|
3 July 2020
A message from the leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran
It has been a week of rather alarmist headlines. First, there were warnings that Hounslow, along with several other London boroughs, was at a heightened risk of local lockdown. Then, there was the publication by Public Health England of new data which was reported as suggesting the real number of coronavirus cases were far higher than councils knew.
Let me reassure you, neither of these are cause for serious concern. We are not currently at heighted risk of a local lockdown, and the new cases we were made aware of don’t change the fact that overall levels in London remain low and steady.
Cllr Candice Atterton, Cabinet Member for Adults, Social Care and Health, issued two public statements, which you can read here:
Statement on local lockdown concerns
Statement on new data
That said, as the situation in Leicester reminds us, no one should start getting complacent. Coronavirus is still out there and lives are still at risk. We must all continue to follow the rules, be considerate of others, protect our vulnerable residents and control the spread.
This reminder is particularly important as we head into a weekend of further lockdown easing. That more businesses and other venues opening is great; we need to support our high streets and get the economy going again. But, everyone has got to be sensible and follow social distancing guidelines or we could undo all the hard work of the past months.
We’ve been supporting businesses and making sure they’ve got measures in places to keep staff and customers safe. However, our local police and enforcement teams will be out in force and won’t hesitate to take action against people or businesses acting irresponsibly. As has been the case throughout this pandemic, our priority remains people’s safety, especially protecting our vulnerable residents.
Sunday marks 72 years since the NHS and social care system was established, two fundamental parts of what makes Britain great. We’ll be marking the occasion on social media and by lighting Hounslow House blue, and I’m sure many of us will be on our doorsteps for the 5pm clap. Let’s not show our appreciation to the hard-working staff at West Middlesex Hospital by filling up their A&E with drunk people.
Have a great weekend, and stay safe.
|
Changes to lockdown rules start tomorrow
The Government recently set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family and allow more businesses to open.
From tomorrow (4 July):
- You can meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location - public or private, indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household - you can meet with different households at different times. However, it remains the case - even inside someone’s home - that you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble. This change also does not affect the support you receive from your carers.
- When you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines.
- Additional businesses and venues, including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites will be able to open - but certain premises where the risks of transmission may be higher will remain closed.
- Other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms will be able to open. Visit our website for information on Council facilities.
- Stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household.
- It will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law and unless all members of the group are exclusively from two households.
For more information, read the Government’s updated Q&A document on what you can and cannot do. It also details the full list of premises which are allowed to open.
The Government’s overarching guidance remains the same. Everyone must:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (two metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering on the public transport network, in hospitals and in enclosed or busy spaces, such as shops
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of a high temperature, or a new, continuous cough or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste.
You can find further advice and information on hygiene precautions and social distancing on the NHS website.
|
Shop safe this weekend
Anyone planning on heading out to the borough’s shops this weekend should make sure they follow the guidance and stay #shopsafe.
Please continue to follow current social distancing guidance when travelling to or visiting our local shops. To control the risk of infection and shop safe, residents should:
-
Follow the signage and guidance in the high streets, shopping centres and shops
-
Keep a safe distance from one another
-
Shops are operating on a ‘one-in-one-out’ system - please follow the rules
-
You are advised to wear a face covering inside the shop, if you can't keep a safe distance from other people
-
Don't touch items that you don't intend to buy
-
Use contactless payments where possible
-
Don't visit shops if you have symptoms - please stay home
-
Wash your hands the moment you get home or arrive at work
-
Travel by bike or car and avoid public transport where possible
-
If using public transport, you must wear a face covering
Additional signage has been installed in shopping areas to remind people to maintain safe distances.
|
Check before you travel
Not all businesses which can reopen tomorrow will be. Many are acting cautiously in the wake of the relaxation of the rules and are taking the time to make sure that they can operate successfully and safely, with proper social distancing measures. So, don't expect all restaurants and bars to be open from tomorrow and check before travelling.
A full list of businesses that can open from tomorrow, provided they have the necessary coronavirus protection in place, and those that must remain closed, can be found here.
|
Report any flouting of the rules
Although more premises are open from this weekend and we are moving towards some sense of normality, we still need to be cautious, follow the rules and be considerate of others.
The Noise Enforcement team will be out and about on Saturday night from 10pm-2am. You can contact the team via this form or call 020 8583 2222.
