Covid-19 Update (3rd November 2020)

As the coronavirus infection rates increase in many areas and we enter into a second lockdown period, we wanted to reassure everyone who uses our services that we are complying with guidance and doing all we can to keep those services we are able to open and safe.

We are still running our Community Transport services in the Stratford on Avon and Warwick District areas as well as our new service in Rugby Borough.

We review our safety procedures at least once every week and take guidance from the local Public Health team.

This includes:

A strict cleaning regime of vehicles before and after each journey. Volunteers have been supplied with the materials and PPE needed.

All volunteers and passengers to use face coverings. Anyone who is exempt from wearing a face covering will be referred to another service. We have a supply of disposable masks and hand sanitiser for volunteers and passenger use.

A ‘triage’ system, before any journey can take place, passengers will need to go through this to ensure the service is safe for all to use.

Our Memory Groups are still on hold as we are unable to access the venues used. We are looking for suitable Covid secure venues to get these up and running as soon as possible as we understand the loss of these groups has caused additional stress on those who attend and their family carers. However, we must follow guidance and legislation. At present the Rule of 6 is unclear on this and we will get clarification as and when venues are found.

The Rule of 6 means that our social and activity groups remain on hold for now.

The Carers Café was able to run successfully over the summer outside but the change in the weather means we have had to temporarily suspend the meetings. As a support group, this is exempt from the Rule of 6 and we are searching for a Covid secure venue to transfer these to as our normal venue remains closed.

Our allotments are getting cleared ready to be bedded down for the winter and will welcome visitors back in the Spring.

In the meantime, our staff and volunteers have worked so hard, making welfare and support calls, delivering food parcels, PPE and prescriptions and continuing to get people to vital medical appointments.

Our opening hours are as normal, you can contact us via post, email or telephone.

We are following guidance and all staff and volunteers are working from home where possible, but the use of technology means that we are able to continue while reducing the number of contacts made face to face. This means that our office is closed to all visitors until further notice.

We would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers; VASA only exists because of the dedication and hard work of these amazing people.

Please be assured that we will be restarting all of our services, lunch clubs and activities as soon as it is safe to do so.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the service leads.

Take care and keep safe

Kirsty, Charity Manager