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We would love to see, via social media, the ways in which you are marking this important 75th anniversary while in lockdown: From how you’ve decorated your home, to how you are celebrating with or remembering friends and family.
This will be the first time such a tribute has ever taken place so please encourage others to join in and share their stories, photos and video clips with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging @SWTCouncil #VEDay75.
SWT plans to collate all the photos and video clips to create a documentary which it hopes to share. The film will be saved in the archives so when generations look back, they will see that even through a pandemic the residents of Somerset West and Taunton still managed to mark a poignant day in history.
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Just to remind groups and individuals, the helpline will still be staffed and help is at hand over the bank holiday weekend. |
The four District Councils, the County Council and Somerset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working together to ensure that all adults and children in Somerset are kept safe and healthy throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. A sheet answering some frequently asked questions (FAQ) has been prepared which may be of help for those working in the community.
The first virtual meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will take place on Wednesday 13 May at 6.15pm. Details of this meeting can be found here.
The first virtual meeting of the Planning Committee will take place on Thursday 14 May at 1pm. The agenda can be found here.
Both of these meetings will be live streamed so that members of the public can watch at home. To watch the live stream when the meeting commences please use the link above for the relevant committee.
Members of the public are still able to participate in the meeting by submitting their questions or statement to the Governance Team via governance@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk and this will be read out by an officer at the meeting.
If anyone is making food from home for others, whether delivery or take away, free of charge or for a fee, they should please take the following action to meet their legal obligations, and keep themselves, staff and customers safe:
- Register with the Environmental Health department if you are providing food for others. This is free but a legal requirement, the form should be downloaded from our website, completed and returned ideally by email.
- Read The Food Standards Agency’s website for details of what’s required
- Follow the Governments advice on implementing social distancing, this is available on the Gov.uk website.
Remember you can always call or email us if you would like further advice. If you are preparing meals for others on a regular basis we strongly suggest you do this. We are not here to stop you, rather here to help you do what you can safely. Thank you.
Call: 0300 304 8000 or email: communityprotection@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk
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Unfortunately doorstep traders are exploiting vulnerable tenants and members of the public during the current lockdown. Please be cautious of anyone cold-calling at your home and offering services. Don’t give money or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. Please encourage those you are supporting to do the same, and don’t hesitate to contact the Council if you have an urgent concern. For more security advice click here.
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Spark has created an information pack for volunteer groups, to help them support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have lots of experience of supporting groups and volunteers and most recently, been supporting lots of local COVID-19 support groups, many of whom have shared their ways of working. This valuable insight into what works well, has helped identify the areas in which groups most often need support.
Their Volunteer Pack captures all of this key information in one handy place. It covers a range of useful topics, from recruiting and supporting volunteers to safeguarding and data protection, plus practical tips for activities that are commonly undertaken by volunteers, such as dog walking, buying groceries and collecting prescriptions.
You can download the Spark Volunteer Pack HERE.
All Somerset GP practices are open and accessible to patients through their usual telephone numbers this Friday. Some may work with other practices in providing face-to-face services where this is needed.
Community pharmacies will also be open this Friday. Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help with minor health concerns.
For more details see here.
If you need medical help, the NHS is still there for you. Should you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them either online, by an app or by phone to be assessed.
NHS England South West is emphasising that cancer services are open as part of the wider NHS Open as Usual campaign. It is important patients continue to attend their appointments or seek help for any concerning symptoms.
Find useful advice on how to manage your health and wellbeing on smartphones and other devices. More info here:
If you have a twitter account follow: @NHSEnglandSW
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The NHS is urging people across the South West to continue getting their regular immunisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This applies to children and adults who may otherwise miss their essential, routine vaccinations. GP Practices continue to offer all routine immunisations and in accordance with Government social distancing and infection control guidelines. More info here:
Every Mind Matters is now tailored to support people through social distancing and home isolation. Find guidance, advice and tips on how to maintain your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home or are worried and anxious about the outbreak. For more info: |
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Available from 8am-11pm 7 days a week
Representatives of different faith communities within the Avon and Somerset police area have set up a dedicated phoneline offering 1-2-1 chaplaincy. The Faith Communities Major Emergencies Team was established more than 30 years ago to provide faith-based pastoral and spiritual support to people of all faiths, and none, in times of emergency. The service has been adapted to become a direct dial phoneline for people affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
This faith-based service is especially for anyone facing end of life issues, bereavement or who is anxious about someone in hospital, residential care or isolated at home, but is available to anyone anxious about the effects of COVID-19 on their lives.
For further information please contact: Andy Paget on 07919 401 777 or Adrian Prior-Sankey on 07581 420 420 or email asfcmep090406@gmail.com
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Find free, high quality digital and numeracy courses in The Skills Toolkit.
Digital and numeracy skills are amongst those most sought after by employers, and are useful in everyday life. On this Government website you can choose from a selection of high quality free courses, put together in collaboration with experts. Find a level and time to study that’s right for you.
To learn more and see the range of free courses go to:
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Spark is conducting a survey to find out how voluntary and community organisations are adapting their services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They thank those who have already taken part. If you haven’t yet, please do.
They want to know what's going well, what are the key challenges, and what support you need going forward.
The survey will take around five minutes to complete, and you can do so here.
