The innovative work carried out by the staff of Sligo County Council during the COVID-19 crisis will be highlighted on #YourCouncilDay, which takes place today, Wednesday July 1.
Your Council Day 2020
Your Council Day 2020
The innovative work carried out by the staff of Sligo County Council during the COVID-19 crisis will be highlighted on #YourCouncilDay, which takes place today, Wednesday July 1.
Sligo’s swift reaction to the demands of lockdown saw staff from the council’s Roads, Environment, Fisheries and Traffic Warden departments redeployed to help Sligo University Hospital.
The staff supported the hospital’s contingency plans including relocating the entrance to the hospital, traffic management to facilitate COVID-19 screening and the introduction of access controls.
“The council staff played an important role in enabling and facilitating a number of key changes across the hospital to ensure that patients could attend safely,”
said Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager.
“In addition, we appreciate the support of Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council and Thomas Kilfeather, Director of Services, for releasing staff to the hospital.”
On behalf of the hospital she thanked the staff for their efforts, in particular the team of traffic wardens – Eugene Hunt, Tony Fox, Stephen Burns and Stephen Reynolds.
#YourCouncilDay will showcase what is happening on the day throughout the council and also highlight the innovation shown by local authorities in supporting the community through the lockdown.
Social media users throughout the community are also asked to post their experiences of council initiatives using the hashtag #YourCouncilDay.
“The current crisis has highlighted the true nature of public service in communities across the country,”
said Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council.
The unique circumstances of COVID-19 prompted councils to innovate in how they provided both day-to-day services and additional supports to the public.
Faced with the challenge of social distancing, and with many of their own staff working from home, local authorities brought novel solutions to the complex problems posed by the new realities of lockdown.
Thousands of public servants adopted new skills and devised innovative ways of delivering services to those who needed them most.
All local authorities established Community Support Programmes to co-ordinate a multi-agency response to deliver services while COVID-19 restrictions are in force.
Councils moved to support those faced with isolation, activating befriending services with regular phone calls, starting local radio shows and organising book and even musical instrument deliveries to combat loneliness.
Vital services moved online bringing a range of virtual supports into people’s homes such as inclusive exercise classes for all ages and adapted exercises for older people in self-isolation.
We have seen live-streamed storytelling, virtual Zoom book clubs and online choirs supporting community spirits through dark days.