For public disorder incidents, you can contact the police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.
There will be an increased presence of enforcement teams and the police across the borough to ensure that rules are being respected and they will be checking pubs and restaurants to make sure they’re compliant with the guidelines.
|
Parks and open spaces update
By the end of next week, outdoor gyms and playgrounds will have reopened in parks following updated government guidance. This is not a return to normal and signage will be in place to advise users of social distancing and hygiene precautions to help reduce the risk of infection.
Updated guidance on staying safe in our parks and open spaces is available here.
|
Pothole Pledge 2020
Cllr Guy Lambert was onsite with Hounslow Highways crews today as this year’s Pothole Pledge works commenced at Berkeley Avenue, Cranford.
The programme will see thirteen roads be included within the Pothole Pledge for 2020 with work due to complete by the autumn. For more information on the scheduled works please visit our website.
|
Places of worship to reopen
We know that the Government's recent announcement that places of worship can begin to reopen from tomorrow will be welcome news to lots of our residents. We know how challenging it has been.
Each venue has been provided with guidance to reopen, ensuring that they follow the principles to keep visitors safe at all times. This will mean limited attendance capacity to ensure social distancing measures are followed. It's important that if you are looking to attend your chosen place of worship, you understand these guidelines before attending
Please make yourself aware of the requirements on the Government’s website.
|
Clean hands protect against infection
Washing our hands more regularly is the most effective way to protect ourselves from contracting the coronavirus and helps to keep others safe too.
-
Cleaning your hands regularly.
-
Washing your hands with soap and water and drying them thoroughly.
-
Washing your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (around 20 seconds).
-
Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, if you don’t have immediate access to soap and water.
It is important to wash your hands more often, especially:
-
when you get to work or arrive home
-
after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze
-
before you eat or handle food
You can watch the NHS video on how to effectively wash your hands here.
If you suffer from eczema or skin dryness due to frequent washing of your hands, then you can follow the tips here to help minimise any irritation to your skin.
The symptoms you need to look out for are:
-
a high temperature,
-
a new, continuous cough,
-
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
It's all of our responsibilities to protect our loved ones and our wider communities to keep Hounslow safe.
|
There is no excuse for domestic abuse
The potential of domestic abuse rising this weekend may be high due the reopening of pubs and restaurants. There is no excuse for abuse and we are urging anyone, to be mindful of their behaviour and seek help, if they are worried about hurting their loved ones.
If you are concerned about your behaviour towards loved ones, support is available from Respect.
Respect is a domestic abuse organisation that leads in the development of safe, effective work with preparators, male victims and young people using violence in their close relationships.
The Respect phoneline is a key source of support for people concerned about their behaviour and wanting to manage and change it. Now more than ever, this service is critical to anyone that is finding it difficult to manage their behaviour.
You can call the Respect helpline on 0808 8024040 (Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or visit the Respect website for more advice and support.
Remember our message to anyone facing domestic abuse is really simple:
We are still here and we are still able to help you.
If you are not safe at home, isolation rules do not apply and you can leave you home to escape abuse.
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.
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 pressing 55 and the police will know this is related to a domestic incident and will be able to help you.
Safe spaces in Boots and Morrison Pharmacies
Boots and Morrison pharmacies now offer safe places where anyone suffering domestic abuse can use the pharmacy consultation rooms to contact specialist abuse services for support and advice. The access to support services in Boots and Morrison Pharmacies include:
- 24-hour National domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247
-
Men’s advice line: 0808 801 032
-
Signposting to download free mobile app Bright Sky, which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
Simply go into any Boots store or Morrisons store and ask at the healthcare counter to use their consultation room. Once inside, all the specialist domestic abuse support information will be available to make any calls in a safe and confidential environment.
|
Today is National Bereaved Parents Day
When a parent loses a child, being able to talk about them and recall special memories can help parents find comfort.
Yet often this opportunity never comes because people are afraid they will upset grieving loved ones, or not know how to react to a parent showing such strong emotions.
National Bereaved Parents Day launched by bereaved parent charity A Child of Mine, aims to bring an end to the feelings of social isolation bereaved parents often feel, by asking everyone to display messages of support across social media and to light a candle for the children lost today.