They will use the findings to help shape their services, and feedback key insights to funders and commissioners. Thank you
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Lucy Betts and Deb Geraghty have joined the CSE. They aim to support people struggling to heat their homes so they enjoy a better quality of life, living in warmer and healthier homes.
Their roles include;
- Identifying how homes can be made more affordable to heat
- Advice on general energy efficiency.
- Assisting with fuel and water debt
- Identifying grants and helping people to apply for them.
- Improving clients’ financial skills and helping identify potential Benefits
- Enabling others to support people or refer them for in-depth support.
Click here to view the leaflet for more information.
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The consultation on the exceptional arrangements being put in place for awarding GCSEs, AS and A levels this summer closed on 29 April. More than 12,500 responses were received. To give students, schools and colleges certainty at the earliest opportunity, Ofqual have prioritised their analysis and decisions on 2 proposals about who should receive a calculated grade. For more information see here.
On Tuesday 12 May at 12 noon PCC Sue Mountstevens is going to put public questions to Chief Constable Andy Marsh Live on Facebook. Please send in your questions about Covid-19 and policing in advance so that they can be discussed live on air. You can watch previous Facebook Lives on their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/AvonandSomersetPCC
PCSO Katherine Williams (Minehead) and PCSO Linda Brooks (Exmoor), will be holding their next Facebook Live Beat Surgery on Thursday 14th May at 2pm. If you have any questions you would like answered, please message them beforehand and they will answer live on the beat surgery discussion.
Somerset Day 365 champions this most beautiful and bountiful of British counties by supporting communities throughout the year. They support events, building up to the weekend nearest to May 11th, Somerset Day, a day chosen in recognition of King Alfred the Great’s routing of the Vikings from his stronghold in the Somerset marshes in May 878. For more about how this year is being celebrated see the Diary Dates section.
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Come back next week to see if we have any new offers available or requests for support.
If you have anything that you would like us to share please get in contact please do get in contact: vcsnewletter@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk
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These are some of the links you may want to bookmark - some organisations also offer the option of subscribing to bulletins or newsletters, so you can stay updated. Where appropriate we will mention additional links and information.
Domestic abuse continues to be a priority for all councils in Somerset. A Covid-19 edition of the Somerset Domestic Abuse Newsletter has useful local and national information to help you identify and support people affected by domestic abuse at this time.
The guidance given here is for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, including children. It’s also for their family, friends and carers. Read more here:
For information on local food businesses still trading and where stated, providing a delivery option, a good place to look is the Creating Connections online directory, created during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another source of local food listing is available on the Somerset 365 – shop Somerset page.
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Wells Cathedral – For more details see here
Join Somerset Libraries for a live Facebook quiz celebrating the people and places of glorious Somerset. For more info see here.
One of Millfield Music’s most popular events, join them at the culmination of the Somerset Day celebrations in a ‘remote gig’ that features performances from a selection of Millfield’s brilliantly-talented contemporary musicians. More details here.
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It’s Somerset Day on 11 May and though it’s not the time for events or gatherings, we can still celebrate our fabulous county together virtually. SCC will be joining the festivities online and asking people to say why they love Somerset using the #SomersetDay and #SomersetProud hashtags on Twitter or Instagram.
You are encouraged to say what you love about Somerset or draw a dragon for #SomersetDay. Go to this link to download Sparky which children can colour in.
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A 2- hour session, including 1/2 hour for an open Q&A with participants. During these unprecedented times, caring for ourselves with kindness and compassion is more important than ever. With the added pressures of home schooling and additional parental responsibilities, paying attention to our bodies and minds as well as our environments is vital for our connections with others. The session will look at the stress response and learn ways to notice and respond in healthy ways that support the regulation of our emotions. Free online course:
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Come and explore the power of mindfulness with freelance practitioner, Kay Morgan. We’ll practice a variety of techniques including mindful breathing and mindful observations, both of which can be very calming, particularly if you have symptoms of anxiety. Register HERE
For information about other courses run by MIND click here.
A short overview of how to look after people's data when running community activities for vulnerable people with volunteers. We'll cover the basics of complying with the law, how to share information safely, and whether you should register with the Information Commissioner's Office. Followed by a Q&A.
Register HERE.
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The Willow Set was started over 30 years ago and has grown into a well-established and respected preschool, offering wrap around care and a holiday club. It is an educational charity and based in the grounds of the Primary School in Stoke St Gregory; a rural village with a diverse and strong community.
The Willow set normally caters for children from 2-13 years old, but is now happily supporting families and older members of the community, in Stoke St Gregory, Ruishton and Henlade.
The Willow Set is working with the school to ensure they can meet the needs of key worker families and those whose children have special needs or are vulnerable. They are also helping families in need and the elderly by providing food parcels.
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As a member of the Fare share Go project, Rachel, the manager, is able to access different foods which she and her small team use to support local people. This includes a weekly hot lunch as well as food parcels, and breakfasts on Saturday.
She received a grant for a new freezer and fridge but all their time is given freely. Although some people give donations the food is offered for free. To help fund the project for as long as it’s needed The Willow Set has now joined the Somerset West Lottery and anyone wanting to support them can choice to buy lottery tickets here – see link:
If you know of someone in these communities who would also benefit from this support please contact Rachel by email: manager@willowset.org.uk
If you have a good news story, especially if you have good practice or ideas to share, please do get in contact: vcsnewletter@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk
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