Many of the leading homeless and disability organisations are currently at risk of having to shut their doors during the coronavirus pandemic. This means that some of the most vulnerable people to the current pandemic will be unable to receive the services they need.
As a result, Homeless and Disability charities have issued an urgent appeal to ask members of the public to register as COVID-19 emergency staff.
Organisations such as Depaul, Novas, Dublin Simon, Walk, Sophia Housing, and many more are asking those with relevant qualifications and experience to add their name to a list of individuals who may be called on to help in areas where staff levels have depleted by personnel having to take time off.
The skills and roles required are:
- Reception
- Cleaning staff
- Disability care workers
- Healthcare workers
- Project workers
- Transportation
Una Burns, the Head of Policy and Communications in Novas, said “Our services are homes for some of the most vulnerable people in Ireland. We absolutely must keep them open at this time.”
She elaborated that the HSE has issued “‘a call for Ireland’ to ensure adequate cover for health services, and we are adding our voices to that.”
David Carroll, CEO of Depaul adds: “We are worried that we will be left in a position where we must close services due to too many staff having to take time off. We need people to step up and become ordinary heroes. We know it’s asking a lot, but it’s no more than we are asking of doctors, nurses, Gardai and others who have to go to work every day at this difficult time.”
For those who have working experience in care, teaching, social support services, cooking, transport or reception, “this initiative can connect them to services that vitally need their skills,” says Caroline Gardner, Co-founder of Quality Matters.
Regarding the staff risk of contracting COVID-19, Professor Anthony Staines, the chairperson of Quality Matters— the charity managing Crisis Care— says “these organisations are all taking advice on safety from the HSE, and will be continually adapting this as new advice is available, however, these roles are not recommended for people with underlying health conditions, or who are living with people who do.”
For more information, please see www.crisiscover.ie.
