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During these unprecedented times, we want to keep you up-to-date with the current news and advice.
As a result, this newsletter contains the latest news from Coventry City Council, public health guidance, national advice around COVID-19 and information about local community groups and partners who are offering local support to people who are affected.
There are national and local links to help you get the information you need.
Remember to keep checking our website for the latest information.
In this issue:
A message from Cllr Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration.
Cllr Jim O'Boyle has recorded an update for residents about public realm work in the city and has outlined what we will see in Coventry over the next few months.
Unsung heroes - The Pod Café team
Staff from all around the Council are going above and beyond to ensure that the most vulnerable continue to get the support they need during these uncertain times. We wanted to share a heartwarming example of this with you.
The Pod Café team have been busy preparing and distributing healthy meals to people affected by COVID-19 by donating them free of charge to Feeding Coventry.
The team have partnered with Foleshill Community Centre Social Supermarket, which is part of Feeding Coventry, to provide plant-based meals using ingredients they grow on their allotment.
The café has been making and distributing around 70 meals with handmade bread a week, using volunteers on bike and trailer, to take the food to the Social Supermarket.
Read the full story...
A special edition of Citivision
A special eight-page edition of Citivision is being delivered to Coventry homes this week so that we can explain the wide range of incredible work that is happening in response to COVID-19 in the city.
The efforts of the NHS, care staff, teachers, bin crews and the many other key workers can only be helped by communities following guidelines to social distance/self-isolate. This has been happening in Coventry.
At the same time there has been an extraordinary amount of partnership work following a One Coventry approach to support people who need help through food hubs, delivery of medical supplies, manufacture of medical equipment, financial help to residents and grants to businesses – and the adaptation of online services to help residents to manage while the restrictions are in place.
There has been so much goodwill that is being highlighted on social media and in the local media and we felt it was important to capture this in this special eight-page edition of Citivision.
The magazine includes lots of links to websites and helpful telephone numbers where people can seek help either for themselves or for friends, family and loved ones.
The COVID-19 outbreak has changed our lives in ways that we would have never imagined, and in the weeks ahead we will continue to keep you informed of the latest about how we will emerge from this emergency to help towards a strong recovery.
Copies of Citivision are also available to read/download on our website.
Contacting the city’s most vulnerable residents
Although Coventry people identified on the Government’s national shielding programme are being contacted to offer help with food, medicine and social contact - there are other residents who may need help but, as yet, may not been in contact with support agencies/community groups since the lockdown has been in place.
As a result, Coventry City Council has been investigating who those residents may be by matching the lists coming from the Government with Council data to identify particularly those who may be more vulnerable because of the extended quarantine period.
The plan now is to contact those residents not on the shielded lists to check if any help and support is needed.
Read the full story...
Supporting our bin crews
This week, Coventry's bin crews are saying a big thank you to both the Balsall Common Sewing Circle and The 29 States Catering Services for their generous donations.
The Balsall Common Sewing Circle donated 170 handmade scrub bags to help our crews safely wash their clothes. The bags can be used by the bin men and women to allow them to separate their dirty work clothes and PPE. The bags can then be placed straight into the washing machine – protecting families too.
The 29 States Catering Services, kept our crews fed by donating hundreds of pakoras. The pakoras were delivered to Whitley Depot for crews, meaning there was plenty to go around.
Thank you to both organisations for their generosity.
Homelessness support gets a boost with donation
Coventry’s rough sleeper support has received an additional funding boost following a generous £12k donation from a West Midlands boss.
Richard Harpin, founder and CEO of home repairs and improvements business HomeServe has donated a total £60K package of aid, which is being shared equally between five Midlands authorities including Coventry, and is being put to use safeguarding the region’s rough sleepers amidst the COVID-19 crisis and beyond via his personal charity and enterprise think tank, The Enterprise Trust.
Read the full story...
Foleshill community centre break-in
A break-in at a community food hub has resulted in even more of a drive to support communities.
Foleshill Community Centre was broken into earlier this week and food supplies were taken that were due to be delivered to the local community.
Around 150 food parcels were due for delivery in the Foleshill area before the weekend.
Cllr Abdul Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and local ward councillor, said: “There has been an incredible response from agencies and the community to co-ordinate deliveries of food parcels to those who most need them.
“We are all shocked and saddened by the news of the break-in but our first thoughts are to ensure that those families and households in the Foleshill area receive their food parcel ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
“The public can help by donating anything they wish to give.”
Faye Abbott, Chair of Trustees, added “Feeding Coventry are linking in with the council and other partners, to co-ordinate this work.
“The public can help by donating non-perishable food items and toiletries.
E-mail feedingcoventyroperations@gmail.com to arrange a time to safely make donations.
To make a cash donation please visit their website.
Read the full story...
Thanks to all for keeping school services going
Coventry City Council’s Education leaders have thanked everyone who continues to keep school services going during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cllr Kevin Maton, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and Director of Education and Skills Kirston Nelson are highlighting the Headteachers/Principals, teachers, school support staff and local authority officers many of whom are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure children receive required provision.
Across the city schools have stayed open, even in the holidays, to provide for the most vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.
Read the full story...
Celebrate VE Day anniversary – but celebrate safely
Coventry people are being urged to help the city pay tribute to those who gave so much to win peace in Europe 75 years ago.
Friday 8 May marks the anniversary of VE Day, and although plans have had to be changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coventry will still be honouring the war-time sacrifice of the city, its people, the country and those around Europe.
There will be a national two minute silence at 11am people are being urged to stand on their doorsteps, in their gardens and the safety of their own homes to join the tribute.
Shortly after, at 12noon, Coventry Cathedral will be broadcasting a short pre-recorded service available to watch on both the Cathedral’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel.
It will feature an address from The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, as well as a reading from a veteran’s memories and a contribution from the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Linda Bigham.
Also in the city, the Business Improvement District (BID) team has linked up with city centre businesses to provide afternoon teas that are being delivered to people’s front doors so they can join in on the day safely from their own homes and gardens.
And people around the city are being invited to pay their own tributes while staying within social distancing guidelines.
Read the full story...
Support for Coventry businesses
If you run a business in the city, the current COVID-19 situation is likely to be very concerning.
A wide range of advice and support can be found on our website, including advice on fraud prevention, details about available grants and much more.
Support for Coventry residents
The COVID-19 situation is unlike anything that many of us have ever experienced and is throwing up many challenges for us all.
If you or someone you know needs financial support and advice, please direct them to our website.
You can also find a range of other advice services (both local and national) near the bottom of this newsletter.
However, if you need help in finding the right support, then call 08085 834333.
Other local news
What to do if you feel unwell, or live with someone who is unwell
Stay at home if you have either:
- A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.
How long you need to stay at home/self isolate
- If you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
- If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
- If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
- If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
You can find more information and advice about coronavirus on the NHS website. The page is being updated regularly and is the best place to go for the latest health information.
Self-isolation guidance and social distancing in other languages.
There's a great animation on Twitter to remind us all about the need for social distancing.
Updates from the Government
For latest national updates and wider advice on coronavirus, please visit the Government website.
You can receive free and impartial advice on a range of matters from organisations including:
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