Bereavement is one of the toughest things any of us will ever go through. The current isolation and social distancing measures in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic can make the situation particularly difficult. People are not able to be with their loved ones to offer comfort and support in person, and limits on who is able to attend funerals often means difficult choices have to be made, making it an even more challenging time for those most affected. To offer support, we have put together some resources and guides on how to cope with a loved one's death and where to go for more information and advice.
Find all the information and support you need to cope with bereavement here.
|
Celebrating the NHS birthday this weekend
It's the NHS birthday on Sunday, and we’re taking this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has helped the NHS respond to coronavirus. This includes our amazing staff working round the clock to support everyone during these challenging times, our key workers across the borough and our local communities for pulling together and supporting each other through this pandemic.
Join us on Sunday at 5pm for a country-wide clap to say thank you together.
|
New funding stream available for voluntary and community organisations
Local voluntary and community organisations can now apply for the first round of the Thriving Communities: Hounslow Response Fund focusing on recovery. This fund will help to support the voluntary and community sector to create, engage and deliver long term recovery projects to help the residents of the borough.
The fund enables charities or community groups impacted by coronavirus to apply for grants of up to £50,000. There will be three rounds of funding available.
Key areas that we are particularly interested in funding are:
-
Digital inclusion
-
Unemployment or underemployment as a result of coronavirus, including support to find employment, develop skills and retrain
-
Mental health
-
Young people
- Sustainable response to food insecurity
Visit our website for more information.
|
Face coverings must be worn on the public transport
Face coverings must be worn for the full duration of journeys on public transport. Operators will be able to refuse travel or issue penalty fines for those who fail to wear a face covering, in a similar way to the rules on having a ticket for travel.
Wherever possible, people should continue to avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive to free up limited spaces available to those who have no alternative way to travel. You should also avoid busy stations and peak times (5.45-8.15am and 4-5.30pm).
|
London Climate Action Week
We have all had to make lifestyle changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic, whether it’s how we work, how we travel or how we shop. Many of these changes have had a positive impact on the environment and we hope that people want to maintain some of them as lockdown restrictions are eased.
Get active on climate change!
Swapping short car journeys with cycling or walking is an easy way to reduce CO2 emissions. Get the most out of your bike with these top tips from Sustrans, and enjoy the numerous health benefits physical activity has to offer, all while helping save the planet!
You can find out more about what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment on our website.
|
The recycling journey in Hounslow
Cllr Guy Lambert has provided an overview of the recycling journey in Hounslow, from our homes, to the Material Handling Facility at Southall Lane, and beyond.
“Please be assured when you recycle in the borough, you are making a positive contribution to the environment, as collected materials are managed responsibly by the Council and our partners, so please do keep recycling all you can.”
Read Cllr Lambert’s full update here.
|
A greener approach to weed management
We have been significantly reducing the use of herbicide for the management of weeds throughout the borough. This reduction is part of our commitment to a cleaner, greener Hounslow, further promoting biodiversity and increasing our green infrastructure.
This approach is fully supported by our service providers Hounslow Highways across public highways and Greenspace 360 in parks and open spaces, enabling all the borough to become more hospitable to plants.
The use of specific herbicides will be restricted and only considered when it is not viable to use non-chemical alternatives, for example, controlling the spread of an invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed.
For more information on weed treatment in Hounslow, visit our website.
|
Support is available for unemployment or reduced work due to coronavirus
You might also be able to:
You might also be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance if one of the following applies to you or your child, now or some time in the past:
-
you’re at high risk because you have an underlying health condition (shielding)
-
you’re self-isolating because you have symptoms of coronavirus
-
you’re self-isolating because you came into contact with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, or you were told to self-isolate by a test and trace service
Interviews and assessments will be done by telephone. You should not go to a Jobcentre Plus unless asked to do so for an exceptional purpose, for example to collect your Payment Exception Service vouchers.
If you are self-employed and getting less work or no work because of coronavirus you might be able to claim a grant for lost income. You can find out more about the scheme here.
You can find more support and advice on our website.
|
Take part in our short survey and tell us how you are being affected by the pandemic
We know this is an extremely challenging time for our residents and that the Coronavirus pandemic has affected many aspects of your day to day life.
We want to better understand how your life has been affected, how you are feeling now, what support services you are accessing and how Council services can help support your recovery over the coming months.
