IMPORTANT: Change to services due to Coronavirus (Covid-19) from Tuesday 17th March

We are making significant changes to our services because of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the UK.

Please read this note as it will tell you about the decisions we have made and also how all our customers can play a part in supporting your services and neighbours.

1. We are closing our office/community centre to the general public:   This will take effect from Tuesday the 17th of March. 

2. Face to face appointments only if absolutely necessary: If the situation arises for face to face contact staff may be wearing protective clothing or face masks. Please do not be alarmed as we are taking additional precautions to increase the personal safety of everyone present.  

3.Repairs service – emergency/urgent repairs only: To increase social distancing and limit contact we will be instructing only emergency/urgent repairs to be carried out for the foreseeable future. Please consider whether your repair can wait before requesting a visit. If your repair is a low priority we may ask you to wait for it to be carried out. We will also keep in close contact with our contractors in relation to their service availability.

We would also encourage you to send us photographs or a video of the repair to remove the need for a pre-inspection. Please call us to discuss this further.

4. All community activity including tenant participation, and other meetings and events are suspended: As of Tuesday, 17th March, all community activities are suspended. This includes lunch club, all stars café, social isolation trips and all of the Co-op’s programme of work.

We will let you know when these are up and running again.

5.Our close cleaning services will to operate as normal at this time.  This will include an enhanced clean to all handrails, push bars, door entry systems and window handles within the common close areas.

6 As far as we know, services from North Lanarkshire Council Waste Management operate as normal.  We ask that tenants and other residents ensure that all rubbish is placed in the appropriate bins as normal.

You should let us know if you are self-isolating or have recently returned from any of the countries in lockdown.  Please note, we will share this information with our approved contractors.

Working Hours General Enquiries – 01698 263311   All calls from 9am to 4.30pm will be answered by a member of staff as normal.  If your call goes to voicemail leave a message and someone will be in touch as soon as possible.  

Out of hours emergency repairs  -  0844 247 2120 (Rodgers and Johnston) please remember to consider what you are reporting and if it can wait and it is not dangerous to do so, we will ask that you co-operate.  

Email enquiries – enquiries@forgewoodcoop.org.uk

Gas central heating (all repairs)   0845 606 1555 (Saltire 24 hours) 

Gas escapes – 0800 111 999

Coronavirus

Health Advice – taking personal responsibility for your health
For now, taking personal responsibility for our own care, including frequent hand washing and not touching your face, are amongst the UK and Scottish governments’ key messages.

It is recommended that everyone follows this advice. If you have any worries or concerns you should call NHS 24 on 111 or visit NHS Inform’s website on www.nhsinform.scot

The World Health Organisation has also published a list of protection measures which include:

• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub
• Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene when you cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into an elbow not your hand. Use a tissue where possible and put it in a covered bin immediately.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
• Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid travelling to these places.

Please also refer to the documentation previously sent by the co-op, which is also on our website.  

We hope that everyone in our community stays safe and follows the advice and guidance issued.