|
Friday 25 December 2020 (Update #158)
 As cases of COVID-19 infection continue to increase rapidly in Havering and after more than nine months of restrictions it may be difficult for many people to really enjoy Christmas this year.
I don't think any of us could have truly predicted the overwhelming impact COVID-19 would have on our lives, when the first news reports of this new virus emerged at the beginning of the year.
I would like to thank all of you for doing your bit to help us get through this most difficult of years. To the businesses that have had to contend with lockdown, closures and restrictions, to the carers and health workers who have worked tirelesly through one of the most challenging years many of us have ever experienced, to the school staff who have had to deal with year bubbles and home learning, to everyone who has had to manage juggling home working and childcare, you all have my eternal gratitude.
We will get over this pandemic. Thousands of local people have already received the first of their COVID-19 vaccinations and this will ultimately reduce the rate of the infection in our borough.
I know it's tough after nine months but please keep following the Government's advice: wash your hands, wear a face covering whenever it is required or appropriate, and keep your space from people who don't live with you. If you need a test - whether you have symptoms of coronavirus or not - then you can get one with our testing centres open every day over the festive holidays. Full details are on our website.
Have a good, safe, and very happy Christmas!
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Due to the Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions that apply in Havering changes have had to be made to a number of Council services.
Some services are also reduced due to the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
For a full list of service alterations see our website.
|
If you, or someone you know, have concerns around care, urgent issues around health and wellbeing or lack of access to supplies including food and medicine please call our free to use helpline:
0800 368 5201
This line will be open for emergency calls throughout the Christmas and New Year period at these times:
Today (Christmas Day) 10am to 1pm
Boxing Day 10am to 4pm
Sunday 27 December 10am to 4pm
Bank Holiday Monday 28 December 10am to 4pm
Tuesday 29 December 10am to 4pm
Wednesday 30 December 9am to 5pm
New Year's Eve 9am to 5pm
New Year's Day 10am to 4pm
Saturday 2 January 10am to 4pm
Sunday 3 January 10am to 4pm
You can also email us if you, or someone you know, needs help.
|
COVID-19 vaccines are now being given to health and care workers, and the most elderly and vulnerable residents in Havering.
Please be patient and do not contact your GP or a hospital to seek a vaccine. The NHS will contact you.
One of the first people in Havering to have the vaccination was Yvonne Fothergill from Ashbrook Nursing Home in Collier Row. She has been a carer for eight years. After revceiving her first dose of the vaccine she said: “We need normality and hopefully the vaccination will give us this. I am not getting any younger, I want to get back to travelling again as soon as I can and see places I haven’t seen before.”
|
Priority in receiving vaccinations is being given to health and care workers so Lee Munn, a maintenance worker at the Ebury Court Care Home, Romford was also near the front of the queue.
“I’ve had no doubts about having the jab. We all want things to go back to normal and the vaccine is the only way to go, to help get us there.”
Residents who use Hornchurch library will see some changes to the way the library works as the library is now home to our health partners’ local COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The main floor of the library will be used as a vaccination centre and residents will be invited to attend to get their jab.
Services for library users – for ‘click and collect’ pre-booked pick-ups or drop-offs, and pre-booked computer access – will be available on the first floor of the building. Please continue to use the main entrance to the building. The opening hours for Hornchurch library are published on our website.
|
Knowing the right place for medical help over the Christmas holidays can help you get the treatment you need faster.
You can get an appointment with a GP from 8am to 8pm on all of the bank holidays, including today, Christmas Day.
Out of hours GP hub appointments are available every normal weekday evening between 6.30pm and 10pm, and between 8am and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can book these appointments by calling the GP hubs booking hotline on 020 3770 1888 (open from 8am to 8pm) or by calling 111.
If you have any urgent medical need, you can visit NHS 111 online for advice any time.
You can also get help with minor injuries and illnesses at Harold Wood Polyclinic. It is open 8am to 9pm, seven days a week. You can call NHS 111 to book an appointment or walk in and wait to be seen.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
|
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.
