Communities Come Together to Check In 
Healthy Wexford & Wexford Public Participation Network (PPN) collaborate to check in on those living alone or more isolated as part of the ‘Keep Well’ campaign in Wexford.

During the current restrictions neighbourly check in is even more important and so the Wexford Keep Well ‘Community Check In’ initiative is doing just that in an innovative and non-contact way with ‘Check in’ Cards. The postcard size cards provide details of the Wexford County Council Community Call helpline on one side, and a friendly message on the reverse ‘I called today to check in and see how you are doing. If you need anything or even a chat give me a call, or contact the Community Call Helpline (details overleaf)’  Cards have been distributed to Wexford PPN Member groups who conduct the local check-in activity. 

The concept of the cards is that it is not intrusive to the vulnerable or isolated person, and gives them an invitation to connect, should they wish to do so – either with the local person who dropped the card, or with the Wexford County Council Community Call Helpline.  As a security element, and reassurance to the recipient, the cards provide a space for the person leaving the card to identify how the recipient may know them – e.g. Mary from No. 4, John from the local shop etc.  The PPN Member simply fills in their details and drops the card in the post box of the person – ensuring a non-contact check in.  PPN Members will also only conduct ‘check ins’ within their own 5km radius.    

Speaking of the initiative Annette Dupuy, Healthy County Coordinator said: ‘We are delighted to be collaborating with Wexford PPN on this initiative.  As a network with over 400 member groups across the county they will ensure a broad reach. The hope is also that by linking with established groups, this may help to build community connections locally and therefore be a sustainable and resilient approach to offer support.’

Wexford PPN volunteer and current Wexford PPN Committee Member John Carr said ‘Many of our member groups had answered the call back in March when the Community Call was looking for support across communities.  We are delighted to answer the call once again by getting involved in this initiative’

This initiative is part of the local initiatives funded under the ‘Keep Well’ Community Resilience Campaign.  The Keep Well campaign is brought to you with thanks to Healthy Ireland an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare fund, delivered by Pobal.  Head of the Community Section at Wexford County Council, Paul L’Estrange, highlighted ’This is just one of a number of local ‘Keep Well‘ initiatives where the Community Section and other Departments at Wexford County Council are linking in with communities to support our citizens.’  

Contact: Annette Dupuy, Healthy County Coordinator
               087-6095565 annette.dupuy@wexfordcoco.ie

To read more about the Keep Well Resilience Campaign see here.
To find out more about Healthy Wexford see here.
To find out more about Wexford PPN see here.

Wexford County Council Community Call Line is available on 053-9196000
To access local information to #KeepWell on Wexford County Council's see the #WexfordTogether page here or Healthy Wexford Social Media pages
or for National Resources see here.