Coronavirus update: 27 April 2020

Since the coronavirus pandemic began the Government has only sent out one text message to the public regarding new rules to the public about staying at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Any others you may receive claiming to be from the UK Government are fake and a scam.  

Criminals are able to use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know and trust. If you receive an unexpected text or email, asking for personal or financial details, do not respond.

Remember, do not click on the links or attachments in any texts or emails and instead visit the official website through a known route.

Other scams to be aware of are:

• Fake testing kits offered for sale.
• E-mails purporting to come from an official organisation seeking personal details or donations.
• False from government agencies e.g. HMRC, DWP branding on e-mails making offers of financial support.
• Criminals making efforts to access home computers - don’t divulge your logon details or passwords.
• E-mails about a breach of the ‘stay home regulations’ demanding payment of a fine.
• E-mails about free school meal provision looking for personal and financial details
• Online shopping scams where orders for protective face masks, hand sanitiser and other healthcare products have never arrived.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched Suspicious Email Reporting Service. You can forward any suspicious emails directly to NCSC-including those claiming to offer services related to coronavirus.  

If you think you may have been the victim of fraud or cyber crime, you should report this to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Find out more about how to stay safe and secure on the National Cyber Security website.   

If you or someone you know is living with autism, going outside can be an important part of your daily routine and essential for your mental wellbeing. The lockdown measures can be very challenging and Government guidance allows people with autism to leave the house more than once a day for exercise ideally in-line with your care plan.

Autism Hounslow can help support you and provides some useful information on tips and advice for autistic people and families. You can access a guide to local services for autism support here.

The National Autistic Society also has the latest guidance on coronavirus and its impact on autistic people.

Entries are being invited for the annual Brentford FC Community Sports Trust journalism project. Run in partnership with the Fearless Foundation, the project was set up in memory of The Daily Star’s chief football reporter Danny Fullbrook who died of cancer aged just 40 in 2012. It encourages local children to unlock their creative potential and develop their writing skills by writing a match report.

The competition usually involves school children writing a match report at Griffin Park Learning Zone, which is subsequently reviewed by a selection of judges. This year the competition will be organised remotely, given the current restrictions on public gatherings and non-essential movement. But it is still going ahead.

The Trust is launching the Fearless competition online, and is challenging youngsters to write a match report on Brentford’s win away to Swansea City in October. This competition is open for all 8-14 year olds and the judging panel will consist of representatives from the Club, the Trust and the Fearless Foundation. Apply here.

Celebrity chef and campaigner, Jamie Oliver, has teamed up with Children’s food and health charity Bite Back 2030 to support families who are receiving the government’s new £15 free school meals voucher. Together, they have developed the #BiteBackLunchList, a simple shopping list and some easy meal ideas to help budgets go further.

Find out more here.

If you are feeling anxious, worried or stressed about coronavirus, it’s important that you are kind to yourself.

The NHS-approved digital mental wellbeing service, Good Thinking, promotes proactive self-care for the four most common mental health conditions: anxiety, low mood, sleeping difficulties and stress. It delivers a clinically validated self- assessment tool that provides recommendations that are personalised for you.

Good Thinking has also put together a list of information to signpost people to help and advice. This includes specifically tailored advice for healthcare workers, children and young people, and parents and carers.

5 ways to wellbeing

Especially more than ever we need to remember to stay mentally healthy, the five ways to wellbeing are things we can do to help support ourselves. Some of the things you can do to support good mental health and wellbeing are:

• Connect- phone or video chat with friends and family
• Be active- take part in free online exercise classes or go for a walk
• Take notice-take time to reflect on what matters most to you
• Learn-why not learn a new word every day or take up a free online course
• Give-donate to charity or give time to someone who needs to talk

If you would like some more advice on how to support your mental health and wellbeing during lockdown, visit www.everymindmatters.co.uk to create a personalised Mind Plan.

 Technology provides hours of education and important social opportunities for children and young people while lockdown restrictions are in place. But it can also present risks. Advice, support and activity packs are available to help parents, children and young people stay safe.

Visit the ThinkUKnow website for more information.

The coronavirus pandemic presents a new challenge for people living through domestic abuse, but support is still available in Hounslow.

Victims and survivors who are following government guidelines to stay at home may feel that they are not able to access support or escape abuse at times they otherwise would.

For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help available from various support services.

This pandemic highlights the risk of abuse that now may not be visibly seen as abusers are now at home with their victims and may only be heard. If you hear anything such as shouting or screaming that is out of the ordinary or are worried about a friend, colleague and/or neighbour please check up on them to make sure they are okay and let them now that they are not alone.  

If you are concerned about anyone at risk of domestic abuse in the community, please let them know that our specialist domestic and sexual violence service for Hounslow is still open (they can be contacted on 07810 031780 (Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and we have developed new ways of working to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Download and/or share our safety card  with friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues and for more support and advice please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/dvinfo.

You can show your support and solidarity to let victims know they are not alone by drawing a heart on your hand and posting this picture on your social media with the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone. Please mention @LBofHounslow  on Twitter and/or Facebook and we will share your pictures on our social media channels.  

Anyone in immediate risk of danger call 999. If it is not safe to speak then you should use the silent solutions service by dialling 999 and press 55 and the police will know this is related to a domestic incident and will be able to help you.