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Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.
I hope you all had an opportunity to mark VE day – thinking about what others have done in the past to protect us and our families.
“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will meet again."
These words from our Queen are very poignant at this time. As in war time, everyone in our city is going that extra mile and not thinking just of themselves, but others who are less able or not as fortunate as them.
This week I have had the pleasure of meeting with a number of agencies and organisations who are continuing to deliver a wide range of support to those that need it most. We are continually thinking about ways we can improve what we are doing to make the best use of the resources available to us, ensuring we get help to people who need it as quickly as possible, without having to go through bureaucratic processes. It takes a lot for most people to ask for help and we need to make this as easy as possible for them.
Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services (PCVS) has facilitated a number of meetings with agencies and organisations to consider how we can co-ordinate and make available the things people are asking for most help with: food, emotional health and wellbeing and volunteering to name but a few. We also recognise that language and understanding can be a barrier to some people getting help and we are doing lots to try and address this issue which you can read more about below. No one should be prevented getting the help they need when they need it and we will continue to do our best to make sure everyone who needs our help gets it at the right time.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter – some great examples of what the Peterborough Community Resilience Group has achieved.
You can view my latest vlog here.
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 City hub helping hundreds of residents every week
The Peterborough Hub is continuing to support hundreds of people across the city every week - thanks to the hard work of those council officers working in the hub and our voluntary and community sectors, Cross Keys Homes and volunteers, to name but a few.
During April, the hub was contacted a total of 565 times. Last Thursday was the busiest day so far with 37 contacts received in one day. The majority of calls continue to be from people asking for support with sourcing food and medication. More people are also starting to ask for help with home maintenance, such as gardening, and personal care.
Wendi Ogle-Welbourn, executive director for people and communities for Peterborough City Council, said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is working as part of the support hub. We are able to do great work in our communities because of this support which includes our amazing volunteers, providing mental health support, help with shopping and delivery of medication or just a comfort call if people are feeling down.
"If you need help and support at this incredibly difficult time and you don't have friends, family or neighbours who can help, please get in touch with the hub."
The hub is also looking at how it can support families to prepare children for their return to school. Further details will be announced soon.
Reaching the city's diverse communities
Every week there are important messages coming from Government which need sharing with as many people as possible. In Peterborough, this means making key messages available in many different languages. This is no small task, but the council has used innovative ways to do so.
For example, when the Prime Minister delivered the important stay at home message, the council arranged for it to be translated into more than 30 different languages by asking trusted contacts in the community to video record them. They are available to view here.
Other local authorities across the country have also requested permission to use these video translations for their own residents.
The council and Cambridgeshire Constabulary have also worked with city company Service AV to display the translations on its large portable screen in communities where many different languages are spoken. You can watch a video about this here.
Many other translations are also available to view and share on the council's website here which other organisations are being asked to use widely to reach as many people as possible.
Information about the Peterborough Hub in other languages, including how people can get help and support, is available to view here.
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Embracing new technology
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership Boards give people with experience of using adult social care services a say on current and future care. The boards are facilitated by the local Healthwatch. One of the boards is the Carers Partnership Board for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which brings together carers, provider organisations and statutory services. The board normally has a face to face meeting every two months, but when the lockdown started these were suspended.
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It was clear that the carers who are board members welcomed holding a meeting in some way and it was suggested using a videoconferencing facility such as Zoom might work. One member of the board did not have the internet so Healthwatch discussed with them how they could be involved. On the day they were contacted by phone, which was placed next to a laptop on loudspeaker. As a result they were able to hear the meeting and contribute their own views. The first Zoom meeting was held on 5 May and there was agreement that the meeting had gone really well and was productive.
Healthwatch Peterborough and Healthwatch Cambridgeshire are the local independent champions for people who use health and social care services. They can help you with information about how health and social care services have changed during the pandemic and let you know your options.
