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6 April 2020
Behaving responsibly in parks, playgrounds and sports courts
Our enforcement team and police service were out and about over the weekend, visiting local parks and open areas, to ensure that people were adhering to the Government’s instructions on social distancing. They were happy to see that most people across the borough were behaving responsibly - staying at home apart from essential journeys and a local walk/exercise once a day. Many thanks to every single one of you who did this. You are literally helping to save lives!
However, there were several instances where some people ignored the notices that play grounds, outdoor gyms and sports courts were closed, entering the facilities to play in groups. This is extremely irresponsible and undermines the efforts made by so many to stop the spread of the virus, save lives and protect our NHS. It puts other people at risk. These people were moved on by police and enforcement officers, who are patrolling every day.
You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:
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shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
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one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household - and stay local
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any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
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travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.
These reasons are exceptions - even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
Information for people affected by dementia
Living with dementia at any time brings everyday challenges for the person and those around them. Coronavirus is making daily life much harder. You may feel anxious, scared or lonely. But you are not alone – help is available.
CarePlace is the Adult Social Care online directory run in partnership with other London Boroughs. You can go directly to the Hounslow section here: Hounslow.careplace.org.uk
Hounslow Alzheimer’s Carepoint careline 0208 563 0360
For more information on coping with dementia during the current difficult time, either for yourself or with someone you are caring for please click the following link:
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Local schools working together to support the community
Southville Primary, Crane Park Primary and Reach Academy Feltham are happy to be working together to feed pupils eligible for Free School Meals in Feltham. Meal packs are distributed on a Monday and Thursday and Friday. 350 packs are distributed, with 30 going to elderly people who are not able to leave home. The schools also distributed food donated from supermarkets to families and others in the community, including 20 whole ducks, hummus and camembert!
Reach have also put their virtual learning resources on the internet. There is a daily lesson for each year group in Literacy, Maths and then an afternoon lesson. To access these resources, Reach’s YouTube channel can be found HERE
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Brentford FC set to scale back construction on their new stadium
Brentford FC have issued a statement saying that construction work on their new 17,500 capacity stadium, next to Kew Bridge Station in Brentford, is to be scaled back. ‘Practical Completion’ was due to take place this month with the venue ready to host games in July but this will no longer be possible, and the club now say an opening date cannot be forecast.
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Support for business:
The Council has completed the essential task of identifying all businesses that qualify for rates relief and grants. The qualifying accounts have already had the relevant reliefs applied to their accounts and they should have received communication by email or letter by now.
We are now working on the web forms received by businesses requesting grant payments and are working through them in date order. The first payments will go out today.
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How to contact us – we have a lot of detail on our website regarding business rates, the rate reliefs and grants
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What to contact us about – we are working on all the web forms received and hope to have made payments to everyone very soon. If you haven’t heard from us in a fortnight, please emails us on BusinessRates@hounslow.gov.uk
Business advice webinar with expert panel
The Hounslow Chamber Task Force – a group of experts set up to support local businesses at this difficult time - is running a free advice webinar on Wednesday, from 10am-11am. More info and book your place here.
If you would like to receive regular updates on support provided for businesses, please subscribe to our Invest Hounslow e-newsletter for business by clicking HERE
Advice in accessible formats and different languages
It is important that everyone knows what to do in order to protect themselves and others during the coronavirus outbreak. You can find on our website links to documents and resources in different languages and formats, including accessible guides for people who are registered as deafblind or visually impaired.
The following information is available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Traditional Chinese (Cantonese), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Welsh:
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Our staying at home guide is available in easy-read format
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Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults.
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Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.
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Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as being extremely vulnerable.
Scammers targeting vulnerable
Unfortunately, some companies and individuals are looking to profit from the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We have recently received reports that the most vulnerable residents in our community are being targeted by opportunist fraudsters, looking to prey on our most elderly and vulnerable residents during these difficult times.
We are urging families and friends to look out for signs of neighbours being targeted by doorstep criminals. While there are genuine groups of volunteers and businesses providing help during self-isolation, there have been reports of criminals preying on residents – often older people or people living with long-term health conditions – by cold-calling at their homes and offering doorstep cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways including any repairs to kill bacteria and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Please remain extra vigilant and report any occurrences of suspicious doorstep cold calling activities in your neighbourhood to keep our most vulnerable residents protected and safe from harm. Advice is available here, and if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, please report it to Actionfraud.police.uk or 03001232040.
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Worried about domestic abuse whilst self-isolating with a partner or family member?
Tackling domestic abuse is an issue we take very seriously in Hounslow. We are aware that people may be particularly at-risk during the coronavirus lockdown. During lockdown people experiencing domestic abuse will be at home more with an abusive partner or family member. If you’re concerned, help is available.
Also, keeping in touch with a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague that you’re worried about during this time can make all the difference. You might not be able to visit them, but stay in contact with people by telephone, email, text or video call.
Our specialist domestic and sexual violence service for Hounslow is still open (they can be contacted on 07810 031780 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and we have developed new ways of working to support people experiencing domestic abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Government has confirmed that anyone who is at risk, or experiencing domestic abuse, is still able to leave their home and seek support. Refuges remain open.
For more information visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/dvinfo
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 Useful contacts:
Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
OneYouHounslow - Hints and tips on how you can stay active from home
Our Parks - a range of free workouts to do at home - everything from HiiT to Yoga
thisgirlcan - Exercises to try at home from press ups to living room wall sits – and they’re great for women and men alike! #thisgirlcan @thisgirlcan
The Chiswick Calendar has come up with a brilliant roundup of fun and interesting things to keep you busy during the lockdown. With activities collated into those suitable for adults, older and younger children, there’s something there for everyone.
Latest information and advice
If you think you know someone who’d like to receive this e-newsletter, forward it on and they can subscribe here.
The Council has a coronavirus advice webpage which is updated daily with the latest local information for residents and businesses.
You can also follow us on social media using the links below.
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