This is the fifth edition of a regular newsletter aiming to give information, advice and guidance of useful contacts during these challenging times.
The most up to date information is available on the Cumbria County Council website: cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/landingpage.asp.
Emergency Support Helpline
The Emergency Support Helpline is continuing to provide support for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of COVID-19, and who do not have support available from friends, family or neighbours.
Some of these people will already be receiving support from local voluntary groups with tasks like shopping or collection of medicines if they require it. However, we know that a small number of people will not have this support. If they have no alternative, they can call the Freephone number to request help with getting food, medicines, essential supplies, home deliveries and more.
How to contact the Emergency Support Helpline:
Please note that the helpline will open from 10am to 2pm on the Bank Holiday Friday, 8 May 2020.
Further details about this support service can be found online at cumbria.gov.uk.
The service also accepts referrals from members of the public who may be concerned about people in their community.
Local news
The people of Coniston, both children and adults, have been busy decorating stones and hiding them around the village for others to find. Residents can find a huge variety of colourful stones depicting everything from butterflies and positive messages to Yoda’s advice to wash your hands. Rachel Hadwin from the Coniston Child Care sponsored a competition for children to decorate a stone with the theme “insects” Jake, Evie, Ava and Isaac all won prizes for their beautiful bees, butterflies, beetles and ladybirds.
Staff from The Yewdale Inn in Coniston have volunteered to open on Friday and Saturdays evenings for takeaways. The profits from these sales have been used by their chefs to make 100 meals per week for vulnerable people in Coniston. These meals have included Fish Pie, and Cumberland sausage with mash and peas. The meals have been distributed by the Coniston Carers and by Coniston Coronavirus support to the elderly and local families who need them
KIRKBY LONSDALE CORONAVIRUS MUTUAL AID GROUP
Getting By With a Little Help from your Friends
Steve Nurdin, April 2020
Having lived with suspected COVID-19 for two weeks now, and being part of our rural community, there are valuable things I have learned and hopefully can pass on through this short account. It may help others cope a little better in the unfortunate event that they contract the virus. It’s a positive story as well, because I managed to stay out of hospital and am now on the road to recovery, despite having what would be classed as moderate to serious symptoms.
Before my illness, it is fair to say I was a little blasé about the likelihood of me catching the virus and the seriousness of it if I did. I was fit and healthy, played squash regularly, never smoked and considered myself strong enough to fight off any infection in a few days. How wrong was I?
I GOT CHILLS… – DAYS 1-4
It began for me with a loss of appetite and I started to feel cold.
THE FEVER!! DAYS 4-11
During the day I was cold with a raging fever at night. The thing you are not prepared for is the complete shut-down of your body. It is in full fight mode and needs every bit of energy but I had none and was unable to do even the simplest of tasks.
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH, COUGH AND COUGH AGAIN!! DAYS 9-13
Then the persistent cough started and by day 12, my breathing was becoming compromised. Paracetamol and Ventolin no longer made any difference and I was prescribed Codeine to be collected from the pharmacy in Kendal. If that didn’t work, I would be hospitalised.
It was Friday evening and I was not to be left on my own. Michelle decided to reach out to the Kirkby Lonsdale Coronavirus Support Group via Facebook to see if anyone could help. Within minutes we had responses and various messages of support. One of the lovely volunteers confirmed she would drive to Kendal, collect the prescription and drop it off to us here. By 11pm that night, I was taking the first of the Codeine and things started to improve.
The single most important thing has been the support and compassion from family, friends, neighbours, local community, the NHS & key workers and the social media network. Without all this coming together, it might have been a different outcome. A special thank you must go to my wife, Michelle and to Kirkby Lonsdale Coronavirus Mutual Aid Group who were there for me at the critical moments. Remember you are never alone – always reach out to someone. Social media is important and don’t underestimate the kindness of others. Now that I (hopefully) have immunity I will be happy to help others in need.
Thank you on behalf of myself and my wife. The community in and around Kirkby Lonsdale has been invaluable.
Brewery Arts Centre ……. at home
During the temporary closure, we are continuing our community support for children and adults by developing online courses for all.
Our team is working on ways to keep our communities inspired and connected, so do keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more on-line content over the coming weeks. For details visit:
https://www.breweryarts.co.uk/whats-on/creative-learning/
You can subscribe to email alerts for your area. The link for South Lakeland is https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCCC/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCCC_119
Use the link Cumbria County Council Service Updates for updates including Highways, Fire, Cumbria Care, Household Waste and Recycling Centres, Registration Services, Libraries and Archives and public buildings.
Please note that Cumbria County Council has now temporarily closed all of its buildings to the public and will no longer provide non-essential ‘face to face’ services.
Alternative contact can be made online by visiting www.cumbria.gov.uk or by phone, call 01228 606060.
