|
15 May 2020
A message from Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council
This is the first weekend since lockdown measures were eased, but the reality is we’re still in lockdown and it’s as important as ever to keep following the rules.
I’m proud to say that across Hounslow most people have been following the rules, and I hope this will remain the case. You can read about the latest guidance, on the do’s and don’ts, and rules for parks below.
We must never forget that this is about saving lives. So far, sadly, about 240 people in the borough have passed away due to the virus. We want to stop this getting any higher.
Our number one priority in Hounslow has always been to keep people safe, particularly our most vulnerable residents. There are 22,000 people in the borough who have been identified by the NHS as needing to be ‘shielded’ because they are at particular risk. We take our duty to protect them extremely seriously, as should everybody.
Council officers and those of our partners will do their best to support and enforce the new measures consistently and fairly. Though following government guidance, we will be making local decisions on a case-by-case basis, always with the emphasis on safety.
There may be occasions where restrictions are frustrating or inconvenient to some. Please be patient with our staff and considerate of others. Our priority is trying to limit the spread of the virus to protect vulnerable people. We make no apologies for this.
On Monday, I’m pleased to say we’re reopening Space Waye. It’s been a challenging task to plan how we’re going to make sure it can operate safely, but there is a range of measures in place to ensure social distancing (more below). Please, for now, only go to the centre if it’s urgent and you can’t keep your waste at home for a bit longer.
Have a great weekend, and keep safe.
|
Changes to the coronavirus lockdown rules
The Government’s initial changes to the lockdown rules began on Wednesday. Below is a summary of what’s changed. There is a detailed Q&A on the Government’s website.
 People are also being urged to avoid public transport when possible, and walk or cycle where they can. It’s also recommended you wear a non-medical facemask when on public transport or in enclosed public spaces like shops.
New guidance for parks
 The new guidance means you can now:
- Exercise more often – with members of your household, and with one person not in your household
- Have a game of tennis – our courts will reopen, but only for singles games
- Sunbathe and have picnics – with people from your own household or with one person not in your household
- Play sports with members of your household and one person not in your household, e.g. knockabout football
- Drive to the park – car parks will be open on weekdays, but closed on weekends to avoid overcrowding. Still walk or cycle if possible.
However, you must still keep 2m apart from anyone not in your household.
And, remember, don’t touch your face and wash your hands often, especially when you get home or go to work.
What you still cannot do:
- Use our sports facilities (except for tennis courts), children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms. They will remain closed because of the high risk of cross-contamination
- Use the toilets or other buildings. They will remain closed
- Gather in groups and play sports with anyone other than those in your household and one other person
- Use the car parks at the weekend
- Let dogs off their leads
Space Waye reopening to the public for essential visits only
Space Waye and other Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) across west London will reopen from Monday 18 May 2020 for strictly essential use only.
The decision was taken following updated guidance from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is based on staffing, accessibility, and the agreement of traffic management plans.
A range of social distancing measures are in place to make sure it's safe and compliance will be essential in ensuring Space Waye can continue to remain open.
Full details of the Space Waye reopening guidance can be viewed here.
|
Mobile testing unit at Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club - Saturday 16 May
As more people are returning to work this week, you should get tested if you are symptomatic. A Coronavirus mobile testing unit will again be in place tomorrow at Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN. There is a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments available at this site.
Eligible people for testing are:
Our priority is testing patients to inform their clinical diagnosis.
-
all essential workers including NHS and social care workers with symptoms (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms)
-
anyone over 65 with symptoms (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms)
-
anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers) (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms)
-
anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms)
Additionally, we are testing:
-
social care workers in care homes (with or without symptoms)
-
NHS workers without symptoms according to NHS England guidelines
You can book your appointment here.
Anyone who shows up without an appointment will not be tested. The testing centre will be operating between 10.30am-3.30pm.
Please note that if an appointment is not available at the Grasshoppers’ site then the same testing criteria apply for bookings at the Twickenham testing site too, and they operate seven days a week. They do however only offer drive-in appointments.
|
Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme for this year’s mental health week 18-24 May is ‘kindness’ and we’re celebrating the impact it can have on someone’s mental health. We are supporting this campaign by encouraging random acts of kindness in the borough.
