiting www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au/news

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 Contact:  

Jo Manion
Director Community Services
02 6817 8800 

 

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