Coronavirus update: 15 April 2020

What’s it like to be newly signed to Brentford FC only to immediately face lockdown? How does a professional footballer stay match fit…when he can’t play any matches? This is the situation 22-year-old midfielder Shandon Baptiste has found himself in over recent weeks and he will be discussing the experience tonight on Hounslow Council’s Instagram when he does a Live Q&A takeover about life in lockdown.  

At the end of January, Shandon moved to Brentford on a four-and-a-half year deal from Oxford United. He counts himself lucky to have found an apartment and become somewhat settled before lockdown fully took hold, but he’s very keen to get playing in front of the Brentford fans.  

We may all be struggling with the restrictions around going to the gym, playing sport and exercising, but this takes on a new meaning for professional sports stars. How does a player prove himself at a new club, if he can’t play any football?  

Shandon will be discussing all this and more in his Instagram Live Q&A Takeover at 8pm tonight. Check it out by following our Instagram here or searching hounslowcouncil. 

A huge amount of working is going on to keep schools open for vulnerable children and those of key workers. In this video, Cllr Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Youth Services, thanks all those involved, as well as the young people working hard at home to continue their education - “The fact that we’ve all come together and we’re all doing our bit shows how wonderful our Hounslow community is." 

Heston West Big Local and Cranford Community College have teamed up to support the most vulnerable households in the Cranford and Heston area. 

The initial idea was to set up a pop-up foodbank to deliver to those in need using Cranford Community College’s wholesale catering company, Chartwell, as the main supplier.  The initiative has since been supported by Morrisons, Honeycomb pub, Seema Malhotra MP and local councillors. 

Over the past two weeks a team of over 20 volunteers, of all ages, have delivered 124 food parcels, each of a value of between £40 - £50 to households in the community. This has helped to put much needed food on the table for over 200 residents. 

The group intends to continue providing this service until the current coronavirus outbreak is over, and welcome donations. 

For more information on this important lifeline please visit hestonwest.org 

Firstcare Practice in Hounslow, also known as HIYOS (Healthy In Your Own Skin), has released a series of videos advising people on a whole range of topics to support them during the coronavirus outbreak. Topics include diet, mental health, diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD and pregnancy. 

It followed a survey, responded to by nearly 2,000 people, which asked how they could support patients and what they want from them during this difficult time.  

Online resources for health, education and wellbeing 

NHS fitness studio offers a range of online exercise videos from 10 -45 minutes.  

Free online fitness, yoga and Pilates classes for Hounslow residents, led by instructors at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust now includes new chair based exercise for over 60s.

#10today offers short routines for healthy activity. If you like listening to the radio why not try listening online, tune in to join many others taking part.

and for children and families:

Hounslow Children's Centres are still offering support. There's a whole host of ideas for great activities you can do with you child.

Beat the bug is packed with hints, tips and ideas to help individuals and families of all ages stay physically fit, strengthen their immunity and improve mental and emotional wellbeing.

imoves for 4-11yrs are helping keep primary aged children as active as possible by offering free access.

Superhero Fitness for 3-7yr olds is 15 mins of fun movement every day at 3.30pm and available anytime via videos on the OurParks Facebook page.

imoves for 4-11yrs are helping keep primary aged children as active as possible by offering free access.