Richmond Council is calling on retired social workers to return to work in a bid to try and help support residents through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Council says it will be making provisions to offer seven-day-week services, between 8am to 8pm, to cope with the increased demand anticipated over the coming months.

Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee at Richmond Council, said: “Ensuring that all our vulnerable residents are able to access the support they need is the number one priority for the Council at this time.

"The coronavirus pandemic is putting a huge amount of pressure on our already very stretched social work teams.

"They are all doing a tremendous job.

"But the demand for social care services is only going to increase as the pandemic continues.

"By recruiting those social workers who are not currently in employment and supporting retired social workers to return to work, it could be a significant boost for the community."

Since the start of the pandemic, the need has significantly increased, and these additional pressures have meant that more qualified social workers are needed to help some of the most vulnerable residents in the borough.

A local campaign has been launched to recruit out-of-work social workers and invite those who have recently retired to temporarily return to work to help with the effort.

Qualified care workers can find out more information about the roles available by contacting priya.samuel@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk