MESSAGE FROM RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
Good afternoon,
Today, we have launched a dedicated crisis helpline for anyone in Rutland who has been impacted by COVID-19 and has no one to support them.
The helpline is available to anyone who is following the government’s ‘shielding’ guidance and has concerns about:
Access to food
Access to medicine
Feeling isolated and needing support
The crisis helpline is also for anyone who doesn’t meet the government’s criteria for ‘extremely vulnerable’ but needs immediate support. This includes people who are vulnerable, self-isolating, have no one to get them food and medicines and are not in receipt of a government food parcel.
The number to call to reach the new crisis helpline is: 01572 729 603, between 9.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday (including bank holidays).
Hugh Crouch BA (Hons) Dip. I.C.M. | Community Safety Manager
Rutland County Council
Catmose, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP
T: 01572 758164 (Ext : 8164)
RCC Communications
Closure of Cemeteries
Crematoria and cemeteries should now be closed to the public, except for funerals or burials. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations 2020 came in to force on the 26 March and Section 5 para 8 applies to any person who is responsible for a crematorium or burial ground including local authorities and private providers.
Essential Businesses Open and Trading
We have now published a list of shops and businesses that are still open through the Rutland County Council website:
Age UK
Rutland
We work throughout Rutland with people over 50 and their carers, providing support, information and activities.
This work would not be possible without the support of our volunteers, partners and funders.
There is a lot of planning going on at the moment as to how best to manage the current situation and things are changing on a daily basis, this newsletter covers our current situation.
If you need help or support or just not sure who can help you, either contact Yvonne or Penny; both are working from home, but are able to pick up messages left on their office landline.
Social Groups
Unfortunately for the time being all our social and wellbeing groups including Men in Sheds and Daycare have had to stop for the time being.
We are now supporting those who attend all our Age UK social groups via regular telephone calls, we are very grateful to all the volunteers who are helping us with this.
Befrienders
This is currently now operating as a telephone based scheme.
If you have a few hours a week to give, we are in need of more people to be able to offer a friendly call to those who are isolated or lonely, we give support and training. Contact Yvonne if you are able to help
Age UK /Macmillan service
Still open for phone calls on 07711 325517. Call if you need information, support or just a chat if you have been affected by cancer.
Hearing Aid Batteries
As you are probably aware, the Age UK Uppingham shop had to close last week, we’ve been in contact with UHL Hearing Services and for those people who have NHS hearing aids, they can get their batteries by ringing 0116 2586230 or they can send a stamped addressed envelope to Hearing Services, LRI Leicester LE1 5WW.
Struggling with your Laptop, Tablet or Mobile Phone?
If you need help using a computer, laptop, tablet, iPad or mobile phone, we are now offering support by phone or by Skype, anyone needing help should contact either Yvonne or Penny.
Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland
Have set up a dedicated Corona virus helpline between the hours of 9.00 -5.00pm Monday to Friday for practical and emotional help – 0116 299 2239.
A new national Age UK publication is attached and there is information on our local Age UK website
Rutland Information
Rutland County Council: on their website there is information on what is being provided by the council and others including details of all the village and community groups providing shopping support throughout Rutland. There is also information on scam awareness and a crisis helpline.
The Rutland Wellbeing Service remains open but has changed to a telephone service, see the website for more details or contact Yvonne or Penny
For anyone who is experiencing hardship, the Rutland Food bank is operating.
Ideas of things you can do whilst staying safe at home
Knitting, Crochet, Sewing, Embroidery, Mending, Jewellery Making, Painting, Drawing or try some mindfulness colouring
Spring cleaning, organise a cupboard or drawer—anything thing you no longer want save for charity, our Uppingham Shop will be happy to receive donations once it re-opens
Gardening or if you don’t have a garden you could grow herbs or salads in a pot on a windowsill, many garden centres are now offering a delivery service
Cooking, vary your recipes to the ingredients you have, Jamie Oliver has an inspiring programme on Channel 4
Play an instrument, sing or listen to music
Play board or card games, do a jigsaw, sudoku or crosswords
Exercise when you can, chair exercise and moving regularly, try mediation or relaxation
Keep in contact with family, friends and neighbours by phoning, writing a letter or emailing, if you have internet you can Skype, use Zoom, Facetime or Messenger video call. Through video messaging you can have virtual a coffee morning, afternoon tea or party
Watch a film or comedy on TV, for older films try “Talk TV” channel 81, “Dave” channel 19 is good for comedies.