Please also share your opinions on how the Council has responded and what we could do better.
This survey is completely anonymous and you don’t have to answer every question. Your views are really important in helping us understand the issues and will inform and influence what we do.
|
Just under a year to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme
3.3 million people have already been granted status.
EEA citizens and their family members are encouraged to apply now.
Due to processing delays related to coronavirus, it’s especially important to start gathering the documents you need to apply, such as a valid passport or ID card.
To prepare for your application, make sure that you secure as much evidence of your time living in the UK as possible.
Due to coronavirus, many organisations supporting people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme have had to cancel their face-to-face outreach. Some organisations are looking to provide support in other ways, such as by telephone and online.
|
Coping well during the coronavirus pandemic
A series of NHS-led webinars to support anyone who is feeling anxious about coronavirus and how it is impacting them, their loved ones or their work is available on the Thrive LDN website.
Coping Well During Covid webinars cover managing wellbeing, anxiety, low mood and sleeping difficulties.
|
Every minute of exercise counts
Doing 10 minutes of brisk walking is a simple, achievable way to add more activity into your day. Brisk walking is simply walking quicker than usual, at a pace that gets your heart pumping. It's a great way to get outside and improve your health. A daily brisk walk can:
· boost your energy
· clear your head and lift your mood
· improve your fitness and make it easier to do everyday activities, like food shopping or gardening
· lower your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, as well as depression and anxiety
Every minute of activity counts, but aiming for at least 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is the perfect place to start when working towards the recommended physical activity guidelines. The Active 10 app is a great way to help you track and gradually increase your levels of brisk walking over time – why not get started with your first daily brisk walk today?
You can visit the NHS website for more information.
|
Take part in the Green Space survey
How have you been using green spaces during coronavirus? Your experiences could help inform policy around physical distancing and the management of green spaces There is also a chance to win £50 if you complete Westminster University’s survey.
|
Culture and entertainment to enjoy at home
Feltham Arts
Our cultural delivery partners, Feltham Arts are exploring ways to continue bringing together art programming in the digital sphere.
They have been sharing podcasts, music, artworks designed by fellow artists, creative workshop ideas and more over the last few weeks through their Twitter @Feltham_Arts and website www.felthamarts.org, ‘What’s On ‘ page.
Check out the FA Summer Exhibition, showcasing local artists work on the ’What’s On’ Exhibition page
|
Try some gardening out
Feltham in Bloom are offering free plants, seeds and materials to help people to get started to #GrowAtHome.
They are reaching out to people who may never have had a garden or even thought about growing, such as those people living in the flats and high-rise blocks all around the Feltham area.
There are hundreds of baby plants: tomatoes, pak choi, pumpkins, peppers, chillies, strawberries, beetroot, herbs and masses of seeds, that have all been donated by members of Feltham in Bloom and local allotment holders. Contact: rob.antill@hotmail.com
Visit the Feltham in Bloom Group on Facebook
Or you can just turn up and collect your free plants from these schools:
· Victoria Junior School, Victoria Road TW13 (Mon, Wed and Fri after 3.30pm)
· Reach Academy, 53-55 High St, Feltham TW13 4AB (Tues and Thurs.)
|
Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
New for adults, young people, children and families;
BBC Sounds Need some music to accompany your morning run or home workout? Try out these new pace setter mixes. From dance hits to upbeat pop these tunes will keep you motivated.
Autism Hounslow every Tuesday and Thursday there is an opportunity to learn Shintaido - a Japanese Martial Art - through online sessions designed specifically for autistic people.
Osterley National Trust Park and Garden The garden and car park at Osterley have reopened, you’ll need to book your tickets by 3pm the day before your visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. Tickets are released every Friday.
Active at Home for older adults the new booklet from Public Health England provides practical guidance to older adults on activities they can undertake at home in order to maintain their strength and balance.
LYG Virtual Games is open to all children and young people from Hounslow until 4th July. There is still time to get involved- check out the leader board with the latest Borough standings which is updated every week. #ThisIsLYG.
Hounslow Cycling sessions in conjunction with Bikeworks, is for anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough. Free ‘Dr Bike’ bike servicing also available, click here for the schedule.
NHS Fitness Studio has some great new workout routines that you can do anytime, anywhere including, aerobics, belly dancing, pilates and yoga.
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.
|
