Call for people to remember the commitment of Hartlepol day service staff during Clap for Carers applause

Hartlepool Borough Council is keen to highlight the dedication and commitment of key teams of staff during the weekly Thursday night event as well as recognising all key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The lockdown means most regular users of Hartlepool Day Service are not currently attending its base at The Centre for Independent Living (CIL) in Burbank Street.

But staff are still providing a range of therapeutic activities to around 12 people with disabilities including arts and gardening.

Centre users have produced a birthday card for champion NHS fundraiser Captain – now Colonel – Tom Moore for his 100th birthday today, and along with staff are wearing red, white and blue to mark the occasion.

One of the people still attending is Neal Peek, 37, whose dad Harry, 78, paid tribute to all of the staff, saying: “They are totally dedicated and nothing is a problem.

“Things would be really difficult for me and my wife Carole if the centre wasn’t open.”

Council leader Councillor Shane Moore said: “There is no better endorsement of a service than comments like this from a parent who can’t speak highly enough of staff due to the excellent quality of care they provide to his disabled son.

“I would like to thank all members of staff at Hartlepool Day Service for their excellent work – it is clear that they are valued so highly by the people they look after and their families.

“Let’s all turn out in force again at 8pm tonight to pay a special Hartlepool tribute to them and everyone else playing a vital role in the Covid-19 response.”

Day Services manager Caroline Armstrong said she could not praise the staff highly enough adding: “It is great to hear such positive comments.”

Staff are also helping out at the council’s Hartlepool Support Hub which was has overseen the distribution of hundreds of food parcels and prescriptions to people self-isolating or otherwise unable to leave their homes.

And they are helping with the authority’s Direct Care and Support Service that supports people in their own homes.

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