The Community Recovery Hotline, Queensland’s COVID-19 information and support line, has received more than 20,000 calls in its first year of operation.
Minister for Communities and Housing, Leeanne Enoch said the Hotline had been a central point of contact for Queenslanders who needed support to access groceries, medicines and other essential items during the pandemic.
“In just 12 months, our hardworking hotline staff have answered more than 20,000 calls, resulting in 11,150 requests for assistance,” Ms Enoch said.
“The Hotline staff worked with our partners, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, GIVIT, the Rapid Relief Team, St Vincent De Paul and Uniting Care Queensland, to coordinate these requests and help Queenslanders get the support they needed,” she said.
“In fact, these non-Government organisations helped us support more than 2,600 requests for food, 1,800 requests for medication and 2,400 requests for household and personal hygiene items.”
Ms Enoch said that as an important frontline service, the Community Recovery Hotline had operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
She said the Hotline provided support to seniors and people with disability who didn’t have neighbours, family or friends to assist them while they isolated at home.
“The Community Recovery Hotline also played a key role in supporting the Care Army and helping link people with volunteers,” she said.
“Thousands of older Queenslanders received support through the Hotline, and many expressed their gratitude for the help and kindness provided to them by Hotline staff and Care Army volunteers.”
Ms Enoch said the Community Recovery Hotline was still active, on 1800 173 349, for people who needed assistance during the pandemic and had no other means of accessing support.
