Cllr Bev Craig at the New Smithfield's Market site, the base of the Mutual Aid Hub
A huge milestone has been passed as Manchester and Trafford Council continue to support the most vulnerable people in the region throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, the team at the mutual aid hub has distributed more than 5 million pieces of PPE (personal protective equipment).
The hub, established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was set up to provide urgently needed PPE equipment to frontline key workers whilst undergoing their essential day-to-day work.
Those that worked at the Hub often were among the unsung heroes of the Covid-19 crisis response. Officers would work long days, weekends and often during their own time to ensure that frontline workers could go about their business as safely as possible.
The hub has provided an assortment of equipment to a variety of out of hospital care providers across both Manchester and Trafford. It has helped organisations including care homes and voluntary sector services.
The New Smithfield’s Market site, the base of the Mutual Aid Hub was also at the forefront of food distribution across the city during the most severe lockdown restrictions. With over 7,000 requests for food the hub was able to support 14,461 residents, of which 80% were supported for a prolonged period of time. In total 181,000 individual food parcels were distributed across the city.
Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, said: “The resilience of the people of Manchester has been epitomised by the hard work and dedication of all those who have worked at the mutual aid hub since the beginning the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When those frontline key workers put up the call for help sourcing PPE, the city heard and delivered an overwhelming response.
“I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the mutual aid hub, your efforts are truly appreciated.”
Jenny Osborne Head of the HUB (PPE System Lead Manchester and Trafford), said: “The commitment and hard work of all those involved has been something truly wonderful to see. I wish to thank everyone who played their part, no matter how big or small.
“We knew it would be a challenge, but through the determination and the collective efforts of all those involved have made a significant contribution to keeping our residents and health and care staff safe.”
Trafford Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Western, commented: “Ever since the start of the pandemic, we have worked together with local healthcare agencies, local authorities and other critical agencies to tackle the impact of Covid-19 in the borough of Trafford.
“The Trafford and Manchester PPE Mutual Aid Hub has reached this incredible 5 million milestone thanks to the dedication and sheer hard work of all the team members.
“Together we will all continue to work hard to ensure that all primary care providers in Trafford will have the right protective equipment when they need it.”