We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.
Shielding Residents
We have now contacted all 4409 residents on the shielding list by phone, email or letter. Of these, we have spoken to 3813 residents and completed initial checks with them to establish and coordinate the help they need. We issued letters last week to the 596 people for whom we have no phone number or who have not responded to our calls asking that they get in touch with us. To ensure the wellbeing of people who have not responded to our letters or calls, our 19 employee volunteer pharmacy drivers will call at each address from today to offer any help or support.
Deterring Unwanted Callers
Our Trading Standards and Environmental Health (TSEH) Team have received reports of residents receiving unwanted doorstep calls and leaflets from people offering a range of services. Residents, particularly those who are self-isolating, are concerned this may put them at an increased risk and that some of the services on offer may be scams. We have therefore produced a door sticker which can be used to deter unwanted callers and mailers. Residents can request a free doorstep warning sticker via the Covid helpline (01292 616101) or by downloading one from our website.
Lockdown Lowdown Survey
The Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot partnered recently to deliver LockdownLowdown – a survey of nearly 2,500 young people from across Scotland on their concerns about COVID-19. Key findings have been published, outlining what young people are worried about and the impact that COVID-19 is having on their lives. Young people can continue to submit any concerns through a weekly check-in on social media on @YoungScot’s Instagram stories. You can find out more and view the survey findings here- https://syp.org.uk/our-work/political-work/covid-19/ or on Twitter using the hashtag #LockdownLowdown.
We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.
Connecting Scotland – Widening Digital Access To Young People
As part of the national Connecting Scotland strategy, we are working to reduce digital exclusion and widen access to online learning for local young people. Education Services and ICT staff have worked in partnership with schools to identify children and young people in South Ayrshire with limited or no access to ICT equipment or broadband.
We have identified 6 pilot schools – Girvan Academy, Sacred Heart Primary School (PS), St Cuthbert’s PS, Newton PS, Tarbolton PS and Dailly PS. We are repurposing devices from existing school equipment and the ICT team have worked to make sure that all devices can be used safely and appropriately outwith the school environment. We are issuing approximately 50 laptops or tablets to young people who need them in this first, pilot phase. In some cases we are also providing dongles to make internet access available to young people at home.
It is our intention to continue to roll out this approach, working with schools across South Ayrshire and the Scottish Government to provide further devices.
Support For Local Businesses
The Economy and Regeneration Team launched the seventh issue of their e-magazine Business Beat. This issue focusses on support for tourism related businesses and can be accessed here.