|
Gloucestershire's Partnership Board Bulletin
|
|
Welcome to the 11th edition of our Partnership Board bulletin. We hope that you, your family and friends continue to keep safe and well.
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 what 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.
An easy-read version of this update will be circulated next week.
Have you got something to share?
We would love to hear your feedback or contributions, so if you have anything which you want to share, or have a question to ask us, email us here.
All our previous bulletins can be found on our website here. For a directory of COVID-19 related resources, visit Inclusion Gloucestershire's dedicated webpage here.
If you were emailed this bulletin by someone else, or found it on social media, and wish to receive it directly to your email inbox next time, click here to subscribe.
|
|
|
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Key messages |
|
COVID-19 cases in the county are rising and it is important that we continue to do all we can to minimise the risk of spreading the infection.
How does COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets or tiny particles called aerosols carry the virus into the air from their nose or mouth. Another way to catch Covid is when you touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on. You may touch a doorknob that's contaminated and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes. The virus can live on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for two to three days.
The virus most often spreads through people who have symptoms. But it is possible to pass it on without showing any signs. Some people who don't know they've been infected can give it to others.
Therefore, the best way to reduce the spread of the virus is to: wash you hands, wear a face covering and make space.
|
|
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- wear something that covers your nose and mouth when it’s hard to stay away from people, such as in shops or on public transport
- stay at least two metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with or anyone not in your support bubble
You should also stick to groups of six people only, both when spending time together indoors and outdoors.
People who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID but don’t have symptoms, should self-isolate for 14 days (it can take this long for symptoms to appear).
Reminder of symptoms
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a high temperature this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you develop any one (it does not need to be all three) of the symptoms above you must book a test at stay at home for ten days or until you receive a negative test result. You can book a test online or by ringing 119.
|
Testing
The people you live with should also self isolate - for 14 days until you know you are COVID clear - whether they display symptoms or not. No symptoms, no need to get a test.
It's crucial that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms gets tested, but its as important that people who don’t have symptoms, don’t get tested.
There is increased demand on the Department for Health and Social Care testing units and not everyone who needs tests Is currently able to get one. It’s important that we remember that tests are for people with symptoms - no symptoms, no test.
|
Face coverings
What a face covering is: In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.
In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings:
- public transport
- taxis and private hire vehicles
- transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
- shops and supermarkets
- shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
- auction houses
- premises providing hospitality (bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes), except when seated at a table to eat or drink (see exemptions)
- post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
- estate and lettings agents
- theatres
- premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)
- premises providing veterinary services
- visitor attractions and entertainment venues (including museums, galleries, cinemas, bowling alleys and indoor play areas)
- libraries and public reading rooms
- places of worship
- funeral service providers
- community centres, youth centres and social clubs
- exhibition halls and conference centres
- public areas in hotels and hostels
- storage and distribution facilities
|
|
There are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. These include (but not limited to):
- children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
|
|
Latest government guidance (as of 22nd September) |
|
Remember...
- Apart from a set of limited exemptions including work and education – any social gatherings of more than six people will be against the law.
- Work from home if possible. Where it is not possible people should continue to go to their workplace, as long as they follow coronavirus guidelines.
- Pubs, restaurants, takeaways and other hospitality businesses must close at 10pm and a table service is mandatory with fines if broken. Deliveries can continue after 10pm
- Face masks must be worn by staff in the hospitality and retail sectors and by passengers in taxis.
- Indoor team sports – only in groups of six. The limit on guests at weddings and receptions has fallen from 30 to 15
- And plans for a public return to sporting events, together with conference centres, from October 1 have been paused
|
|
|
Gloucestershire County Council has partnered with Affinity Trust in a bid to improve the quality of life for young people who have severe learning disabilities or autism and their families. Affinity Trust, a national charity that supports over 900 people with learning disabilities, will deliver life-changing intensive Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) working with young people and their families to understand and manage behaviours that challenge those around them.