Cumbria County Council’s Community Learning and Skills service has launched a new programme of online courses. With more than 150 adult learning courses available online there’s bound to be a course that will spark your creativity! More information about the service is available online at cumbria.gov.uk/learningandskills where you can browse and choose the courses you’re interested in. GOV.UK
If you’re struggling because of Covid-19, you can find information about feeling unsafe; going in to work; paying bills or being unemployed; getting food; having somewhere to live; mental health and wellbeing athttps://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
South Lakeland District CouncilFor up-to-date information on South Lakeland District Council services, go to www.southlakeland.gov.uk, follow SLDC on Facebook or on Twitter @SouthLakelandDC.
Green Bins A green bin waste collection is being partially re-introduced by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) after it was suspended at the end of March.
From next week (week commencing 4 May) the council is introducing a monthly collection of green bin waste across the district, aiming to make one collection per household each month until further notice.
SLDC suspended green waste collections in response to reduced staffing levels due to the Coronavirus outbreak and restrictions to ensure crews could work safely and comply with social distancing guidelines. The council now believes it has sufficient staff numbers and available vehicles to look at re-introducing a green bin collection on a monthly basis, while still allowing crews to work safely.
From next week residents are being asked to follow these steps:
If your bin has not been emptied by the end of the scheduled collection day please take your bin back in and present it again on the next scheduled green bin collection day according to your calendar, when the crews will return to continue the rest of the round
For more details and background see: https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/news/green-bin-collection-to-be-partially-re-introduced/
SLDC’s customer services team is still working and can be contacted by the same phone number or by emailing customer.services@southlakeland.gov.uk. Any documents that need to be handed in can be left in a sealed envelope in the post box at SLDC’s Kendal offices. The post box is next to the main office entrance in Angel Yard.
Those eligible should receive the payment within 10 working days from receipt of a valid application.
To date the council has received 4,600 applications and has processed payments worth nearly £50 million.
The application form can be accessed here: www.southlakeland.gov.uk/Covid-19BusinessGrants Childcare Provision for key workers Childcare and Learning Hubs have been set up during the period of lock down to ensure key workers and vulnerable children can access childcare and learning. These are operating as a community of schools, staffed by teachers, volunteers and other school staff from across the county.
The children of key workers are eligible to attend if childcare cannot be provided by other means.
Details can be found at https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/serviceupdates.asp
Free School Meals
The Department for Education has developed a national scheme to provide supermarket vouchers. The scheme awards each eligible child £15 per week, and operates during term time only. More information can be found at
Safeguarding
Children and Young People
Families may experience added stress at this time, with added financial pressure or isolation from support networks. These issues can add a great burden onto families and children and young people could be at increased risk of harm during these times.
If you are concerned about a child or young person who you believe might be at risk of harm, please contact The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727 cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk or NSPCC 0808 800 5000. If you believe a child is at risk of immediate danger dial 999 and speak to the Police
Adult Safeguarding
We want to make sure that people are safe in their communities. Here are some things to think about if you are offered, or need, support during this time.
Try to use existing and trusted community groups. If not, could a family member, friend or neighbour who you know and trust help? Not sure? Don’t answer the door! If you’re not sure about an offer of help, ask the person to leave details and talk to someone you trust about it. If you are concerned that an adult is at risk of abuse or neglect please call 0300 303 2704; Out of Hours 01228 526690 In an emergency, call 999 Cumbria Adult Safeguarding Board (CSAB) and reporting concerns CSAB have a number of resources which you may find useful to share, print or display, including how to report safeguarding concerns http://www.cumbriasab.org.uk/AdultSafeguarding/covid-19.asp Springfield Domestic Abuse Support in South Lakeland Community support 01539 726171 Refuge 01539 720313 cs@springfieldsupport.org refuge@springfieldsupport.org We do not judge you for the choices you have made, nor do we discriminate against anyone. Our values are about making a difference for each woman at the refuge and for everyone who needs our services. “Springfield strives to meet the needs of women today who live with the terrible impact of domestic abuse. Through our refuge and growing community work lives are being changed. With your support, building on over 100 years of supporting women, we won’t rest until all domestic abuse is history.”
Domestic Abuse / Safeguarding Children webinars with Cumbria Police now available via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cumbriapolice
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Trading Standards Advice on Scams
Cumbria Trading Standards are urging people to remain vigilant and share the message with their elderly and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.
The National Trading Standards Friends Against Scams Team have updated their online training to include coronavirus related scams which you can complete here www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
Read it. Share it. Prevent it and Stay Scam Aware
If someone has been targeted by a scam it can be reported to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling 0300 123 2040. For advice and information on how to check if something might be a scam, call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/
Social Isolation for many is not easy especially when it is something you have to do NOT what you want to do.
Click on the link below for a informative guide to looking after yourself and others.