Rutland Libraries have access online to audio books, eBooks you can read on an tablet, magazines and newspapers see theirwebsiteand Family history research
Theatre Companies showing past live performances online include National Theatre ●Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals-The ShowsMust go on! ● Shakespeare’s Globe ● Royal Opera House ● Cirque Du Soleil ● Curve Theatre archived shoes to watch ● Hampstead Theatre
Learn something new Open University free courses andDuolingo
Watch the Rutland Water Osprays on the live camera linkhttps://www.lrwt.org.uk/
Useful websites & phone numbers:
Silverline helpline for older people available 24 hours a day every day 0800 470 80 90
NHS 111 or online www.nhs.nhs.uk Police Non emergencies 101
In an Emergency, Police, Fire, Ambulance 999
Samaritans 116 123
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
Turning Point for alcohol and drug problems & Last orders 0116 223 7366
Gamcare National Gambling helpline – 0808 8020 133
Refuge advice for dealing with domestic violence 0808 2000 247
Rutland Food bank 07582 783363
RSPCA animal cruelty & advice line 7 am— 10 pm 0300 1234 999
Mind mental health charity info line 0300 123 3393
SANE mental health charity operating a leave a message line 07984 967 708
Lets Talk local NHS mental health service 01509 561 100
Age UK Local Contact Details
Oakham and North Rutland -Yvonne Rawlings 077388 20910 or 01572 770 324 (answer phone– checked daily –weekdays)
yvonne.rawlings@ageukleics.org.uk
Uppingham and South Rutland -Penny Stimpson 07715 960167 or 01572 822 171 (answer phone– checked daily—weekdays)
penny.stimpson@ageukleics.org.uk
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland Advice Line free, confidential and independent which can help with anything that affects yourquality of later life. It is open from 9am to 1pm on weekdays on 0116 299 2278
Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation
“We have launched The Leicestershire and Rutland Coronavirus Support Fund.
The Community Foundation rarely asks for cash. We’re not fundraisers as such: our job is to provide an inexpensive, knowledgeable platform for companies and individuals to give locally, and to match their crucial support to the effective yet small charitable groups which work so hard to keep Leicestershire and Rutland healthy and thriving.
But these are difficult times. Lockdown is hard for all, and we’re seeing first-hand that for many it’s disastrous. Our local charities and community groups need help to deal with people who are facing loss of income, new debts, cramped accommodation, domestic violence, worsening mental health, isolation, lack of internet access.
So we are asking you to donate, if you can, to The Leicestershire and Rutland Coronavirus Support Fund. It’s made up National Emergency Trust money – national donations which we’ve been asked to distribute locally – and donations from local companies and individuals.
Grants from the Fund will be distributed (with due diligence) to local charitable, voluntary and community groups providing services to those most affected by the pandemic. As more money comes through, we hope to also offer basic support to charitable groups to help keep them stable until life returns to normal again. We don’t want to lose them and the work they do to keep our local social fabric strong.
It will not be possible to agree each grant for each donor as we usually do, but we will use our practised systems and intelligence to reach those who need help most, and we will monitor spend as normal. Grant sizes will initially be between £500 and £5,000 but we hope to make them larger if there is a good reason to do so.”
A message from Gloria and Dennis Whight.
We cannot greet you as we usually do on Easter Sunday morning, nor hunt for eggs, nor have a tea party as we usually do, but we are still celebrating the Easter Festival at home.
Coronavirus has caused people like us to join the 21st century so we hope you will look forward to the future. We are still very well thanks to family and friends in the village and we have a Greek wedding to look forward to in 2021.
Many thanks to all the kind Wing volunteers who are helping us all to cope.
Regards,
Gloria and Dennis Whight.
Rutland Crisis Help Line – Wing
Rutland County Council has launched a dedicated crisis helpline for vulnerable people who have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and have no one to support them.
The NHS has been contacting people who have been identified as being extremely vulnerable to coronavirus because they have a serious health condition. These people are being urged to shield themselves and stay indoors and avoid contact with others for 12 weeks, during which time they can request support to help access food and medicine as part of a national support scheme. Further details of this can be found on the government’s website.
