Coronavirus update: 18 May 2020

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Coronavirus

18 May 2020   

Mental Health Awareness Week-be kind to yourself

MHAW

This week it is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme is 'kindness'. Little acts of kindness can really boost your mental health. However, kindness is also being kind to yourselves. Taking some time out is more important than ever and it is completely normal to be feeling anxious, fearful, sad or worried during these uncertain times. Make sure you do the things you enjoy, connect with people you love and be kind. Kindness does really matter! 

Take part in the Every Mind Matters campaign to learn simple tips and tricks to help you find your centre.  

Every Mind Matters provides expert advice and practical tips on the following topics: 

  • 10 tips to help if you’re worried about coronavirus 
  • Looking after children and young people 
  • 7 simple ideas to tackle working from home 
  • Mental wellbeing while staying at home  

You can also sign up to create a customised mind plan by answering 5 quick questions to get a free plan with tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control.  

Find out more here 


Long queues for Space Waye on first day of reopening

Spacewaye queues

Space Waye and other Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) across west London reopened today for strictly essential use only. This is NOT a return to normal operations as important measures have been introduced to keep visitors and staff safe. Full details of the Space Waye reopening guidance can be viewed here.

Long queues of vehicles were witnessed throughout today with many visitors experiencing long waiting times of around two hours to gain entry to the site. Traffic management measures restricted vehicles from joining queues at Central Way and limited the number of waiting vehicles on Pier Road to help ensure adequate traffic flow for other users of the trading estate.

Hounslow Council is reminding visitors that compliance to social distancing arrangements will be essential in ensuring Space Waye can continue to remain open to the public.

In line with government guidance, Household Waste and Recycling Centres are for essential use only, so please only visit if storing waste at home could cause injury or illness.


Business impact survey 

Closed for business

We understand that the ongoing pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on local businesses of all sizes, and from all sectors, and will continue to bring challenges over the coming months. While you are no doubt working hard to respond to the evolving situation, we would appreciate your time in completing the Business Impact Survey 

The survey is for all business owners operating within the London Borough of Hounslow, as well as social enterprises and individuals who are self-employed or who do freelance work.  We want to hear from you about what you need in the short, medium and long term so please complete this form to let us know how this challenge is affecting you, your staff and the wider community. The results from the survey will be invaluable in evidencing the impact of Covid-19 on local businesses, and shaping the council’s support and assistance for you as we move forward.   

Your contact name and email will not be shared externally. By submitting your contact details, you are consenting to us (the Council) contacting you with general business guidance and information only.  

take part in survey

We are very aware of the stress being put upon businesses during the pandemic and want to assist you to navigate through these challenging times. If you have any questions please email enquiries@investhounslow.com 


Support for businesses  

Support for business

If you would like to access local support including webinars & virtual events, as well as fact sheets, information on grants, loans or fundraising through Idox Open 4 Business for your business please visit the website and also register for our business newsletter and The London Growth Hub has a free to use portal to support London-based businesses and employers, to manage and mitigate their exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). It brings together essential free resources to help you keep up to date with the latest developments, support offerings and all relevant COVID-19 information, including: 

- Access to book a free 1-2-1 meeting with an expert business adviser (subject to availability) 

- Checklists, factsheets and guides for businesses and employers

 - Information on Government and sector-specific support 

- Information about financial assistance, grants and schemes 

- Access to COVID-19 webinars, virtual events and external resources 

- The latest news and updates 

- A feedback survey to help London Growth Hub, and partners, understand the changing needs of businesses anthe Government s-coronavirus-support-finder tool.


Car-free zones in London as Congestion Charge and ULEZ reinstated 

TFL

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London (TfL) have announced plans to transform parts of central London into one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city in the world. This is necessary to enable safe social distancing on public transport in London as lockdown restrictions are eased, and will help support increased walking and cycling and improve the city’s air quality. 

The £11.50 a day charge is now applied between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, instead of just weekdays. This charge will rise to to £15 from 22 June.

The ultra low emission zone which costs £12.50 for most vehicles that don't meet the emissions threshold, has also been reintroduced today for most vehicles that don't meet the emissions threshold, and £100 for heavy lorries or coaches. 

This follows a deal in which TfL secured emergency funding from the Government to keep tube and bus services going until September.  

Under the new conditions set by the Government, children will no longer have free travel across London and restrictions on free travel passes for people with a disability or over 60 will be imposed during peak hours.  

To support NHS staff, the Congestion Charge reimbursement scheme is being extended and will also be open to care home workers.  

Read more about the announcement here. 


