Latest News/updates

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 - 14th August 2020

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

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.

Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community and charity support during the coronavirus situation.

Click here to read the guidance. 

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 1st May Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 6th May Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 14th May Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 20th May Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 3rd June Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 11th June Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

To view the 24th June Community Resilience Hub Newsletter click here.

To view the 29th June Community Resilience Hub Newsletter, click here.

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.