Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) is implementing a series of new measures to reduce the threat and impact of the Coronavirus for local residents.

The decision has been taken to cancel all external activities at Sycamore Court, the Association’s Independent Living Hub, with only visitors who are there to provide care and support allowed to access the building. The venue on Buxton Road is now subject to daily deep cleaning as is Perry Common Community Hall.

Non-urgent repair jobs have been batched together, while planning is underway to support those vulnerable individuals and families who may require additional support during this time.

Chief Officer, Afzal Hussain, said: “We have implemented these additional precautionary measures at Sycamore Court to protect our residents, staff and volunteers. We will continue to review the situation and take additional measures as necessary.

“All externally delivered activities are now cancelled, the communal lounge areas are closed and residents are being advised to restrict visitors to ‘essential visits’ only – people who may be there to provide care and support and carry out functions like shopping and picking up GP prescriptions. We will also be providing additional support to our most vulnerable residents at this difficult time.

Meanwhile, resident Chair and Director of Witton Lodge Community Association, Linda Hines, is convening a meeting of local partners to plan and coordinate a community response to support other older and vulnerable residents in Perry Common and Wyrley Birch. This meeting is due to take place tomorrow morning (Wednesday), and will likely involve a call for more volunteers. An update will be provided in due course.

Regular internal meetings are also continuing to ensure the Association is able to respond and communicate swiftly as the Corona virus situation unfolds.