Council care staff go the extra mile during the snow

As the winter conditions have set in over the past week, West Berkshire Council's dedicated team of homecare assistants and night wardens have continued to make visits to local residents despite the weather.

Several of our staff have been walking for up to 30 minutes to reach residents. One even walked from her home in Thatcham to Valley Road in Newbury to get to her first client.

Some gave up their free time to get to the more remote areas. Two staff, one who only works mornings and another on her day off, spent a whole day doing visits around Chapel Row. Other staff also picked up extra calls for times they do not normally work.

In areas such as Kintbury, Hungerford and Lambourn our staff managed to get around to residents locally, while one with a 4x4 vehicle even helped other carers to get around.

In Thatcham, Mortimer, Burghfield and Tilehurst local residents have been visited by carers who live near-by and could walk to them, in many cases covering several visits over and above their normal working hours.

One of our team managers also walked more than 6 miles to ensure two disabled and elderly ladies who lived on their own in Tilehurst had fresh milk and other food supplies.

Joe Mooney, West Berkshire Executive Councillor for Community Care said: "We should all be very grateful to the staff who have really gone that extra mile during these difficult winter conditions. I know that many of them have worked extremely hard to make sure those who need visits still receive them. I would like them all to know that their efforts are greatly appreciated."

Source: West Berkshire Council