Hartlepool Day Service staff in the spotlight

Hartlepool Borough Council is keen to highlight the dedication and commitment of key teams of staff – whilst also acknowledging the vital contributions of all key workers during the Coronavirus outbreak.

In line with Government guidance, most regular users of Hartlepool Day Service are not currently attending its base at The Centre for Independent Living (CIL) in Burbank Street.

However, staff are still providing an essential Monday-Friday service to around 12 people with disabilities who continue to benefit from a range of therapeutic activities, including arts and gardening.  People who are being supported by the service have produced a birthday card for champion NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore who is celebrating his 100th birthday today, and - along with staff - they are wearing red, white and blue today to mark the occasion.

One of the people still attending is Neal Peek, 37, whose dad Harry, 78, paid tribute to all of the staff, saying: “They are just marvellous. They are totally dedicated and nothing is a problem. Things would be really difficult for me and my wife Carole if the centre wasn’t open.”

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “There is no better endorsement of a service than comments like this from a parent who can’t speak highly enough of staff due to the excellent quality of care they provide to his disabled son.

“I would like to thank all members of staff at Hartlepool Day Service for their excellent work – it is clear that they are valued so highly by the people they look after and their families.

“Let’s all turn out in force again at 8pm tonight to pay a special Hartlepool tribute to them and everyone else playing a vital role in the Covid-19 response.”

Caroline Armstrong, the Council’s Day Services Manager, added: “It is great to hear such positive comments. Day Service staff are doing a marvellous job and I cannot praise them enough for their efforts in continuing to provide such a dedicated service. They are such a great team to work with.”

She said staff are also providing vital assistance to the Council’s Hartlepool Support Hub which was set up to help people in the borough who are self-isolating or otherwise unable to leave their homes. It has taken thousands of calls and overseen the distribution of hundreds of food parcels and prescriptions since being launched. In addition, staff are helping out the authority’s Direct Care and Support Service that supports people in their own homes.  The service is based at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and has seen an increase in activity linked to Covid-19.