If you have an existing mental health condition and an assigned care team or care worker, then it’s important to contact them.
NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.
You can call for 24-hour advice and support - for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for, for help to speak to a mental health professional, or an assessment to help decide on the best course of care.
Alternatively, when life is tough the Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult. Call free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website.
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance. Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit the Shout Crisis Text Line.
The bereavement care charity Cruse is helping families affected by coronavirus. Call free on 0808 808 1677 or visit the Cruse website.
|
Big thanks to Chigwell Construction who donated, and have been helping to deliver, more than 50 Christmas hampers and gift parcels to local young people leaving care, and their children.
The company worked alongside the Council’s Leaving Care Team to bring some unexpected cheer to the 17-to-25-year-olds.
Pictured are members of the Leaving Team as they set out on the delivery run.
|
If you’re visiting our parks over Christmas, remember that if your children use any play equipment, they should not put their mouths on it.
Hand sanitiser should be applied before and after they use any climbing frames and swings.
Please also follow social distancing guidelines and use bins for any masks, gloves or empty sanitiser bottles.
Help us to keep you and others safe while enjoying our parks.
|
Our local police remind us this Christmas to not leave rubbish outside the front of our homes where the packaging of expensive gifts can be easily seen by passers-by.
Don't put rubbish out until the day of your refuse collection (see dates below), and rip-up boxes and use black bags or orange recycling sacks as appropriate.
If you run out of orange recycling sacks they can be obtained from Havering's main libraries on usual opening days, or you can use any other clear bag.
There will be no Garden or Bulky Waste collections from today, 25 December, and over the holiday period. Collections will resume on Friday 8 January 2021.
|
Well done to Jazzmine Jada George from Havering Youth Council who created this artwork to show why it so important for teenagers and young adults to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Her work was submitted to the Partnership of Young London, which called on young people to share their ideas around social distancing with their peers, amid the increase of COVID-19 amongst school children and young adults, and the feeling that some young people had not connected with Government messaging.
Jazzmine, who did the artwork with a friend, said: “It is so important to follow the guidelines as it protects your family and friends, so please wear your mask and keep safe to do your part to reduce the spread of the virus.”
|
If your child is aged between 3 and 4 years old, they are due to start at an infant or primary school in September 2021.
Applications are open now and will close on Friday,15 January 2021.
If you live in Havering you can apply using our website.
|
The footbridge running between the end of Regarth Avenue and the rear of Bridge Close in Romford will be the subject of a temporary closure over the Christmas period to enable improvement works to take place.
Transport for London (TfL) will be carrying out works to remove the old bridge piers located underneath the A127 Ardleigh Green Bridge this Christmas. This is part of phase 3 of the Ardleigh Green Bridge works. Work will continue until Tuesday 29 December.
During the works, TfL’s plant and equipment will arrive and leave via the railway line to minimise disruption to the local area. However TfL will be implementing a single lane closure on the A127 westbound from 5pm today (Christmas Day) until 1am on Sunday 27 December.
Repairs to a bus stop and resurfacing work in Collier Row Road, Romford will take place between 11 and 26 January.
Carriageway resurfacing work will also be taking place in Brentwood Road at the Drill Roundabout from 11 to 13 January.
This will be followed by the laying of high friction surfacing to the roundabout approaches between 27 and 29 January.
Straight Road in Harold Hill between Gallows Corner junction and Faringdon Avenue will be resurfaced from 13 to 15 January. During these overnight works Straight Road will be closed to southbound traffic.
|
 Thank you for subscribing to our Living in Havering email bulletins.
This is the 158th special edition we have produced since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK. Many thanks to all of you who have commented on articles appearing in these bulletins, or have contributed by sending in articles and pictures, or entering competitions.
I hope you continue to find these bulletins useful. If you do, my Christmas wish would be that you help us spread the word. Share these bulletins by forwarding our emails to your friends and family networks, by perhaps printing them out for those you know who don't have email, or encourging others to sign up to receive them.
Have a very safe and happy Christmas!
Peter Stremes
Editor, Living in Havering
|
