6th November 2020

‘Northamptonshire’s Community resilience function continues to provide support for the most vulnerable.

The  was set up at the start of April to help those needing support or assistance during periods of isolation or for those who are vulnerable. As we enter a second national lockdown period, the local resilience forum wants to reassure residents that support is available for anyone who needs it.

The local Coronavirus support line ( a reminder of the details https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/request-help-and-support-coronavirus.aspx)  which is run by Northamptonshire County Council continues to provide support for anyone who requires help with accessing food, medication or for those who are lonely.

District and Borough teams continue to provide localised support in communities, working together with the County Council to ensure that those in all areas of the county can access support.

Although shielding has been paused, people on the new Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) list will be written to shortly. This letter will confirm that they are on the CEV list. Residents who don’t receive a letter but believe that they should be on the list can register here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support.

Northamptonshire County Council’s Community Resilience team plan to phone individuals on the CEV list to make sure that they are aware of the ongoing support that is available.

Those that are self-isolating or have been told to through the local test and trace system can also use the service to get support.

Self-isolation can be a challenging time and many residents will have their own support networks; friends, family and neighbours. We would encourage residents to use those local networks where possible so that the support on offer from the local council network can go to those who are most in need or those without their own support networks.

The Community Resilience Hub continues to work on plans to escalate support if required. Voluntary organisations connected through the Northamptonshire Emergency Response Corps are also ready to step back up to provide support.

Volunteers and voluntary groups that were set up at the start of the pandemic, have continued to work tirelessly in supporting communities and they continue to engage and support their communities and will be supported with more regular communications throughout the lockdown period’.

12th October 2020

Lucy Wightman, Director of Public Health at Northamptonshire County Council, said:

 The Prime Minister announced yesterday that Northamptonshire will be placed in Tier 1 of the new three tiered COVID-19 alert system. Areas under tier one are at a medium alert level, are in line with the current national restrictions and mean we will be able to keep hospitality businesses open - with the 10pm curfew in place.

 

When it comes to household mixing, areas under Tier 1 will have to follow the rule of six in both indoor and outdoor settings. The rule of six bans any social gathering of more than six people, apart from in a limited number of circumstances.

 These restrictions will come into force on Wednesday and are expected to last for four weeks at a time.

 Locally we have local recommendations in place in a bid to address the continued spread of the virus in our community. We are asking spectators of sports to stay away, although we are working closely with sports clubs on how we can make them COVID-secure settings where possible.

With a very heavy heart we are also asking visitors at care homes and hospitals to protect their loved ones and only visit in exceptional circumstances.

Although many restrictions are imposed on us all at the moment some activities remain permitted, however in light of further increases in cases locally I’m pleading with you all - just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Every one of us needs to play our part in stopping the spread of coronavirus. Together we can halt the spread if we protect ourselves and each other.

 

It is vital that if you have COVID-19 symptoms (high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste), you should self-isolate and book a test. New booking slots are available each evening for the next day and more are released each morning. Pre-booking is essential.

If you test positive, you must self-isolate for ten days, away from other members of the household if possible – with your household members isolating for 14 days.  Do not go to your workplace, to school or to the shops. If you need support with provisions or medication during your isolation, and do not have friends or family who can help, you can contact the Coronavirus support line on 0300 126 1000 (option 5) to discuss your needs. 

Either work from home or report sick. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be helped by the NHS test and trace service to identify the people they’ve recently been in contact with so they can be alerted and also self-isolate if required. 

Tests can be booked on the Test and Trace app, online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.

 

 

There are exceptions to the Rule of Six. If you live in a household with more than six people, you of course you can continue to gather in and attend all settings together, including restaurants. This also applies to support bubbles.

On top of this, there are 14 exceptions in the law. Of interest to the voluntary sector is that Support Groups can still meet - see below for more information.