Call 0330 355 1285 | Text 07520 635176 or visit https://www.healthwatchpeterborough.co.uk/
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Cross Keys Homes reports a soar in digital demand
Cross Keys Homes (CKH) is proactively supporting hundreds of vulnerable tenants through this difficult period. However, there are thousands more of its residents not considered vulnerable who are also looking for a reliable and accessible service. As a result, the housing association has seen a surge in the number of customers choosing to interact with them online. Almost 1,000 CKH residents have registered to manage their accounts online since lockdown began while the organisation has received three times the number of customer enquiries initiated over live chat each month compared to business as usual.
Non-vulnerable residents are being encouraged to choose digital options to manage their accounts, get in touch about simple enquiries or to stay up to date with the current service status. Going digital means no one has to compromise social distancing measures and helps to keep phone lines clear for the most vulnerable customers who need the most intense support. There are a range of ways to get in touch:
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MyCKH - a secure online platform that allows customers to access their account information, make payment, set up a Direct Debit and update about changes to contact details. Visit MyCKH here.
Live Chat – an instant messaging service available on the CKH website Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Customers can talk directly to customer services, repairs and income management operators.
Facebook - CKH is sharing advice and information about its services as well as useful health and wellbeing tips such as recipes and educational activities. Search for ‘crosskeyshomespeterborough’.
Be Kind fund – a simple form on the CKH website allows any resident to get in touch to ask for support as they adjust to the challenges of COVID-19.
www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk/be-kind
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Disability Peterborough supports people with physical disabilities
Disability Peterborough is continuing to support those with physical disabilities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is what they have to say:
“We are still very much open to any enquiries or services required for physically disabled people in the Peterborough area at this difficult time. Our specialist disability benefit advisors are continuing with a full range of services using the same office telephone number but working from home.
"We have also developed a number of other services, including a shopping and delivery service for those who are isolating but not on the ‘shielded’ list, well-being calls for disabled people who are lonely, anxious or just want to chat, as well as fulfilling other bespoke requests from needing continence products to providing wool and delivering jigsaws. No request for help is too big or too small."
For anyone wishing to contact Disability Peterborough, its contact details remain the same:
Cambridgeshire Workplace Chaplaincy helpline
Cambridgeshire Workplace Chaplaincy (CWC) has recognised a need for a helpline - to listen and comfort, for those who are currently finding life difficult. The day to day adjustments that many are having to make due to a stressful job or juggling working from home, coupled with responsibilities at home are very stressful for many of us.
Maintaining and enhancing the emotional and mental health of everyone is critical during these turbulent times. The helpline is for anyone in the workplace who needs help with stress and needs emotional support. We urge all to not be too proud or self-reliant and to seek support and help whenever needed. It's not an admission of weakness.
The CWC helpline is offering emotional support only; a listening ear where they try to help the individual find their own solutions and where this clearly isn't possible, with their permission, refer to relevant organisations. All calls are anonymous.
The service is available during the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday plus an out of hours voicemail if you would like a chaplain to contact you at a later point.
Its multifaith chaplains are a diverse group who are happy to provide support regardless of whether you’re spiritual or religious – their aim is to listen and comfort.
Call 0800 246 5193 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and outside of these hours you can leave a message). For more information, or to contact by email:
Caring together during the coronavirus pandemic
Caring Together provides information and advice, runs services in local communities and campaigns for carers’ rights, so that carers have choices. How they do this at the moment has had to change but their purpose and commitment to carers and the people they look after remains the same.
During this unsettling time, carers and their families need support and they continue to offer a variety of support for carers of all ages and the people they care for. This includes information, advice and guidance, virtual support, a listening ear and telephone support service, emergency planning and paid for homecare.
Hubs work together to deliver urgent medication
Just before 5pm last Wednesday the Countywide Coordination Hub received an 'I need help request' form via the council's website from a lady who urgently required medication for her son that evening.
A hub staff member, Gareth, spoke to the pharmacy to try and arrange a delivery, however the pharmacy refused to deliver the medication that evening as its delivery driver had left for the day.
Determined not to give up and to help the resident, Gareth called the Peterborough Hub which gave him a number for SERVE, a local bikers group which is collecting and delivering prescriptions for people in need.
