Supporting our communities
Making sure our communities are kept up to date with all the relevant Government guidance and support available to them throughout the coronavirus crisis is crucial. Much of this work has been centred around the promotion of the COVID-19 Manchester Community Response hub helpline, making sure the promotional materials are available in alternative formats and languages.
The M-Four Studio and M-Four Translations teams have been providing a fantastic service throughout the crisis. Key documents have been translated into 21 languages, which have then been adapted into graphics by the M4 Studio team for use on social media and for sharing with community groups.
This huge collaborative effort has been absolutely pivotal in ensuring that as many people as possible know about the helpline and the support it affords vulnerable residents. Without this work, supporting our communities, keeping them informed, and ultimately helping to save lives would have been a much greater task, and we are all grateful for the hard work that they continue to do.
Health and wellbeing pack
Over the past few weeks we have shared lots of resources and tips to help you look after your health and wellbeing during this challenging time.
The continuation of the current lockdown and strict social-distancing measures will no doubt be placing an increased strain on many colleagues, but don’t forget that help is available if you need it.
That’s why HR colleagues have put together the COVID-19: Health and Wellbeing Pack, covering themes such as mental health support and top tips for physical wellbeing, as well as many links to useful resources you can access from home.
How are you working? What’s your new normal?
Since our working world got turned upside down, what's your working life been like? We really want to hear your stories about the things you have realised, learned or experienced.
As everything is by email now, are you talking more to colleagues than you did before? What are you, your colleagues, team or service doing so well now that you want it to continue long after this is over?
When the lockdown starts to ease, how we worked and what we learned during lockdown will influence what our working life will be like in the future. We’re hoping that when we do return, our new normal will involve the same level of innovation, connectivity and inspiration that you and our colleagues have shown throughout.
Why not share some of that learning with us now? Your stories help to inspire others, make us smile, and show that we are all in it together. Email internalcomms@manchester.gov.uk with your videos, photographs, examples of good practice, work-from-home antics, and celebration stories of those out there keeping things moving.
GP appointments and NHS campaign
While everyone is being told to stay at home, it can be hard to know what to do if you're unwell. It's still important to get medical help if you need it, and if you're advised to go to hospital, it's important to go. Keep going to any appointments you have, unless you're told not to.
If you have been advised to stay at home, and need advice on how to manage your health there, you can easily find help, and access NHS services online. The Health at Home webpage gives information on how to:
- Contact your GP
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Manage long-term conditions
- Maintain your mental and physical wellbeing.
This information can be accessed at: nhs.uk/health-at-home
Video message to children and young people
The current situation we find ourselves in is an anxious time for us all, especially young people. Many will naturally be feeling confused, and isolated from their friends, but we’re very proud that most young people have been staying home to keep their communities safe and protect the NHS.
That’s why the Children and Families directorate is proposing to create a short video featuring inspirational, personal and heartfelt messages from Children’s Services staff to our children and young people. What message or advice do you have to young people at this time, to help them feel better?
Please film a short message, wherever you like (in your garden, your home, while you’re out on your daily exercise etc), and send it to l.pearson@manchester.gov.uk if you want it to be included in a video that will be sent to young people via schools and social media.
Please have a look at the guidance note here for more information and keep the following in mind when putting your video together:
- Keep it short – one minute or less
- Film in portrait somewhere with little background noise (or using the microphone on your headphones)
- Speak loudly and clearly
- Keep things positive and upbeat
- Be inclusive
- Please use your own words, and keep things as informal and friendly as possible. Imagine you’re talking directly to a young person
- Understand that by sending your clip, your film will be used online.
Waste and recycling update
Some tips and recycling centres in Manchester will reopen on Saturday 2 May following a decision by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which manages them.
The GMCA has decided the following tips will be opened with reduced services:
Full details of dates and opening times will be announced by the GMCA.
Please be aware of the following:
- Only general waste in black bags will be accepted
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Social-distancing guidelines will be implemented, meaning there will be a limit to the number of cars in tips at one time
There will be a number-plate system in place to spread visits over certain days. Find out more from Recycle for Greater Manchester.
Keep up to date with the latest information and news
We want to ensure you are informed and supported during this uncertain time. We aim to send regular communications to you, whether you are working from home or self-isolating.
Managers are to ensure they can contact all offline staff, and those who are absent, to check they have access to all the information and support they need.
Staff are strongly advised to:
Staff without intranet access can find the FAQs on a secure extra-net and the intranet.
Remember, Public Health England and the NHS are the primary sources for coronavirus news and update.
 If you have questions or concerns
In the first instance, you should speak to your line manager directly, as they are more familiar with your role and how your service is responding to this situation. If your manager is absent, please speak to another senior officer in your team or service.
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a 24/7 support service for all employees, as well as their partner and children living in the same household. The EAP offers high-quality support with immediate access to counselling, in addition to financial, legal, family and medical advice:
- Visit www.healthassuredeap.co.uk (username MCC, password EAP)
- Use the health e-Hub in your app store (username MCC, password EAP)
- A free confidential phone service is available 24/7. Call 0800 030 5182.
Communications feedback
If you have any ideas about improving our communications with you, please let us know.
Our aim is to ensure you have the important information you need, but we also recognise that some light-hearted content may help during this unusual time. This can be videos, photographs, work-from-home antics, and recognition stories of those out there keeping things moving.
Share with us your stories and let us know what you would like to read or see to help you work well.
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