The "Community Call", a major initiative that links local and national government with the community and voluntary sectors, was announced by Government today and is an unprecedented mobilisation of both state and voluntary resources to combat the effects of COVID-19. The purpose of the call is to coordinate community activity, direct community assistance where it is needed and marshal the volunteering energy of the Country.

The immediate focus is to ensure that our elderly and most vulnerable are looked after, where they have no immediate family or neighbours to assist.
To answer the Government's "Community Call", Kilkenny County Council has a dedicated community support confidential helpline up and running and has established the Kilkenny COVID-19 Community Response Forum.

The role of the Forum is to ensure that there is a co-ordinated community response and to enable all voluntary statutory agencies to collaborate in support of our communities and particularly of our most vulnerable members.

We are here to help.
We are operating 8.00a.m. to 8.00p.m., 7 days a week.
Contact us on 1800 500000 or email covidsupport@kilkennycoco.ie for help.

Following the Government Launch today, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Peter 'Chap' Cleere, commented "I welcome the launch of this wonderful initiative during this very difficult time for everyone. There are a number of voluntary organisations and agencies currently doing excellent work in delivering care to older and vulnerable people in our communities. These groups are currently operating independently of each other and Kilkenny County Council's role, through this initiative, is to provide a targeted, integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of these much-needed services to our more vulnerable citizens across the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge everyone to observe the social distancing guidelines and Stay at Home. This is what is needed in order for us to fight this virus and Stop the Spread. Please stay safe and healthy and we will come through this together."