A council has issued a rallying call for residents to join its care and support workers in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Waltham Forest Council has called for residents, volunteers and people wanting to get back into caring to sign up.

The council is working with Whipps Cross hospital to discharge all patients as soon as they are clinically safe to do so to help free up to at least 15,000 beds across the entire NHS.

Volunteers and residents who may be looking for short-term paid work to provide care and support are urgently needed to help the effort, this could be retired carers or volunteers wanting to get into homecare.

Leader of the council, Cllr Clare Coghill said: “As we work together to reduce the pressure on the NHS we have an increase in the number of people going home from hospital and are going to need many more staff to support this vital work.

"Homecare is having a carer visit you in your own home to help with things such as dressing, medication and preparing food and drink. Many of our residents coming out of hospital require visits daily from carers who not only can support them with these tasks but check on their wellbeing.

"All staff working in care and support are kept as safe as possible with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

"If any residents are looking for short term paid work and a chance to provide help in the fight against coronavirus, we urge you to please get in touch.”

Waltham Forest Council have agreed for arrangements with two of their providers Revive Care Service and Kare Plus to recruit and train – online and via video conference – anyone who is accepted.

Carers can select working hours to suit their needs and will receive good rates of pay, council officials said.

Anyone wanting to find out more is or wanting to express an interest can email lbwf.covidresponse@gmail.com with their name, postcode and a contact number.

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