 It's Thursday night, and as we take the opportunity to publicly thank all those heroes working in the NHS, care and frontline services, I hope you can also take a moment to think about how your own actions can help us get through this COVID-19 crisis.
Small things that we all do will keep the most vulnerable people in our community safe, and protect the NHS so it can support us all by delivering care to all those who are ill, not just those suffering from the coronavirus.
For example, if you visit one of Havering's parks as part of your daily exercise routine please don't congregate in groups or block paths. Keep a 2 metre distance at all times from anyone not living with you in your household whether you are out shopping or exercising.
We know the Government have said that local tips should consider opening again. As I mentioned before we are not in direct control of Gerpins Lane. ELWA are the organisation responsible for our tip, and a number of others in East London.
We have been talking to them, and we have made a compelling case that Gerpins Lane can be re-opened safely with appropriate measures, including social distancing and traffic management, in place to keep staff and residents safe. This also includes offering them staff and other support.
The site will only be opened with agreement from all four London boroughs served by ELWA, and only once the required staff resource is available to manage the site safely and effectively.
It is frustrating that the final decision to re-open is out of my direct control but we are pushing as hard as we can.
If you want to contact me directly, please email me.
Please stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council and Tapestry have joined forces to expand the Care Call Service and the Telephone Befriending Service.
Many Havering residents are struggling to cope and want to talk to someone.
Alongside the bereavement line the Council have set up with Havering MIND for those that have lost loved ones to COVID-19, this new phone line is available to anyone in the borough feeling isolated and lonely who want to speak to a friendly person.
This new phone line consolidates the support that is available in the borough and increases the number of people in Havering that the volunteers can support, ensuring that no-one that needs help is left behind.
The Befriending phone line is 01708 796611.
It is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm at weekends.
|
This week the Government has announced revised plans to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May in a manner consistent with the current measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The new programme will allow members of the public to remember and give thanks to the Second World War generation from the safety of their own homes.
Friday 8 May is a public holiday this year in place of the usual first Monday in May.
Havering Council is organising a whole series of online events to mark this historic occasion and is also encouraging residents to hold Stay at home street parties.
We encourage you to decorate your home with bunting and have a picnic in your garden or living room. At 3pm on the day there will be a ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’.
From the safety of your own home stand up and raise a glass of refreshment of your choice as you join in the toast – “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”
This will be a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today. More details of activities online, including wartime songs sing-along videos, will be revealed in the coming days in this newsletter and on our website.
|
In his weekly message the Chief Executive of our local NHS hospitals trust, shares a message to reassure people who are worried about coming to hospital at this time.
Tony Chambers encourages those with serious injuries or illnesses to continue visiting emergency departments to avoid any long-term risks to their health.
He outlines how the Trust will support a national review looking at whether COVID-19 is having a disproportionate effect on our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
He also highlights how hospital staff, who are observing the month of Ramadan, are being supported to fast.
The Trust has also updated its visitor restrictions policy so that people supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability, or autism can visit.
|
There is a crowdfunding campaign running to support our Havering community organisations, so they can continue to help our vulnerable residents during the coronavirus crisis.
If you would like to give, please click the donate button below.
Small charities, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises or unregistered charity groups can apply for a Havering Heroes grant by email.
|
White goods manufacturer Whirlpool yesterday announced the recall of a further 21 washing machine models among its Hotpoint brand range.
Last December, the manufacturer announced Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines that were made between 2014 and 2018 were affected by a door lock defect which may cause the machine to catch fire.
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, Whirlpool has now identified a further 55,000 machines - Hotpoint and Indesit brands - impacted by this fault.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute is urging consumers to check if their appliance is affected by using the Whirlpool model checker or by calling the Whirlpool customer service team on 0800 316 1442.
|
Havering Council's Arts Development Team, Waste Team, and Havering Libraries have been working together to invite you to create a piece of art from something that you might have previously thrown away.
Some examples are a piece of art created from milk bottle tops, a train with the carriages made from empty toilet roll centres, a collage made from old magazines or newspapers, or a sculpture made from a cereal packet.
Email a photograph (ideally at least 1MB in size) of just the art work to arts@havering.gov.uk with the artist's name and age.
If you can, also include some text explaining what you used, and how you made your art piece. Art work will be displayed online once collated.
The closing date for entries is 15 May 2020.
Terms & Conditions: Free entry. Only original designs and pieces allowed. Copyright laws apply. All submitted works may be shared on all of Havering Councils social media accounts. The online exhibition will include the artists first name and age.
|
 Havering Council is running a free-to-call helpline for residents with urgent emergency food or medicine needs because of coronavirus.
The helpline - 0800 368 5201 - is for you if you are already vulnerable and have no means of getting more food or medicine.
You can call between 8.30am and 6pm on weekdays and 11am and 4pm at the weekend. Alternatively, email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk.
Ever wondered if you could aspire to be a foster carer?
To learn what a lasting impact you could have on a young person’s life, watch Dreece as he talks about the support and encouragement he received from his foster carer.
Dreece says “As long as you are loved that’s all that matters, that has stuck with me ever since.”
Havering Council's fostering team is holding fostering information events online rather than face to face. More details and an online booking form can be found on our website.
|
Unfortunately there is a minority of people who choose to take advantage of a crisis to cheat or scam people.
Sadly these often target the most vulnerable in society.
Here are just some of the scams we are aware of, but please note that criminals come in all shapes and sizes and can contact you at the door, by phone, post or online:
- Be aware of people offering miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19).
- People impersonating healthcare workers, claiming to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buy.
- Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar are usually bogus and they are just after your personal and bank details.
- There are lots of fake products available to buy online that say they can protect you or cure coronavirus. These will not help and are designed to take your money.
- There are new mobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom.
- Your bank or the police will never ask for your bank details over the phone.
- People offering to do your shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing.
|
|
