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Gloucestershire's Partnership Board Bulletin
Welcome to the 2nd edition of our Partnership Board bulletin. We hope that you, your family and friends continue to keep safe and well during this difficult and uncertain time.
This bulletin aims to offer support, provide guidance and update you on some of the work Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), as well as local and national initiatives are doing to protect vulnerable adults. It's interactive, so make sure you click the pictures and links to get the most out of it
We would love to hear your feedback or contributions, so if you have additional information which you think could be useful to share, or have a question to ask us, please email disabilitiescommissioning@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
An easy-read version of this update will be circulated early next week.
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Vulnerable and sheilded people
Everyone needs to stay home and:
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
- If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Do not meet others, even friends or family.
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
By now those who are vulnerable and considered at risk should have been contacted to self isolate by NHS England or by local NHS Community Specialist teams.
Guidance has been issued by the government on how we can shield and protect people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable (click here to read the full guidance). If you think you have a condition which makes you extremely vulnerable or have received a letter from NHS England you are strongly advised to shield yourself, to reduce the chance of getting coronavirus (COVID-19). An easy read copy of the shielding letter, can be found here. The guidance is aimed at people living in their own home, with or without additional support.
Shielding means to do the following for at least 12 weeks:
- Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include high temperature over 37.8 oC and/or new and continuous cough.
- Do not leave your house.
- Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services.
- Do not go out for shopping, leisure or travel and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.
- Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media. Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.
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NHS Volunteer Responders have been mobilised to help support vulnerable individuals who are self-isolating. An update on this can be found here. |
Safeguarding update
The COVID-19 emergency legislation did not make any changes to the provisions for Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards (DoLS). This means that Managing Authorities should continue to follow the DoLS process as usual. The DoLS service can be contacted as usual via their email.
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Clinical Guide
There are significant concerns from families and advocacy organisations about how clinicians will provide care and treatment for people with a learning disability. Speciality guidance for clinicians has been published on the NHS England and Improvement website.
The guidance includes:
- Awareness of diagnostic overshadowing
- Health Passport – Gloucestershire’s Health passport in Easy read can be accessed here
- Listening to parents/carers
- Making reasonable adjustments
- Communication
- Understanding behavioural responses to illness/pain
- Mental Capacity Act
- Asking for specialist support and advice
- Useful links
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Proud to Care have developed a fast track recruitment programme to help care providers fill a number of flexible, temporary and permanent paid roles. Proud to Care are conducting virtual interviews and will support the candidates in their new role using a nationally accredited virtual induction. If you, or someone you know is interested in supporting vulnerable individuals locally, fill out an application form now.
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Forwards are an all age, all disability employment service. In light of COVID-19. they have changed and adapted some of their services to allow staff to follow Government advice and socially distance themselves.
The Job Brokers will continue to offer advice on job applications, CV writing and interview sessions, using email and telephone support.
The Education Team will continue supporting young people with their Post 16 education and employment queries using email and telephone support.
If you are new to their service, and your employment has been affected due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) they can support you with:
- Benefits
- Sourcing employment
- Guidance and advice
- Job coaching when you return to work
If you need their support, please contact Kirsten Smart, Assistant Manager.
Email: forwards@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Telephone: 07825 024692
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForwardsGloucestershire/
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GEM support individuals within Gloucestershire who are currently dealing with circumstances that are potentially causing barriers to work and move them closer towards education, training, volunteering or work, including self-employment. The GEM Project will reconnect people with their local services through their communities and ultimately help them achieve their desired outcome. This project provides dedicated and specialised help, guidance and support for each individual enrolled on the project, from transport and childcare costs to support with any disabilities and mental health issues. They will develop life skills, self-esteem and motivation, whilst overcoming any practical barriers to engagement.
Following Government advice of social distance, staff are working remotely, but referrals are welcome at any time. You can get in touch here or find them on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlosGEM/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gem_glos
Sam is a Navigator Developer, and has used creative solutions to support her customers who may feel isolated. Read more here.
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POhWER are continuing to support their Gloucestershire clients via telephone and email, so that vulnerable people still have their rights protected, effective safeguard measures are in place and that they are able to receive the independent advocacy they are entitled to.
Email: glosadvocacy@pohwer.net
Telephone: 0300 456 2370
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Gloucestershire’s councils and partners have created a community help hub to connect local people who need help, with others who can provide the support they need.
If you require help to collect prescriptions or other medical support please contact the NHS Hub not the Gloucestershire community hub.
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Despite quality visits currently not taking place, the team are working remotely and are available to support. To discuss any issues you may have in regards to the quality & safety of commissioned health & social care services for individuals with disabilities, contact them by telephone on 01452 328463 or email them here. |
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Gloucestershire County Council has a wide range of information on the website, including more information about Adult Social Care Information, Advice and Support.
