Be a good winter neighbour in Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council and its partners are urging residents to ‘be a good winter neighbour’ this season.

As part of the Cheshire East Adult Safeguarding Board’s ‘Stay Warm, Stay Well, Stay Safe’ campaign, the Council would like people to check in on their friends and neighbours, especially if they are older, or have a disability or chronic illness as they may need your help and our support.

The winter cold can be distressing to some and Cheshire East has put together a wealth of detail in one place at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/winter where residents can find advice on a wide range of topics from heating, eating and winter safety to school closures and public transport.

As part of this campaign, the Council has listed some winter warning signs for residents, who should always be on the lookout for signs that something might be wrong:

• Milk still out on the doorstep late in the day
• Newspapers and post stuck in the letterbox
• Curtains drawn during the day
• Lights on during the day
• A home in darkness when there should be someone at home
• A dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in
• Bins not put out on collection days

Information sheets are also being passed around, with important contact details for residents to use should they have any concerns about their safety or for the safety of others in the neighbourhood. These will soon be available in all libraries and customer service points in Cheshire East.

Derek Thomas, the independent chair of the Adult Safeguarding Board, said: “The Board’s job is to promote the safety of vulnerable citizens across Cheshire East so we welcome the plans of the Council, NHS and their many partners to identify and protect those most at risk.

“It is ordinary citizens with a strong sense of personal responsibility whose vigilance and action will make it possible for their family members, friends and neighbours to feel well supported and safe. YOU can make a difference to these people.”

Councillor Roland Domleo, Cabinet member with responsibility for adult services and health and wellbeing, said: “Cheshire East Council and its partners are always here to help and the winter page on our website and information sheets provide a wealth of advice and contact details.

“These could be for those who are worried about an adult and are looking for social care support or who are looking for services to support families or children.”

• For concerns about the welfare or safety of an adult, call 0300 123 5010 (8.30am-5pm) or 0300 123 5022 outside these hours;
• The Family Information Service is available on 0300 123 5033;
• For concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, call 0300 123 5012 (8.30am-5pm) or 0300 123 5022 outside these hours;
• For domestic abuse assistance, call the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit on 01606 363532 or the national 24 hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Residents with internet access can help their friends and neighbours by downloading and printing off the Stay Warm, Stay Well, Stay Safe information sheet from the website and giving it to them.

Meanwhile, Twitter users can follow ‘CheshireEast’ for all latest winter news.