Coronavirus: Red Cross to provide well-being support service for socially isolated Canberrans

The service would see Red Cross volunteers call people to check in and provide well-being support through conversation. Canberrans can register to receive calls from the service.

It is targeted at people who are self-isolating, particularly those who have underlying health conditions and have been disconnected during the pandemic.

It will be funded by the ACT government for six months at $145,000, Minister for Community Services and Facilities Suzanne Orr announced on Tuesday.

"The aim of the calls is to help people feel safe, calm, connected to others and able to access the services and supports they need," she said.

"Through this program, registered residents will be connected with a friendly Red Cross volunteer who can call them as required to check in and see how they are doing."

The announcement came as last week Lifeline Canberra chief executive Carrie-Ann Leeson told an ACT Legislative Assembly committee there had been a 22 per cent increase in calls to service on the same period last year.

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There had also been a 130 per cent increase in the number of calls which required an emergency intervention.

Ms Orr said the Red Cross service would complement Lifeline and other existing services. She said it was targeted at people who were not in crisis but needed support.

"This is another service to complement what we do already have," she said.

"We are asking people who are not quite in crisis but do need support to keep that connection and hopefully support people to not end up in crisis.

"We know everyone in this health emergency is experiencing it differently and we want to make sure everyone is supported."

Red Cross acting regional manager Nina Bullock said the service would be a Monday to Friday referral service but would also take calls on weekends. Volunteers would be proportional to the need.

"I think this service is essential to people's well-being, I think we often underestimate the importance of connection," she said.

"We have been offering similar services to older people and younger people with disabilities for over 20 years so our volunteers and staff are very experienced."

Ms Bullock said the Red Cross had seen a need for support service for social connection in March. She said originally the Red Cross had taken a different idea to the ACT government but tailored it after looking at different approaches in other states and territories.

Canberrans who want to register for the service can call 6234 7630 between 8am and 4pm daily or can register online through the Community Services website.