If you need advice, support and guidance about Adult Social Care, including should you wish to raise a Safeguarding alert, or a worry about shortage of food, please call the Adult Help Desk on 01452 426868
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Blue badge update
Local Authority Parking Teams will not issue Parking Penalty Notices to individuals using a Blue Badge with an expiry date of 1st January 2020 onwards
This relaxation of enforcement against expired Blue Badges will continue until 30th September 2020. Please note that this applies to local authority parking and not private car parks.
For more COVID-19 Information and Advice from GCC, visit their website.
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Details of Emergency Funding for VCS
If you are working in the Voluntary Community Sector, please see a list of emergency grants to help during COVID-19.
- Rural Response Emergency Grants Programme
- Sport England Emergency Fund
- Gloucestershire Coronavirus Emergency Fund
- National Lottery Emergency Fund
- CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund
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Grants of up to £1,000 available from the Langtree Trust Grants from £50 up to a maximum of £1,000 are available to support local voluntary sector agencies and community groups who are supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. Applications are usually considered at quarterly meetings of the trustees on receipt of a written application. However, due to the current crisis the Trust would welcome applications by e-mail from those groups who are supporting vulnerable people during the crisis and would benefit from more funding to support their work. A simple, clear statement of the need with the costs of the project, what funding has so far been achieved and/or a recent copy of the annual accounts are all that is required.
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Local Gloucestershire Services |
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CASA is offering support to all their clients via email, telephone and text at this time. They can also direct people to other appropriate services that can support them. Although there is currently no face-to-face contact, those already supported by CASA can choose their preferred method of contact. CASA can offer support with establishing new routines, ways to reduce anxiety and activities whilst social distancing. Their priority is to let people know that they have someone to talk to or who will contact them regularly to ensure they are safe and well.
CASA are also accepting new referrals (see acceptance criteria on the website). To make contact use the following contact details:
Email: anne.powell@connexus-group.co.uk
Telephone: 01452 317460
Text: 07812 067087
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Gloucestershire Carers Hub is available to offer support to carers including information, advice and guidance by phone, website, email and social media.
A detailed message about the current service that is being offered is here, including contact details. The Gloucestershire Carers "What’s On" update for April 2020 is here, offering free virtual coffee mornings and training opportunities.
Current opening hours:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
- Tuesday and Thursday, 8.00am to 8.00pm
For Young Carers, please contact Gloucestershire Young Carers on 01452 733060 or by email here. For useful information on support during the coronavirus, visit their website here.
Guidance has been issued on COVID-19 for those who provide unpaid care to family and friends, which you can read here.
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Gloucestershire Community Foundation website which includes lots of useful links for community organisations and individuals including links to the Coronavirus Emergency Appeal (to donate or apply) which is available to people, charities & community groups affected. |
Due to the Coronavirus, GDA has had to close its office and community centre from Wednesday 18th March until further notice. All GDA staff will be working from home in order to continue services as much as possible. If you need to contact GDA for support during this outbreak period, please contact 07875 610860, 07749 508692 or 07514 000026, or email.
Latest updates on GDA services during COVID-19 can be found here
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Headway promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provide information, support and services to survivors, their families and carers. Due to the risks that COVID-19 poses and following government guidelines, Headway House has been temporarily closed to survivors since Monday the 23rd of March 2020. Although the centre is closed to survivors, staff are still working hard to provide support.
The helpline (01452 312713) is open between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday so survivors and their families can call anytime they need help to solve any problems or difficulties they experience in this time. They can also email here.
They will also be in touch with clients each week, to check how they are getting on and explore what they can do to support them; and will be sending activities to help keep themselves active and challenged. They'll also be inviting them to join in on virtual online meetings and activities.
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Staff at Inclusion Gloucestershire can offer telephone support to its members. They are also offering support on Facebook, which includes communications from MHELO (Mental Health Experience Led Opportunities).
Email: info@inclusion-glos.org
Telephone: 01452 234003
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inclusionglos/
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POhWER are continuing to support their Gloucestershire clients via telephone and email, so that vulnerable people still have their rights protected, effective safeguard measures are in place and that they are able to receive the independent advocacy they are entitled to.
Email: glosadvocacy@pohwer.net
Telephone: 0300 456 2370
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Reconnect are offering telephone befriending for current participants and those on the waiting lists, for those affected by Stroke, Dementia, Aphasia, and other long term health conditions, and their carers. People can still refer into the service but there could be a wait.
They are offering a pen pal service where children, young people and adults can exchange letters with those who are isolating. There is no need for a formal referral for this and letters will go through CSCIC so there is no need for participants to swap addresses.
If people would like to access either of these services, please email Coryn or Louise.
Facebook: @reconnectgloucestershire
Twitter: @reconnect_glos
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Useful national links |
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