Humanitarian Assistance Response Team

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Humanitarian Assistance Response Team

The Humanitarian Assistance Response Team is the new council service to support isolated people and coordinate relief efforts during the coronavirus crisis

Humanitarian Assistance Response Team (Hart)

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, District Councils across the UK set up new teams to support residents with the supply of vital food and medicine deliveries and signpost to services. Newark and Sherwood District Council set up its Humanitarian Assistance Response Team (Hart) in March 2020. The Hart service will continue to support residents throughout this pandemic, signposting and/or making referrals to local volunteers and support services.

The government has updated its shielding advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people.

From 1 April 2021this group of people will no longer be required to shield. A copy of the letter sent out is available here- CEV letter and guidance (PDF File, 205kb) (PDF File, 205kb).

As a result of this change in advice, we will no longer be offering the same levels of support for this group. However, if you are asked to self-isolate we do have support options, outlined below, available for you.

Support from a friend or relative

In the first instance, you should ask if any friends or family can collect medicines or food for you. If you feel it is essential for your mental health and wellbeing they may be able to form a support bubble with you although this should be balanced against the increased risk of infection. More information on support bubbles can be found on the government website.

Support from local groups

If you are isolated and you're unable to make a support bubble, there are a huge number of community groups and volunteers listed on the Nottinghamshire Coronavirus Community Support Hub who can help with:

Food deliveries
Collecting and delivering medicines
Personal and social support (dog walking, collecting newspapers)
Advice on physical and emotional health
Transport needs.

Nottinghamshire Coronavirus Community Support Hub

If you are vulnerable or are struggling with the means to pay for food, then please email the hub at enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk. Your enquiry will be answered by Nottinghamshire County Council who will triage your call to the best place, most likely that will be to the District Council’s Hart team. Please make sure you have enough food and medication to last the weekend.

If you do not have access to the internet or to email, please call 0300 500 8080.

Please ensure that you have enough food and medication to last the weekend and if not, please contact the Hub using the above methods in advance.

Help and support for residents.

Information for the clinically extremely vulnerable on the future of the shielding programme.

Up to date information for those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable is available here.

Additional information for residents.

A range of additional information including pharmacy opening hours, food banks and mental wellbeing support is all available on our COVID-help page.

Information for Community and Volunteer Groups

If you are supporting or running a Community Group, specific information is available for you on our Community Group page.

If you wish to register a community group, faith group, charity, parish or town council that has been supporting people on the hub, further details are available on the Nottinghamshire community support and volunteering hub.

If there are changes to your service as a community group or volunteer and you are registered on the Nottinghamshire Covid Community Support Hub, please email hart@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk with your updates so your record on the hub can be updated.