The 14 reasons include:

• for work, or the provision of voluntary or charitable services
• registered childcare, education or training
• supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups
• providing support to a vulnerable person
• providing emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm
• to continue existing arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents
• fulfilling a legal obligation such as attending court or jury service
• weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions – up to 30 people, in a public place
• funerals – up to 30 people. This does not include wakes, other than for religious ceremonial purposes.
• other religious and belief-based life cycle ceremonies – up to 30 people, in a public place. This only covers the ceremonies, and does not include celebrations of these events.
• organised sport or exercises classes or licensed outdoor physical activity. This does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends – this must be limited to a group of 6.
• elite sporting competition and training
• support groups – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support. This includes support to victims of crime, recovering addicts, new parents, people with long-term illnesses, those facing issues relating to their sexuality or gender, and those who have suffered bereavement.
• protests – if organised in compliance with COVID-19 secure guidance

The legislation can be viewed here.

The latest updates, surveillance reports, and press releases can be found below:

Public Health Weekly surveillance reports : https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/local-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice.aspx

Weekly Press briefings -  https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/health/Pages/coronavirus-advice.aspx    (found near the bottom of the page)

Latest Press release - LRF Press Release - 9th October

Public Health Covid-Secure Flyer

There have been several COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces across Northamptonshire. To help to avoid further outbreaks Public Health have created additional posters and documents for employees and employers. These documents are also available in a number of languages. These can be downloaded, printed and displayed in your workplaces and also to given to employees where appropriate. Please find the link to the materials here: https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/guidance-for-businesses---coronavirus.aspx

They will update this folder as and when they produce new materials so please do check it out when you're able to. If you have any problems accessing the documents do let us know.

 Also of interest will be our weekly data surveillance reports which will inform you of the numbers of COVID-19 cases in your borough or ward.https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/local-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice.aspx

Public Health Northamptonshire updates, newletters and guidence.

Staying Well webinar - Wellbeing - 19th June 2020

Staying Well - Edition 20 - Tackling Obesity - 3rd August 2020

Staying Well - Edition 21 - Back to Basics - 10th August 2020

Staying Well - Edition 22 - Being Resiliant - 11th August

Staying Well - Edition 24 - Young People and Wellbeing - 21st September

Staying Well - Edition 24 - Revisiting Resilience - 28th September

Staying Well - Edition 31 - Help Us, Help You - 9th November

To view the minutes from the Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board - 9th July - Click here

Happy@Home Northampton

Happy@Home Northampton will accept referrals for telephone befriending and also any applications or interest from potential telephone volunteers. 

So if you know of either a lonely person or a possible telephone volunteer please let us know!

happyathome@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

Northampton Community Transport is still running at present.

Northampton Volunteer Car Scheme is running a reduced service as some volunteers have opted not to drive at this time. We are trying to move Car Scheme passengers over to the NDDS buses to ensure the continuation of the service for our passengers.

Northampton Door to Door Service (NDDS) is still running as normal. We are looking to implement some additional services which may include a basic shopping service and collection of prescription medication.   We will be liaising with our passengers with particular attention to those we know are more vulnerable and isolated to see how we can assist them further. 

We are aware that many of our passengers are vulnerable and rely on the service to access essential services and appointments.   

If any of our current registered passengers need further assistance, we are calling on them to contact us and we will endeavour to help, or sign post them to other services that may be able to. 

We will endeavour to continue to run as normal, for as long as possible and are ensuring that the cars & buses are regularly cleaned and wiped down. 

In addition, should the situation worsen, we will be starting a telephone welfare check service, where office staff and drivers will call passengers to check they are ok.

Northampton Door to Door Service and Volunteer Car Scheme are running additional services during the pandemic, such as collection of shopping and prescriptions. 

These services are available to anyone who is vulnerable in Northampton, not just those who are members.

This document describes the progress the UK has made to date in tackling the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and sets out the plans for moving to the next phase of its response to the virus.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy

This page gives you links to 14 guides for a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe. Further guidance will be published as more businesses are able to reopen.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19 

Guidance to help with running your charity during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Click here to view the guidance. 

For the latest guidance from the government, click here. 

