Council says farewell to COVID Support Officers

Date published: 30th March 2022

North Norfolk District Council have said farewell to their COVID Support Officers, who had been working within the council and community since December 2020.

These officers played a vital role in re-opening the district after lockdowns by providing advice, guidance and reassurance to residents, visitors and businesses in the community.

The COVID Support Officers provided support across the whole district, including Holt, Stalham, Fakenham, Cromer, Sheringham, Wells-next-the-Sea, and North Walsham.

The jobs they conducted included delivering food parcels, helping those who could not leave their homes with medication or groceries, those self-isolating alone, conducting contact tracing and assisting businesses to re-open after COVID through the COVID Safe Awards.

The Council thanked the officers for doing a great job serving the community when they needed it the most with a farewell event on Thursday, 24th March. These roles were temporary roles supported by funding from Norfolk County Council, which ends from April 1st.

Emily Capps, Assistant Director for Environment and Leisure Services said:

“The COVID Support Officers have been a great resource and asset for the council, providing services and resources for the local community and businesses.

They have been a vital lifeline for many residents in an unprecedented time”

During the height of summer, there were ten officers and a COVID Support Coordinator.

These jobs provided individuals from the temporary work register with employment on a temporary basis, some of which had been working in the role for 18 months.

Three of the COVID Support Officers have secured other jobs within the Council in the Benefits and the Public Protection departments. The others have gained valuable transferrable skills that they can take into their future endeavours.

These officers were an asset to the council and brought new energy and skills with them.