Enjoy the parks in Hounslow sensibly  

parks

With good weather forecast most of this week, please remember to follow the social distancing guidelines when visiting any of Hounslow's parks or open spaces.

Stay at least two metres away from anyone who doesn't live in your household.

Don't block pathways so that other residents can enjoy our parks.

Be considerate if you are riding a bike or jogging to keep away from other park users.

Please follow the Government guidance on what you can and can't do when out in parks or public spaces.

Whilst you are exploring the lovely parks or open spaces in the borough, keep an eye out for the interesting wildlife and insects visiting our parks as the weather perks up. A great idea to keep the little ones entertained is to start a bug- watch. You can send us any photos of insect and wildlife sightings, and we will share these on our social media. Please tag these photos using the hashtag #LoveHounslow on your social media.

Below are some lovely pictures of local wildlife that we have received to brighten up your day! Keep sharing your photos with us. 

wildlife pics

Abuse support services 

Domestic abuse

Staying home is hard for everyone, but much more so for those who might be facing abuse in their own homes. We are providing support and advice over the phone to residents suffering domestic abuse and to people who want to report suspected abuse of a child.  

If you, or someone you know, is at risk of harm, you can contact the following services:  

 ·Victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, or gender-based violence can contact our specialist domestic and sexual violence service for Hounslow. They can be contacted on 07810 031780, Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm. You can find out more information here.    

·If you are concerned about the safety of children, you can call Children's Services Contact Team on 020 8583 6600 option 2. After 5pm weekdays or weekends: Telephone 020 8583 2222 and ask to speak to the duty social worker. Alternatively, you can email the team: childrensocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk.  

·In an emergency, call the police on 999. If it’s not safe for you to speak, you can make silent phone calls to the police by dialling 999 and pressing 55 when prompted. 


Supporting social housing residents  

supporting housing

The Minister of State for Housing, has today published a letter to social housing residents in England setting out all the measures that are in place to support social housing residents during the next phase towards reopening society. 

During this period, you should continue to pay rent and abide by all other terms of your tenancy agreement to the best of your ability. If you have trouble paying your rent, you should speak to your landlord as soon as possible. The Government has a strong package of financial support available and you can find more information on this here: COVID-19: guidance for employees. 

The letter includes information about maintenance and repairs, financial support, gas safety checks, remediation works, home moves, support for domestic abuse victims and anti-social behaviour. 

You can read the letter on the Government’s website 

You can call the housing team customer service centre on 020 8583 4000 (open Monday - Friday, 8am – 6pm) or fill in the online inquiry form here for more advice and support.  


Home learning support for parents and teachers 

home schooling

Teach Computing offers a comprehensive national programme of home learning support for parents and teachers that can be accessed for free of charge.  

You can access a range of home teaching resources and websites that can be used to continue educating and supporting young people whilst they are at home.This includes their fantastiresource repository, through which you can access lesson plans, units and activities to boost learning at home.  

Find out more here  


Brentford Football Club lockdown party  

brentford football club

Are you fed up of Fridays in lockdown? Why not join Brentford Football Club’s free lockdown party on Instagram this Friday 

Join them for Hip Hop, Grime, R&B, Dancehall, Afrobeat’s, House and much more by their experienced DJ. Plus, they will have exciting signed Brentford merchandise to be won if you take part. Plus, you can request songs as you party along with them 

Their very first lockdown party is aimed at teenagers and will be held on Friday 22 May 6.30pm-8.30pm. All you need to do is follow us them on Instagram at brentfordfccst 

The more family orientated lockdown party will take place on Facebook Live on Wednesday 20 May 6pm-8pm for children in primary school. Parents feel free to join your children for this party!   

For more information, please contact Reena at rsilva@brentfordfccst.com.

Read more here.


Good Gym missions

good gym mission

GoodGym is a charity that helps people get fit while doing good and making a real difference to the community. The programme started in Chiswick in 2016 and combines regular exercise with helping local communities. Each week runners run to help isolated older people with one off practical tasks. The volunteers also work together on group runs, to help tackle larger community tasks, in support of local organisations.

Taking part connects people and is proven to improve well-being for both, volunteers and the people they work with. GoodGym works closely with Council services and is continuing to support the work of the Community Hub. Tasks at this time focus on safe food delivery to isolated people who are most in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

You can learn more about the charity and the work of local volunteers 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. 

The Council has a coronavirus advice webpage which is updated daily with the latest local information for residents and businesses. 

Advice in accessible formats and different languages

You can also follow us on social media using the links below. 

The latest information on coronavirus in general is available on the Government’s website. 

Protect yourself and others

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