Please note, a previous version of this news story advised that changes were being made to ID guidance for standard and enhanced DBS checks only. This has now been extended to basic DBS checks too, if submitted through a Responsible Organisation.

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.  Click here to view the guidance. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children supported by the child social care system with education health and care (EHC) plans in alternative provision (AP) settings: click here for the guidance. 

To view the special 100 day edition of the Community Resilience Hub Newsletter click here.

To view the 16th July Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here

To view the 22nd July Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here

To view the 10th August Community Resilience Hub Newsletter click here

To view the campaign briefing sheet click here

To view the 19th August Community Resilience Hub Newsletter click here

To view the 19th August Press Release click here

To view the 2nd September Community Resilience Hub Newsletter click here

• External floor graphics will begin to be installed from tomorrow to indicate queuing areas, directional flow and the need to physically distance.
• Selected bus stops will be removed from The Drapery and re-located on George Row, Mercers Row and Wood Hill to reduce the intensity of footfall - this will also assist with physical distancing as the area will become solely for public transport.
• Specific streets will be pedestrianised and pathways will temporarily widen to allow greater physical distancing and to encourage cycling.

Following the incredibly successful appeal last week to find volunteers to help those in need in Northamptonshire during the coronavirus pandemic, a new support line has now been launched to support the most vulnerable members of our community.

There are a large number of people across Northamptonshire who are currently in isolation for various reasons. These include individuals displaying symptoms of Coronavirus and those with existing health conditions, those who are pregnant or those aged 70 and above. 

The new support line, which goes live today, allows those who cannot leave their homes under current restrictions and those who have nobody to call upon for help, to request support in getting access to food, prescriptions and other vital services that they require.

The customer Service Centre at Northamptonshire County Council will be managing the helpline, ensuring that each call is appropriately triaged so that individuals receive the care and support that is appropriate to their needs.

The Community Resilience Service will co-ordinate requests for help in conjunction with the District and Borough Councils, mapping those requests by area and linking them up with local community groups, volunteers and voluntary organisations who have pledged their support.  

Matthew Golby, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council said:

“The launch of this new support line means that we can provide care and support to those that really need our help.

“By working together with our Borough and District Council colleagues, and with the hundreds of groups and individuals who have volunteered their help, we will be able to provide coordinated local support to the most vulnerable across the county”.

Those requiring help are asked to call the support line on the following number:

0300 126 1000 (option 5)  

Individuals can also email nccg.communityresilience.covid19@nhs.net and ask for help.

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire is part of the Countywide Resilience Cell which meets remotely on a daily basis. Following the call for new volunteers over 8,000 individuals have come forward and over 700 volunteer online registration forms have been completed. Individuals that still wish to volunteer should register at ttps://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/volunteer-to-help-those-in-need-coronavirus.aspx or call the volunteer registration line 0300 126 1000 (option 5).

Each District or Borough will be forming its own Local Hub in the next 14 days.

The cell will continue to coordinate the delivery of food parcels and will be working on essential prescription collection. 

The cell will also be working to thank Volunteer groups for all of their ongoing effort and support in assisting at this time of crisis.

As the rate of coronavirus infections and the UK’s response to the pandemic both escalate, the coronavirus bill has now been published. The bill will give the UK’s four governments a wide range of powers to respond to different aspects of the situation, with major implications for society as a whole, including charities 

These are some of the most relevant provisions for charities and some of our initial thoughts.

Read the full article here. 

Over the last 19 years, Northamptonshire Community Foundation has played a crucial role in supporting our local community and the outbreak of the Coronavirus has created unprecedented strain on the voluntary sector.

Working alongside the National Emergencies Trust, NCF have launched a Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund to raise the urgent funds our voluntary groups desperately need to continue providing care and support for older and vulnerable people hit by the social and economic impact of the coronavirus.

Donations will be targeted, in the form of grants, at local charities supporting local people facing a range of social issues including social isolation, food poverty, poverty and poor mental health.

For more information, click here.