We all know a person or local organisation during the coronavirus pandemic who has helped to make our community special. From local people, volunteers, to local orgainsations or key workers and NHS staff working on the frontline to tackle the crisis. They are the ones who make us #LoveHounslow, but they don’t always get the recognition they deserve!
It’s your chance to say thank you and highlight the lovely acts of kindness that you have shown or been shown during these tough times by sharing your message on social media. Getting involved is easy, fun and really will help to spread peace, love and unity throughout Hounslow’s communities.
Do something to say thank you to a person, place or organisation that has helped you or someone you know recently. Download and share ‘thank you’ images/GIFs on social media with a kind message, draw a picture, send flowers take a picture or any other creative ways you can think of.
Make them feel extra-special by sharing your appreciation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or whatever social network you use, tagging them and using all or either of the below hashtags #MentalHealthAwarnessWeek #LoveHounslow
|
Superheroes don’t always wear capes
If you're doing essential journeys this weekend, keep an eye out for our striking tribute to all key workers who have worked tirelessly, ensuring that everyone in the borough feels safe and supported through these difficult times. Our tribute extends to all key workers, not just the six depicted in our visuals (postal worker, teacher, police officer, waste and recycling officer, doctor, care worker), such as delivery drivers, supermarket workers and small grocery shop owners who are working through this pandemic, making a difference to our lives each day. Thank you too to the army of volunteers, looking after our most vulnerable residents in the borough. We are all in this together.
Thanks also to JC Decaux for providing us with the use of their large format display sites to make our small gesture of thanks possible.
Exercise guidelines for people with autism
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 for exercise as often as necessary, 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.
|
Awarding qualifications this summer
Since the Secretary of State for Education announced that the 2020 exam series in England would be cancelled to help fight the spread of Coronavirus, the Government has worked at speed to develop a process which fairly recognises students’ work and makes sure they get their grades in time to progress.
You can find out more about how qualifications will be awarded this summer, further guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers and an open letter to students who were expecting to be taking their exams this summer here.
Guidance on protecting students and the higher education sector:
The Government has announced a range of measures to protect students and the higher education sector from the impact of COVID-19. Students should also read the student guide to COVID-19 for information about securing a place at university, the clearing process, accommodation and finance. All students who want to go to university and meet their entry requirements should still be able to access higher education.
|
Want to talk?
Feeling in need of a chat? We're working with Age UK to support befriending helpline for isolated and vulnerable residents across Hounslow. We've made calls to over 675 residents during this tough time. Get in touch via friends@ageukhounslow.org.uk or call 020 8560 6969, Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm.
|
Support during Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan will continue until Saturday 23 May.
Millions of Muslims around the world have found different ways to celebrate Ramadan this year, as restrictions imposed by countries to curb the spread of the coronavirus have closed mosques and banned gatherings. The UK government guidelines remain in place in Hounslow and Mosques will stay closed in the borough until restrictions are lifted.
The Muslim Council has provided advice and guidance on fasting, social distancing tips and how to make the most of Ramadan at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Open Iftar Festival usually provides a unique way of bringing together people from different faith backgrounds and none, to come together to break fast and share food. This has been cancelled due to coronavirus, but Open Iftar is providing a way to virtually interact every day with guest speakers and meals on their website.
|
Alcohol and your health
With pubs closed more and more people are drinking at home and with normal routines out of whack and stress levels heightened, you might find yourself drinking more than usual without noticing. If you’re worried about your drinking levels or for a loved one, there are tools and support available to help you keep track and seek further support if needed.
One You Hounslow’s Drink Less page provides useful tools to track how much you are drinking and advice on ways you can reduce your alcohol intake. You can also speak to one of their health advisors over the phone for advice and support on cutting down.
