During the first two weeks of “lockdown” due to Covid-19 Aisling has scaled down the usual face-to-face outreach visits and in line with government guidance is working remotely from home. The over-riding concern of Aisling is the welfare of our clients all of whom are vulnerable in some way and many were isolated and alone before the lockdown. Our priority therefore is to maintain contact within the strict limitations the current emergency calls for. OUTREACH SERVICE

Social isolation. Aisling staff have concentrated initially on welfare phone-calls to ensure our clients understand the importance of staying home and to protect themselves and others from the virus. However, our clients are very vulnerable with complex needs such as mental health and alcohol dependency and the message needs to be reinforced daily with some of our clients needing regular phone calls. Many of our clients are already isolated so daily phone calls are a lifeline. Clients receive daily phone-calls from Aisling’s alcohol and health outreach workers. We also keep in touch with texts and emails.

Alcohol support Our Alcohol worker continues to provide much needed alcohol support and advice by phone. In this lockdown period the consumption of alcohol is expected to increase, and it is essential we provide ongoing alcohol support to those most at risk of increasing alcohol intake and/or relapse if alcohol free. These contacts occur once daily and more regularly depending on the individual needs of our clients. Social Welfare

During the first two weeks we have offered a limited outreach service to some of our most vulnerable clients delivering essential food items and dropping off medication. This was done whilst maintaining social distancing. This also serves as an opportunity to have a short conversation so breaking social isolation for our clients. In addition to the deliveries of essential items, the outreach worker as encouraged clients to register with a nominated chemist for delivery of medications going forward. In the first two weeks we have delivered essential items across seven boroughs within London.

Delivery of essential items/medicines

Health Outreach Most of Aislings clients are in receipt of benefits and despite the lockdown there is ongoing issues around benefits suspensions and appeals. In the last two weeks the health outreach worker has successfully assisted in the appeal of Personal Independence payments for three clients. Secured accommodation for a mother and child escaping emotional abuse and helped reinstate universal credit for a gentleman who had benefits suspended due to an administration area. The health outreach worker is also able to give information to clients around Covid19, sheilding and the reasons for social distancing and shielding. Volunteers. Our volunteer coordinator his keeping in touch with 15 volunteers. 10 clients have a volunteer phone them weekly and two volunteers have dropped off food parcels for two clients. The volunteer coordinator herself keeps in touch with four clients.

Management Committee

The Management Committee receives fortnightly updates from the team and we have plans to meet via video conference for our quarterly meetings depending on how the current situation continues. Going Forward We aim to keep our clients protected and will maintain daily contact to ensure that social isolation is minimised and be on hand in-case any social or welfare issues present. We are looking to provide effective sign posting to statutory agencies as appropriate during this time and supplement with more deliveries of essential items as needed. As a small team we communicate a few times a week to discuss cases and adjust how we work as needed. We are planning a donation drive of non-perishable items as well as fresh vegetables for future food deliveries. It is important during this time that we help our clients maintain good emotional and physical health.

Going Forward

We aim to keep our clients protected and will maintain daily contact to ensure that social isolation is minimised and be on hand in-case any social or welfare issues present. We are looking to provide effective sign posting to statutory agencies as appropriate during this time and supplement with more deliveries of essential items as needed. As a small team we communicate a few times a week to discuss cases and adjust how we work as needed. We are planning a donation drive of non-perishable items as well as fresh vegetables for future food deliveries. It is important during this time that we help our clients maintain good emotional and physical health.