Free PPE for extra resident unpaid carers in Cheshire

Unpaid carers across Cheshire, who do not live with the person they care for, can now get free personal protective equipment (PPE).

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in partnership with Cheshire West Carers Support Service, Vivo Carers Choices, and Cheshire Carers Hub are providing free PPE for all unpaid carers, who do not live in the same household as the person they are caring for.

An unpaid carer can be anyone, of any age, who cares, unpaid for a friend or family member, who due to a condition, illness, disability or addiction, cannot cope without their support.

To facilitate the distribution PPE hubs have been established in Northwich, Winsford, Ellesmere Port, Winsford and various contact points within Cheshire East.

Hubs will operate on an order and collect service, which will mean that extra resident carers are able to contact Cheshire West Carers Support Service, and Cheshire Carers Hub if you live in Cheshire East, by telephone or email to arrange to pick up a preprepared PPE pack containing masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser.

For those living in Cheshire West and Chester collection from Cheshire West Carers Trust is available from the following hubs:

• Northwich - Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust office, 146 London Road CW9 5HH Monday to Thursday 10.00 – 16.00
• Chester – Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust office, The Bluecoat building, CH1 4EE Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10.00 – 14.00

Starting 15 March 2021 the following hubs will be also be open for collection and distribution:

• Ellesmere Port – Coronation Centre, Coronation Road, CH65 9AB, days and times to be confirmed
• Winsford – Meadow Bank Lodge 12 Green Lane, CW7 2BP, days and times to be confirmed

Contact Cheshire West Carers Support to arrange a collection:

• 0300 102 0008
• advice@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

For those living in Cheshire East can be arranged via Cheshire Carers Hub, who will direct carers to their nearest collection point:

• 0300 123 5035

All collections are via prebooked appointments only and all social distancing guidelines must be followed.

For those carers who are unable to physically travel to any of the distribution hubs a limited delivery service will also operate.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “It is great news that our unpaid extra resident carers are being offered this additional layer of protection free of charge to keep both themselves, and the people they provide such vital services for, safe.

“Our unpaid carers continue to do an amazing job of providing vital care services in the face of very real challenges brought on by this pandemic.”

Councillor Laura Jeuda, Cheshire East Council’s portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: “This is very welcome news and will help to keep extra-resident carers safe whilst they undertake such a commendable role.

“This will also protect the residents themselves, many of whom are extremely vulnerable so need all the levels of defence possible from the deadly COVID-19 virus.”   

It is not currently recommended that you wear PPE when caring for someone you live with unless advised to by a healthcare professional.

For more information on effective use of PPE and advice for carers national guidance can be found here.