The YMCA, which has shared bathrooms and a communal dining room, has made changes to ensure it is possible for its 148 residents to self-isolate.
Each floor in the premises now has one bathroom for people who have contracted Covid-19 and another for those who have not.
Room service is being offered to those affected, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Director of Houseing, Brian Cooke, tells Time 107.5: “We normally have quite a communal arrangement with our tables and chairs but we’ve spread them around two rooms, so we can have residents sitting further apart from each other.
“We’ve got the floor marked up with two metre lines.
“We asked all residents to advise if they have somewhere else they can go for the short term, that would enable them to self-isolate, but many don’t have that option.
“We’ve also found that available advice has been limited about what to do – we’re in an unusual situation, where our residents share facilities.
“If you can imagine, with a hostel of 148 people in it, if we got it wrong, it could be spread and we’d have many unwell people.”
Residents have also been offered cheap online workouts after the on-site gym was closed and fitness classes cancelled.
Health & Wellbeing Manager, Viki Bainsfair said: “We’ve been working really hard to keep our fitness provision going as much as possible.
“We know how important it is to keep your mental health strong during times of difficulty and we’re offering our members online access to classes and workouts they can do at home for a fraction of the cost of their usual membership fee.”
Despite the charity being affected by the closure of its core services, residents have been involved in helping elsewhere.
They have helped with cleaning duties, as many of the current cleaning team fall into the vulnerable category, as well as offers of picking up shopping for those that live near to the YMCA buildings.
Mr Cooke said: “So many of our residents either study or work, and are now staying in the hostel due to the lockdown. However they are keen to help our neighbours and their fellow residents.
“The sense of community here is one I’m really proud of.”
The YMCA in Romford and Temple Hill, Dartford, also continues to offer childcare to key workers.
Tags: Romford, Havering
