b'Were adapting to the new normal We have introduced big changes to the way we operate, to counter the ongoing threat to the health of our residents and staff. In mid-March, with lockdown looming we had to hunker down and meticulously redesign all our processes and procedures. Safety remained our number-one priority throughout; we had to be certain that in carrying out our daily activities we would not place residents and staff at risk of contracting Covid-19. John Welch said: It seems we are now through the initial crisis and starting to bring services back. We are now able todeliver many of our resident services, including urgent repairsand maintenance. But its certainly not business as usual. I am very proud of all of our staff and contractors for their response to the pandemic, especially the Maintenance team members who throughout the lockdown have been carrying out emergency repairs and the staff in our sheltered schemes who have been on site most days. Here we take a look at the changes we have made in response toDean Sharp delivers shopping the unfolding health crisis. to local people in needNew priorities for repairs and maintenance frequently. We are confident that weWhen working at a residents home, will get through the backlog soon, butthey now wear personal protective please bear with us in the meantime. equipment and follow social distancing All work is being carried out inguidelines at all times. They wont accept accordance with our Covid-19 riskcups of tea or ask to use the toilet. assessment and method statements.In response to the pandemic we have also reconfigured our planned maintenance programme of big refurbishment projects that we carry out on a cyclical basis. Bob said: Internal major renewal works, like kitchens and bathrooms, central heating and rewiring, involve multiple trades working in confined spaces for When the lockdown was introduced,longer periods than is the case with our Maintenance Operatives werebasic repairs. able to respond only to requests forThis working arrangement simply emergency repairs. In May we startedisnt feasible at present because it logging routine repair requests frompresents a health risk to staff and residents in the usual way.Head of Asset Delivery Bob Hopkinsresidents alike, so we are focusing Although we are able to carry outsaid: To prevent the spread ofon external major works insteademergency repairs we need to startCovid-19 during our daily repairsthings like roofing, external doors, dealing with more routine repairs,and maintenance activities, we havefascias and guttering. Once we can so please report anything that isintroduced robust new proceduresoperate safely, we will refocus our outstanding. We have also cut back onfor our staff, BSG Property Servicesattention on kitchen and bathroom non-essential tasksfor example, weoperatives and Sun Realm gasrefurbishments, to get our original will be mowing communal lawns lessengineers.programme back on track.FGCH Residents newsletter|Page 2'