Rutland County Council has been supporting some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, who they have been made aware of, for the past few weeks with food deliveries, while the national scheme was implemented. They now want to make it as easy as possible for people to access the support available.
The crisis helpline is available for all people who are ‘shielding’ and have concerns about their access to food and medicine or they are feeling isolated and require support.
The crisis helpline is also available for people who do not meet the government’s criteria for ‘extremely vulnerable’ but due to their circumstances still require immediate support including vulnerable, self-isolating individuals who have nobody to get them food and medicines and are not in receipt of a government food parcel.
The number to call for help is: 01572 729603 and the helpline is available Monday to Friday (including bank holidays) from 9am to 8pm.
Wing Parish Council has created a COVID 19 response team with volunteers working to help support shielded, vulnerable and self-isolating Wing residents who need food and medicines and is working in parallel and with the knowledge of Rutland County Council. Susannah Fish, chairman of the COVID 19 response team says
“Wing has an amazing support network and volunteers who already are providing and are volunteering all kinds of help and support to our very close community. It is likely that if you do contact Rutland County Council directly you will be referred to the Wing COVID 19 response team in any case as it is there, up and running and available. So, I would suggest that in the first instance Wing residents contact the Wing helpline which is manned from 9am to 9pm every day as this will enable Rutland County Council to concentrate on supporting those in communities which are not so fortunate and do not have the close support networks that villages such as Wing has.”
Please do mention this note to any residents who you believe are vulnerable and have no access to other support. If anyone in Wing is aware of a neighbour or neighbours who have no help or support or where they are concerned for their welfare then please call the Wing helpline on 01572 373922. The COVID 19 response team will liaise with Rutland County Council as necessary in our efforts to ensure appropriate help and support is provided.
Support Local Business – Viva Vino
New week and a very important recommendation!
We all need a glass every now and again.
I have been dealing with Chris for a number of years now and he has some quality wines.. As his restaurant, pubs and weddings business is somewhat compromised. Chris is delivering to the door with his Jolly Good Boxes..
Rutland is scheduled for a Wednesday delivery, he will be in Wing next week 😉 Please support https://vivavino.co.uk/jolly-good-boxes/ https://www.facebook.com/viva.vino.94/videos/905891629840513/
Domestic Abuse
During the lockdown due the COVID19 pandemic it is recognised that the risks of domestic abuse occurring is significantly raised. This is being reflected in a reported 25% increase in calls for help. Domestic abuse does not discriminate, neither does COVID19, on your social or economic status, nor urban or rural environments. If you are at risk or suffering domestic abuse please see the following information which may help you at this time.
https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-community/community-safety/domestic-abuse/
https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
Please also be aware of the Silent Solution system. This is a system for victims of domestic abuse who might be afraid of further danger and escalation of harm if they are overheard when calling 999 in an emergency. When somebody calls 999, an operator will ask which emergency service is required. If the caller is unable to audibly signal to the operator, the call will be forwarded to an operating system. If 55 is pressed by the caller, the system will detect this. The operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency.
Temporary local NHS service changes to focus on COVID-19 1 April 2020
Temporary local NHS service changes to focus on COVID-19
1 April 2020
The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is making temporary changes to some services to prioritise our efforts on COVID-19 (coronavirus), with immediate effect.
The changes are necessary to make the best use of clinical teams and other health staff by basing them at fewer locations during the outbreak.
The following services will be suspended: the hubs at Enderby, Melton Mowbray, Lutterworth, Oakham, Market Harborough, Coalville, Hinckley, Belgrave (Brandon Street) and Saffron Lane.
GP practice, pharmacy (www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy) and NHS111 online (www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19) and telephone services will be available as normal.
We acknowledge this may mean more travel for some people to be seen. However, reducing the number of sites that our urgent care centres and primary care hubs are operating from during the coronavirus pandemic will allow us to continue to provide these services for patients while ensuring we can also respond to increased demand, in other local NHS services.
ENDS
For more information please contact: Ian Kingsbury, Communications and Engagement Manager, West Leicestershire CCG, 07771 885484 or ian.kingsbury@nhs.net
Community Medicines Collections Scheme
