Dear Neighbour,                                                                     30^th March 2020

COVID19 Wing Parish Council Response

The COVID-19 emergency is unprecedented, and requires not only an international and national response, but a connected and coordinated local response too.

Wing Parish Council is preparing to coordinate and provide support where it is most needed within our community and has established a coordination group from across the village.

We want to make a start by collecting information on all those who think they might need some help and support to see them through the current restrictions, and by calling for volunteers to help our effort.

We need every household in Wing Parish to phone 01572 373922.  The phone line is open 24/7.  Your call will be logged, and we will get back to you as soon as possible, between 0900 – 2100hrs.

This work includes the sterling work started by Rhiannon Jones and John Oakley in relation to prescriptions (see the Community Medicines Collections scheme flyer) and will ensure that those who need extra support get it, and don’t slip through the net. In order to do this, we need to identify those that are most vulnerable. We need to find out what their needs are via the above phone number, potentially for the supply of medication, food, social contact whilst social distancing is in place, and any other support that may be required on an individual basis.

Our strategy is to be prepared to take you under our wing.  We will be adaptable to changing circumstances, as this is a very dynamic situation – what you may or may not need now is likely to change as time goes on.

This is the first of a number of actions that we will be taking together to ensure that the parish is both prepared and resilient in the face of the COVID19 pandemic.  We will be updating you with what we intend to do in the future, which will also include a big focus on wellbeing.

Looking forward to speaking to you and ensuring you needs now and in the future are met.

Yours sincerely

Wing COVID 19 Coordinating Group

Susannah Fish – Chair, John Oakley, David Wood, Alice Hill, Rhiannon Jones, Helen Cullen , Jon Roberts                                                             

The bouquet of flowers was from all her village friends bought with some of the donated money. Lovely day. We sang Happy Birthday in the morning when the card from the queen arrived. We gave her the bouquet at 3 pm and sang Happy Birthday once more.
We did our best to make it as memorable as we could .
Look out for notification of ‘re planned party, in the autumn when hopefully we will be free to mingle once more.

Unfortunately we won’t be able to go ahead with the Easter Children’s Crafts on 4 April.  We know this will be disappointing but we are hoping to deliver a little pack of activities/treats to anyone who would have liked to take part.
As soon as the restrictions are lifted, we will look to organise a new children’s crafts event so please watch this space.

We are sorry to announce that the Stamford Concert Singers concert scheduled for next Saturday 21 March in Wing Village Hall is postponed due to concerns around coronavirus.  We will aim to announce a revised date in the autumn when the position becomes clearer.  Anyone who has purchased tickets please contact Helen Bateman if you would like a refund alternatively we are happy to hold your booking for the revised date.

CORONAVIRUS is the virus

COVID-19 is the disease it causes.

If you are reading this then you can access the NHS 111 service by clicking here https://111.nhs.uk/ rather than by phone.

From Neighbourhood Watch:

You will all be aware of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Neighbourhood Watch exists to look out for communities across England and Wales and at a time like this we encourage you to consider ways to keep yourself, your loved ones and those in your community safe, particularly the isolated and vulnerable. We are following the advice from the government and encourage you to do the same:  https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

10 ways you, as a Neighbourhood Watch supporter, can protect yourself, your loved ones and your community:

1. Meet with household members, other relatives, friends and neighbours to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
2. If your neighbourhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbours, information, and resources. Alternatively, share phone numbers and email addresses particularly with those who are isolated or vulnerable.
3. Consider establishing a ‘buddy’ system within your community to ensure everyone stays connected to COVID-19 related news, services and can receive support safely, such as essentials deliveries.
4. Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. 
5. Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. 
6. Learn how to self-isolate. Guidance can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
7. Create a list of local organisations that you and your neighbours can contact in the event that one of you need access to information, healthcare services, support, or resources. Consider including organisations that provide mental health or counselling services, food, and other supplies.
8. Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbours, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
9. Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child’s school or childcare facility, and your employer’s emergency operations plan.
10. Practice everyday preventive actions including regular hand washing.
    1. The NHS provides guidance on how to wash hands: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/.  
    2. The World Health Organisation provides guidance on basic protective measures: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
    3. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on handwashing for families https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/handwashing-family.html

Please note: whilst we encourage you to follow advice from UK Government we are also sharing links to organisations such as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention an agency which works 24/7 to protect the safety, health, and security of America from threats here and around the world. Some of our key points above have been sourced from:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also published (14th February 2020) Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Homes and Residential Communities which you may find useful: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html.

Regards and keep well,
Central Support Team at Neighbourhood Watch