SERVE immediately arranged for one of its bikers to collect the prescription and delivered it to the lady's home by 5.40pm - within an hour of the form being received!
This is just one example of the hundreds of people who are supported each day by the network of hubs.
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NSPCC newsletter
Peterborough Breastfeeding Support
There are several breastfeeding support options available hosted by qualified peer supporters.
Virtual support groups are held 10am to 11am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
For one to one telephone or message support, text FEED with your name, postcode and preferred option to 60777.
If you have just come out of hospital, you can get dedicated telephone support from a peer supporter at 48 hours and two weeks post discharge.
Parenting newsletter
The Early Help Team at Peterborough City Council has produced three parenting newsletters supporting parents, carers, children and young people during COVID-19.
You can read the latest newsletter here.
Advice issued following rise in puppy sale fraud
People across the eastern region are being warned to be cautious when buying pets online, after police received a number of reports of fraud. Find out more on the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit website.
News from Healthwatch
Healthwatch’s chief executive, Sandie Smith, gives an update on what they have been doing in a new vlog. Sandi urges people to share their health and care experiences since the lockdown.
With so many temporary changes in our area, Sandie says it's more important than ever for people to get in touch and tell Healthwatch how they've been affected.
She also talks about the Healthwatch Information Service and how it can help people navigate the service changes.
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Youth Inspired: Lockdown packs delivery service
Peterborough-based charity Youth Inspired has hand delivered more than 25 packs to young people across the city.
The lockdown packs are for anyone aged 11-18 who have been struggling or feeling lonely or who might just be in need of a pick-me-up.
Laura Almond, Youth Inspired project manager said: “These packs have been made to cheer people up. Lockdown is hard and we wanted to let young people know that we haven’t forgotten about them.”
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The packs included items such as boredom busting toys, arts and crafts, sweets, puzzles and more. They also included contact details for mental health charities and a calendar of free online activities in Peterborough that young people can join.
Nicola, a parent in Paston, said: “We are so grateful to be part of Youth Inspired! Received these lockdown packs today for my boys. Thank you so much Youth Inspired, literally so amazing!"
Packs were delivered by Carl and Helen from Youth Inspired.
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Advice for blind and partially sighted people
Information has been collated to support blind and partially sighted people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidance includes information on topics such as finding local support, eye health, shopping for food and essentials, getting out and about and keeping connected. You can view the guide here.
Family Action adapts its early years support
Family Action is well known for its work with early years families in Peterborough who require support. In recent weeks the group has needed to adapt to continue supporting families, a challenge it has risen to.
Currently Family Action is supporting 180 families and providing childcare to early years children of key workers and vulnerable families as well as co-ordinating daily support for those not able to visit the centre. It was previously operating out of seven settings, however due to the pandemic has moved to one central hub.
Support has ranged from the more practical delivery of food and activity parcels and help with shopping for those who are unable to leave the house, to working with families on issues such as parent and child mental health, escalation of child behaviours in lockdown, home learning and day to day advice on finances and how to live in these difficult times.
The group has a closed Facebook page for pre-school children and their families and everyone is encouraged to share their videos and photos of their activities to inspire others. Family Action also has a free phone familyline where adult family members can get help and advice via phone, text or email. FamilyLine can alo sprovide sessions with befrienders or counsellors.
Some of the comments from people Family Action have supported include: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being their at this difficult time.” “It's really nice what you are doing. My little boy loves to see his preschool teachers on here and I like the fact that you keep putting ideas for us parents to do at home. It's much appreciated!!”. “This really is lifting our spirits, thank you.”
The Family Action team has also devised a fun way for everyone to come together, by launching an unusual way of storytelling people's experiences. Throughout May they are writing a story of their lockdown with someone nominated to write four lines of a story each day – carrying on from where it left off the previous day.
The team looks forward to sharing their story with us all in due course.
Useful government information
There is a lot of useful information to support and guide you through this difficult time. Both local and central government websites are being updated regularly. Below are some links to relevant information from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC):
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