That’s where Alice Russell is playing a huge part.

Alice normally works as the Midlands Service Improvement Group officer on behalf of 21 Midland authorities.

But recently she’s been instrumental in assisting Derbyshire County Council’s Emergency Planning team in setting up the Local Resilience Forum’s Personal Protective Equipment store.

She has developed monitoring systems and manages the store together with her colleague Daniel Wharton who usually works in construction services.

Alice said:

“We are providing emergency PPE supplies to care homes, homecare providers, GP’s surgeries, urgent dental care centres and hospitals across Derbyshire when they are unable to access equipment from their usual suppliers.  

“With the help of the Derbyshire Blood Bike volunteers we are then able to distribute supplies across the county.”

The PPE store is accessed seven days a week with deliveries and collections throughout the day dependent on need.

Alice and the team have had to be available to respond as and when required as the need for protective equipment for staff has been very high.