19 March 2020
Dear students, parents and carers
Service updates
We are writing to update you on our plans in regards to current delivery of our services.
Following recent Government announcements, Health and Social Care Partnerships throughout the country have been meeting to identify action that is required to be taken to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Part of these measures include the closure of day service provision. This is now across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Therefore, we are taking action to close all Upmo sites and workshop provision delivered from there:
Gorebridge temporary service closure - 19 March 2020 (4pm)
Prestonpans temporary service closure – 20 March 2020 (4pm)
Edinburgh (all sites) temporary service closure – 20 March 2020 (4pm)
Reassurance
Staff at all levels throughout the organisation have pulled together during this unprecedented time to ensure the safe and enjoyable delivery of workshop and groups for our students. We are all deeply saddened by the actions we are having to take during these uncertain times but we understand the reasons why.
Currently, Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian local authorities have all stated they will continue to financially support us alongside other health and social care organisations. This is a significant commitment and ensures that we can continue to pay our staff. Clearly, as buildings are closed, we will have to adapt the way in which we all work.
At present, we are unsure when Upmo’s normal service provision will re-commence due to the complex and changing nature of this pandemic. We will keep you all up to date with information as the situation develops.
In the meantime, we ask all students, parents and carers to please check emails, our website and Facebook on a daily basis to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Thank you all for your time, patience, understanding and support as we work through the coming days and weeks ahead. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you feel there is anything further we can do, or indeed if you have any queries, concerns or further messages of support.
Kind regards
Eric Mitchell
(Interim Chief Executive, on behalf of the senior management team and all staff at Upmo