This approach is part of the council’s ‘Right placement, first time’ sufficiency strategy which was approved by council’s cabinet in January 2019 and aims to reduce the number of children coming into care, by helping them and their families at the earliest point - in this case preventing the need for residential care in the future.
Affinity Trust will start working with the first young people in October 2020. They will be following an intensive programme of support tailored to their individual needs. Affinity Trust will use a set of tools and technologies to assess, support and understand the young person’s behaviour and help them to develop the skills they need to live with those who support them. Referrals into the service will be accepted from the Disabled Children and Young Peoples Service (DCYPS) and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Learning Disabilities Team (LD CAMHS). As the service is a specialist intensive provision, it will work with 4 children at any one time.
You can find out more about the service for families and professionals.
|
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership is announcing the launch of GloW (Gloucestershire Wellbeing) Community Grants. Following funding from NHS England and NHS Improvement’s national Suicide Prevention Transformation Programme, the grants will invest in community based activities and projects that support individuals and groups in Gloucestershire to have better mental wellbeing.
The grants, which launch on 1 October 2020, will last for three years. Each year will have a budget of £50,000, with individual funding awards of up to £5,000.
Applications are welcome from:
- Community or voluntary groups
- Registered Charities
- Community Interest Companies
- Not for profit organisations
- Town and Parish Councils
- Sports groups, clubs and associations
- Religious Groups where the application demonstrates that the project will bring wider community benefit and the primary purpose of the activity is not religious
Full details, including information on how to apply, will be available on the website from 1 October 2020.
|
Respite care allows unpaid carers to take much needed break from their caring responsibilities, whilst their loved ones are able to socialise with others and take part in activities that support their needs.
During lockdown, the vast majority of the council’s three respite centres and ten day units were forced to close, as were most across the country, as residents opted for remote support instead. This included a weekly welfare call and the offer of alternative activities, such as a walk in their local community.
Since the centres have reopened, residents have reported feeling more confident, and delighted to be able to enjoy some of their usual activities, including relaxation sessions and art classes. The centres are offering reduced activities and limiting the number of people attending each session to maintain safety and social distancing.
Each facility has carried out a full risk assessment to ensure that they take all of the necessary steps to maintain a safe environment for their users. This includes staggering start times and days and ‘bubbles’ of support where possible. Find out more, here.
|
Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) have now developed the public facing Coronavirus (COVID-19) intelligence website, which contains latest data and analysis related to COVID-19 in Gloucestershire.
The COVID-19 intelligence website includes:
- 7 days cases (updated daily),
- Weekly data summary (with excess deaths analysis, cases by small area and R number)
- COVID-19 mortality rate by district
- Link to the COVID 19 deaths and associated vulnerabilities website – which brings together figures on population in higher risk of being affected by COVID-19, such as older people, people with health conditions and people of a Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) by small areas
- Links to the national websites, which contain local data and comparison to other areas.
|
|
|
|
|
Would you like to find fun things to do that work for you? Would you like to meet new people who like doing the same things you do, and chat online to other people in Gloucestershire about what you’ve been doing?
Then You’re Welcome is a great place where you can do all of this! You can look for events, groups and activities that meet any requirements you might have, such as wheelchair access or hidden disabilities awareness. You can also contact the people who run the activities if you want to go along.
Sign up to You’re Welcome to look for fun things to do and talk to other people. As a member you will also get regular emails about events, groups and activities you might be interested in.
If you run any kind of club, activity, venue or event why not sign up and list them for free? There is free support available too to help ensure your information is accessible and that you and your team feel confident about inclusion. Get in touch for more information here.
Counselling for children and young people age 9-21 living in Gloucestershire.
Young people (or their parent/carer) can self-refer and choose either Face-to-face, Telephone, Video or Online-text counselling. To make a referral telephone: 01594 372777 or via the TIC+ website.
Parent Support and Advice Line
Anonymous drop-in support, no appointment necessary, for parents worried about their child’s mental health or emotional wellbeing. Freephone 0800 6525675 or Live online text chat from the website
|
|
Useful links and information |
|
|
|
|