 Havering's top priorities as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic are to support the most vulnerable in our society and help our health and care services save lives.
Fortunately, after much sacrifice by everyone, we are seeing the infection rates reduce and we now have a well established network of support services, some provided by the Council, others by our fantastic voluntary sector. This bulletin provides ample evidence of that on a daily basis.
Yesterday, the Government set out its strategy for the next phase of the pandemic response. It has now published a very helpful question and answer document explaining the changes to the current lockdown policy that will apply from tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) that I encourage you to read.
We need to stay alert and control the virus. The best way to do this is stay at home if you can, stay two metres apart from others if you are out, and wash your hands regularly.
As I mentioned in my message yesterday, during these difficult times it is important that we are all considerate of each other.
Judging by some of the emails I received I think I may have given the impression that people pushing buggies should always give way to other pedestrians. That, of course, is not the case. To be clear, my message is that we should allow everyone to enjoy their exercise time outside without feeling intimidated or crowded by other users of pathways, be they joggers, cyclists or pedestrians.
Our parks are enjoyed by many people and it is important that everybody is considerate to the needs of others so that all users can feel safe whilst they are visiting them. I encourage everybody to explore all of our parks, we have over 100, more widely, using all parts of the parks including the grassed areas, not just the paths.
If you do need to use the paths, please bear in mind that some of them are less than two metres wide and can be particularly winding in areas, so I encourage everybody to remain mindful of other people's mobility. Some people may not be able to move as quickly as you can, so give them an opportunity to find a safe passing point, or allow as much space as possible to pass safely.
If you are riding a bike don't use the roadside pavement (unless part of that footway area is designated as a cycle track as indicated by blue signage), use the road, and don't go too close to people walking on the pavements. The Highway Code states that you must not cycle on a pavement intended just for pedestrians. The offence of riding a bike on such a pavement is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30. This is charged under Schedule 3 and Section 51 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Lastly, if you are suffering from financial hardship because of the coronavirus, including an inability to pay rent, council tax or other bills, please contact the Council. We can help. Details are under the Havering Helps banner below.
Please stay safe.
If you want to contact me directly, email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 Whilst the COVID-19 lockdown continues, Havering Council wants to be able to offer as much help and support to residents as possible.
We have put in place a comprehensive support package, including:
- £2m from Council emergency reserves for Havering’s Emergency Assistance Scheme, which will provide residents in real financial need with up to £100 a time in cash, up to a limit of £1,000 a year, as well as food vouchers and help replacing broken washing machines, ovens and fridge freezers
- £1.8m provided from the Government to give all residents currently benefiting from Council Tax Support a discount of £150 on bills. More than 8,000 households in the borough currently benefit from this help
- £320,000 to increase capacity to administer new applications for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
- £500,000 to help adult social care providers, personal assistants and voluntary sector care providers ‘keep caring’ as they provide a front line response to coronavirus.
If using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, Government and Transport for London advice now is to use a facial covering, and wash your hands before and after you travel.
Athough face coverings are unlikely to prevent you from getting the virus, they could help prevent you from giving it to others.
Face coverings are particularly important where two metre social distancing is hard to maintain.
Public Health England have published advice on how to wear and make a cloth face covering.
|
The Gerpins Lane reuse and recycling centre is now open.
The site, which is managed by the East London Waste Authority, will be available for residents to visit between 7.30am and 5.45pm Monday to Sunday.
Trade waste will NOT be accepted, and no large vans or trailers are allowed at this time.
The reuse and recycling centre in Frizlands Lane in Dagenham can also be used by Havering residents.
|
It's Foster Care Fortnight.
Havering Council is looking for people from all backgrounds to join our community of foster carers.
You can find out more at a virtual coffee morning this Friday,15 May, at 11am or at a Facebook Live event on Friday May 22 at 10.30am when a foster carer and child talk about their experiences.
Email fostering@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434574 to book your place.
|
Across Havering there is a wide range of support available to anyone affected by COVID-19.
Befriending line - The Tapestry befriending phone line, 01708 796611, is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and weekends, 10am to 4pm.
Havering Volunteer Centre – can assist with emergency supplies, medication delivery and collection, and even dog walking. Please call them on 01708 922214.
|
Fairkytes Live is running a 'battle of the bands at home’, encouraging families and households to form bands and create music videos.
You can play real instruments or make your own.
Perhaps you’ve already got a household filled with musicians and instruments, or maybe you need to create your own from household items like pots and pans, old boxes or even a comb and paper.
The closing date is Friday 22 May.
For information and entry criteria email arts@havering.gov.uk.
|
 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.
The Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), Havering Mind, and Havering Council are working together to offer a crisis counselling and bereavement support service.
The service is specifically for anyone over 18 years of age who has suffered a bereavement of a family member, friend or work colleague and is living in Havering.
To access this service email help@haveringmind.org.uk or call 01708 457040, any day of the week.
After a short assessment, and if it’s right for you, Havering Mind will refer you to the counselling service which is being provided by ACC. ACC aim to allocate you with a counsellor within 7 days.
|
Testing for COVID-19 is now available for all those who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined on the Government website.
The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.
The test is an ‘antigen test’. It tests if you currently have coronavirus.
The test to tell if you’ve ever had coronavirus (‘antibody test’) is not available yet.
|
Maggie Walker from Havering Carer's Hub writes:
We have during these unprecedented times had to change the way we support you to protect yourselves and our dedicated team.
We want you to know that we are still here for you but will be working in a different way.
Due to social distancing we are unable to offer you face-to-face contact, home visits or any group gatherings until further notice. Instead our team will continue to work hard to contact each carer by telephone or email and be available to offer much needed emotional support as well as provide advice information and signposting where appropriate.
We will be exploring social media options as a way of hosting our support groups to enable us to continue to follow government guidelines relating to social distancing.
Should any carer be interested in getting involved with facilitating or hosting a group please speak to one of our team. More knowledge and experience is always welcome. Call 01708 961111 or email info@haveringcarershub.org.uk.
|
It’s important to remember that the NHS remains open for business, including for childhood illnesses and injuries.
NHS staff have worked hard to put in place measures that enable you and your family to access care safely.
As a parent or carer, when your child is ill or injured it can be difficult to decide if, or when, to call your child’s GP, use NHS 111, dial 999 or go to A&E.
The NHS has produced guidance for parents and carers that will help you to recognise different signs and symptoms, and to know what action to take in the event of your child displaying them.
|
|