You can also try out phone applications to monitor your alcohol consumption, like the Try Dry or Drink Aware apps.
|
New funding for victims of domestic abuse
Please remember that support is still available for anyone facing abuse in Hounslow and If you are concerned about someone that may be at risk of domestic abuse in the community, please 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.
|
Oak Hill Academy celebrated VE Day in style
The Oak Hill Academy school remained open for Key Worker children and other priority group children and celebrated the 75th VE Day last weekend in style. The children watched the famous Red Arrows “fly over” on TV and a few minutes later watched the famous Red Arrows flying across Oak Hill Academy in full glory. The children observed the two minutes silence and later in the day put their creative skills to work! They made beautiful wooden World War II model war planes and ended the day with a fun socially distanced party! All the children went home with ice-cream and a smile on their face.
|
Entertainment and culture to enjoy at home
Watermans bringing the cinema magic to you at home
Watermans has been busy bringing its programme online. Last week, it launched its new free online Cinema Club: No Ticket Required. Every fortnight a film is discussed, hosted by Watermans resident cinephile Jon Davies. On Monday 18 May, the second Club will take place where the film ‘The Sense of an Ending’ will be discussed. It's open to everyone so do visit their website to find out more.
Watermans has also recently launched Watermans Online, a new Online Gallery featuring the work of leading New Media Artists, and a blog full of cultural and film insight and recommendations from its busy team of curators and artistic programmers. Check it out here.
You can sign up to their newsletter for regular film, family and performance picks here.
|
Art for Cure’s Big 100 Artists Online Exhibition is on until 31 May
Art for Cure, one of the leading art-related charities in the UK, is taking its biennial exhibition online this year to continue its vital fundraising work for breast cancer care. Originally scheduled to take place at Glemham Hall, a beautiful Elizabethan country house in Suffolk, over the VE Day weekend, Art for Cure has managed to redirect its efforts into an online offering called the Big 100 Artists Online Exhibition. The exhibition features more than 1,000 works by 100 UK artists, carefully curated into a brand new online gallery. You’ll find everything from contemporary art, photography and sculpture to ceramics, textiles and jewellery. Find out more here.
|
Join a virtual 'day out'
Let’s Day Out, has launched ‘Let’s Day In’ with an array of virtual events. You can enjoy live cooking demonstrations, virtual parties, art classes, workout sessions led by trainers and themed online meetups. The events will be free-of-charge, but all users will have the option to donate to the World Health Organisation to help them find a cure for COVID-19 with their COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Stream Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag stage show
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's stage version of Fleabag will be available to stream online, and all the proceeds will be going towards COVID-19 charities. You can watch it on Soho Theatre's On Demand streaming website for a minimum donation of £4.
General Assembly Free Workshops
Every week through June, General Assembly are offering a curated selection of free online workshops. They have taken their most popular short-form classes -ranging from £50 to £175 in value -and made them 100% free.
RSVPs are required, so be sure to save that (virtual) seat! Find out more here.
Bedford Park Festival and Photographic Exhibition
The Bedford Park Festival in Chiswick is one of London's best-loved arts and community events, attracting thousands of people of all ages. This year there will be a virtual Bedford Park Festival online.
The Bedford Park Festival photographic exhibition will take place entirely online, and entries are now open. It is being run in partnership with The Chiswick Calendar. Read how to submit photos on their website.
|
Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
New for adults, young people, children and families;
Better on demand provides access to workouts for free on the Better UK app, available from the Apple or Google Play stores. Enter BETTERFREE as the Club Access Code, club ref: Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub.
Joe Wicks also known as the Body Coach or, the nation’s PE teacher, is now offering virtual classes for seniors on his YouTube channel.
Make Movement your Mission designed by Later Life Training, includes a series of short online regular movement sessions done either in a chair or standing holding onto a support.
Mind’s guide for young people is available with information for young people who are worried about coronavirus and want to know how to cope with changes to their lives.
Sport Impact works with schools across Hounslow to give pupils the best opportunities in PE, Sport and Health, as well as encouraging Leadership and Volunteering. The team have created some Stay at Home Challenges to support learning whilst in the home.
OurParks coaches Ange and Premika are encouraging exercise at home and workout sessions via their facebook or YouTube channel. Why not try Saturday 10am Live HIIT Workout.
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have some great free fitness sessions for Hounslow residents including Pilates, Yoga and chair based exercise for over 60s, all part of their #BeeeatHome campaign.
Visit oneyouhounslow.org for more support and information.
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.
You can also follow us on social media using the links below.
|
