As a responsible employer and service provider that works in the social housing sector on resident’s homes, it is important we set out our guidelines and policy on our response to Phase 2 of the unprecedented pandemic, COVID-19. Our Phase 1 response, Lockdown Procedures, has worked well. We are now getting our business ready for Phase 2 – Post Lockdown (easing of restrictions) and have set out our procedures for Getting Back to Work in a safe way that protects our staff and our customers. First and foremost, we continue to adopt and support Government guidelines within our working practises.
We have prepared a series of risk assessments for each key service stream that we provide, with guidance for our staff and residents receiving our services. This has been communicated to our staff through online meetings and interactive online training portals. This overview document should be read in conjunction with the linked guidance procedures summarised on the service stream slides. As Government restrictions are eased, we look forward to working collaboratively with our clients to assist wherever possible in developing safe working practices in order to facilitate the recommencement of works in line with client operating procedures.
If you are a client who has not received this yet, or a social housing landlord who may want to use our services, please do not hesitate to contact us to request a copy.
GOOD NEWS STORIES (FOSTER STARS )
Everyone in the business is a star at the moment, but we want to highlight some examples of the fantastic deeds and acts of kindness they are undertaking in these times. Our “family” is a great example of not just custodians of the Foster values, but as caring people who put others before themselves.
COTTENHAM BRANCH
We have helped to move an elderly gentleman who had just come out of hospital, a homeless person, into a new home. We’re also about to move a family next week, all for South Cambridgeshire District Council, as their removal company has had to furlough all its staff.
Steve Luker, Regional Operations Manager, commented: “We are thinking outside of our normal service offering and doing anything we can to help”
NEEDHAM
We received a call from Colne Housing’s Head of Service with a request for much needed face masks to enable Colne staff to attend to a vulnerable situation.
Tracy Johnson sourced what seemed to be ‘the last’ face masks in the East… These were delivered by our supply chain to a drop box and collected by our supervisor Josh Brown.
Once in possession of these masks, Josh delivered them to Colne’s Head of Service home address, equipping Colne’s staff with essential PPE for frontline services.
NORWICH
Poppy Ward, Benjamin Court Hospital, Norfolk – We were approached by the NHS to assist them with a project to refurbish a Nursing Ward to accept non-COVID patients from other hospitals in an attempt to relieve pressure on those hospitals. The first contact was made on Monday 6th April for a project start on Thursday 9th April. The bulk of the works had to be complete by Sunday 12th April, ready for an intake of patients. The works comprised converting 15 offices to wards with new flooring, decorations, blinds, medical tracking and curtains. With 3 days to plan, the project commenced on the 9th as required.
We had excellent support from Brewers, who travelled from Cambridge to open the Norwich Branch to ensure essential materials were available. Hicks Flooring also pulled out all the stops to meet the deadline. Our own FPM team worked through the Easter weekend to ensure the project was delivered and wards were ready for the first intake of patients.
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