PPE champion Olivia is an everday hero - The Solihull Observer

PPE champion Olivia is an everday hero

Solihull Editorial 4th Jul, 2020   0

OLIVIA Cooper has been recognised by West Midlands Employers (WME) #EverydayHeroes campaign for how she adapted into a new role to ensure care homes had access to sufficient PPE supplies during the pandemic.

Olivia is service manager for contract management and quality assurance at Warwickshire County Council (WCC), and it was through her role checking the quality of day care centres and care homes that messages about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) started to come through as an issue of concern.

She said: “Overnight we went from not having anything to do with PPE – it just wasn’t in our remit – to having to get hold of it, work out who needed it, tell people about it and get it to them. We basically set up a mini distribution hub in just three days.”

Olivia and the procurement team hit the phones and started the task to track down PPE. They sourced PPE from recently closed dentists and schools for use across Warwickshire, the IT team donated the masks they wear for dusty computer work and schools donated eye goggles from science labs.




The coordination and management efforts of the team meant they stayed ahead of demand for supplies of PPE in Warwickshire, delivering vital equipment to those who needed it as soon as they were running low on any supplies.

Olivia, together with the wider team, set up a website and dedicated email address so that people could order PPE for care homes, residential special schools, funeral services, district councils and a range of others who needed it.


Olivia said: “It’s colleagues from across the council who’ve made this operation possible. Everyone brought their transferrable skills and applied them to this unique operation with creativity and drive. It is such privilege to work alongside them and make a big difference to the people of Warwickshire.”

Over 1.7million items of PPE have been distributed so far as part of this project and the team have managed to keep up with demands.

Normally it would take many months and committee reports to get this sort of PPE operation off the ground, but Olivia and the team did it in a matter of days.

Rebecca Davis, chief executive of West Midlands Employers, added: “This is a fantastic example of the amazing work councils are doing to address COVID-19, pooling resources and coming up with creative solutions to new problems. The speed with which Olivia and the team responded made sure those in need had access to PPE.”

WCC spokeswoman Coun Kam Kaur added: “Warwickshire County Council is made up of fantastic colleagues who always work with passion and purpose to make Warwickshire the best it can be.

“Working for local government is a big responsibility that can be challenging, especially during this difficult time. Olivia and her team have been a remarkable example, doing the best they can for the community. They demonstrate just one of the fantastic ways the council has come together with partners to support the community during the current situation.

“We are very grateful to West Midlands Employers for putting the spotlight on local government during the pandemic, showcasing the meaningful difference you can make to people’s lives working for your local council.”

Local authority improvement body WME, owned by 33 councils across the West Midlands, launched the campaign this month to recognise #EverydayHeroes – council workers who are working around the clock to keep essential services running and keep us safe through the coronavirus crisis.

Anyone can nominate one or more local council heroes here. West Midlands Employers will review nominations in partnership with the relevant council and we will share their stories via wmheroes.co.uk/meet-your-heroes/

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