Residents' update: keeping you informed

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The latest information and guidance to support you and our communities

Numbers up, funding to support people self isolating

Yesterday’s latest Covid figures showed that Coronavirus is still very much with us and was a timely reminder of the importance of doing everything we can to minimise the spread of the virus.

STay safe

Over the past seven days, Teignbridge had the 13th highest number of cases in the country per 100,000 (622.8), with figures nationally totalling 46,000 - the highest in a month - and 199 deaths recorded. And some of the country’s highest infection rates are in Devon.

As a result there is an increasing number of people required to self-isolate which causes real problems for many, especially if they are really unwell, live alone or have responsibilities outside the home.

Devon County Council is making small to medium-size grants available to local voluntary and community groups who can give practical, social or emotional support, so that people can self-isolate properly and not potentially pass the virus onto others.

Not-for-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise sector groups, town and parish councils, charities, small groups, or a combination of any of them, can apply for the funding via Devon’s website.

vaccinations

We can all play our part by making sure we get fully vaccinated and for those over 40, getting a booster jab when invited.  Regular testing will also stop the spread.


Vaccination programme expanded

The Government this week accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to expand the COVID booster vaccine programme to people aged 40 and over from Monday (22 Novembe)r and to offer a second dose of a vaccine to all young people aged 16 to 17 from 12 weeks after their first dose.

Anyone in this age group who has tested positive for COVID should be given their second vaccine dose 12 weeks or more after their first vaccination or 12 weeks after a positive COVID test result – whichever is later.


Boost your immunity this winter.  It's not too late to get your flu vaccine if you're pregnant.

Pregnant women urged to have flu jab

Pregnant women in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to have the flu vaccine now to protect themselves and their unborn baby from the deadly illness.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that there could be a significant flu surge this winter coinciding with continuing or rising COVID-19 cases.

Clara Southby, Interim Maternity Matron for Community and Outpatients, at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “Having flu when pregnant can put you and your baby at a greater risk of severe complications, so we would encourage anyone who is pregnant to have the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible.

“You can have the jab when you come to the Maternity Department for your scan or clinic appointment. Alternatively, you can book an appointment via your pharmacy or your GP.”


Together for Devon Outreach COVID Vaccination Fund

A new drive is underway to encourage greater uptake of the COVID vaccine amongst our most vulnerable communities.

Voluntary and community organisations can now apply for a grant to run innovative engagement activities to support uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination in groups where uptake of the vaccine has been lower than in others.

The Outreach COVID Vaccination Fund is to help voluntary and community organisations  run engagement activities with specific groups and communities where the uptake of the vaccination is lower, to understand what the barriers are, how we can work with people to address them and how we can increase the vaccination uptake.

It will also help improve vaccine knowledge, coverage and COVID safety amongst specific Devon communities, for example by running a number of vaccination workshops.


Have your work hours dropped?  Has your seasonal work ended? Are you struggling to make ends meet?

Do you need help with essential bills? 

Our new Household Support Fund went live on Monday with the aim of helping local residents struggling to make ends meet.

The fund is designed to help households in most need with food, energy and water bills as well as other essential living costs such as clothing, bedding, fridges, freezers or cookers.

If you are over 16, live in Teignbridge and struggling financially you can apply online on our website.

Anyone unable to apply online can call Citizens Advice Teignbridge on its dedicated Household Support Fund number (01626 326123) or can call our Customer Support Team on 01626 361101 (Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5pm. Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm).                 


Newton Abbot image

20mph consultation closes next week 

Time is running out for people to give their views on a 20 miles-per-hour speed limit in Newton Abbot with consultation set to close on Thursday 25 November.

Residents, commuters and visitors to Newton Abbot can give their views via the online consultation survey on the Newton Abbot 20 website. An interactive map enables respondents to leave their suggestions regarding the extents and boundaries of the speed scheme.

Paper copies of the consultation are available at Newton’s Place and in Newton Abbot Library.


Do you look after someone who could not manage without your hep?  Call 01392 307720 to find support available to you

Are you an unpaid carer?

The number of unpaid carers – someone who gives their time to support a family member, friend or neighbour – is on the increase with an estimated 130,000 in Devon.

Whether due to illness, frailty, disability, COVID or after discharge from hospital, there are increasing numbers of people who need care and could not manage without the support of their carer. 

A new campaign is underway to encourage unpaid carers to register with Devon Carers for support – for example for a listening ear or advice on finances, emergency planning or just to find out how they might be helped..

Four groups of carers in particular appear not to access support at the same rate as others:  carers from ethnic minority communities, male carers, LGBT+ and working age carers

Early identification and support for unpaid carers not only improves the lives of the carer and the person they look after, but it can also help avoid unsustainable pressure on public services and finances.

So if you look after someone who could not manage without your help, get in touch with Devon Carers today to register for support and advice.


Have your say on our local plan consultation proposals

The extended 10 week consultation went live on Monday, giving you the opportunity to comment on possible sites for wind turbines as well as on the approach to be taken on solar PV development.  You can also have your say on small sites for residential development and a potential site for gypsy and travellers’ pitches.

More information including the online survey are online and paper copies can also be viewed at our Forde House offices, local libraries and Town and Parish Council offices.  People can also also e-mail their comments or if they don’t have internet access can write to the Council.


Chudleigh Shared Equity booklet cover

Needing help with a deposit for a home in Chudleigh?

It’s not too late for people with a connection to the parish of Chudleigh to benefit from the Shared Equity Scheme launched earlier this year in partnership with Westward Housing Group.

The Scheme is designed to help get people on the housing ladder by providing a loan to people with a connection to the area for a deposit to purchase a home in Chudleigh.

The funding is only available to people who would be unable to buy without it and would cover up to 25% of the purchase price, subject to a maximum home price of £230,000 for up to two bedrooms or up to £250,000 for three bedrooms or more.

Funding for the shared equity scheme is a result of the planning agreements for the recent Rivendell and Old Chapel developments which require affordable housing lost to be replaced within the Chudleigh area in a way that benefits local people.


ACT counter terrorism

We all have a part to play in combatting terrorism

Following the incident in Liverpool on Sunday, the UK National Threat Level was raised by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) from SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely, to SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely.

Defeating terrorism requires a collective community effort, where the police and public come together to help keep the country safe.   

The advice to us all therefore is to stay alert and report anything that doesn’t look right to gov.uk/ACT. Any piece of information could be important and it is better to be safe and report.  In an emergency always call 999.

The Devon and Torbay Prevent Partnership provides updates and guidance on the current risks from terrorism, extremism and radicalisation. It also includes signposting to workforce development opportunities and information to support colleagues in identifying the signs of radicalisation and taking action to report concerns.


Create to connect bokklet cover

Tackling isolation

As more attention is focused on how to overcome isolation, City Arts website has come up with a clever idea - a free mindful art activity booklet.

It details art activities that you can do at home, on your own or in a group and it is pitched at people who don’t have much art experience or who would like to push their skills further.

Twelve different artists contributed to the book. which includes creative activities focused on mindfulness, painting, drawing, making, writing and storytelling.


Celebrating Gurpurab?  Let fresh air in if you meet indoors

Boost your immunity this winter

Latest Government Coronavirus guidance

Vaccination guide for adults

Booster vaccination guide for those aged 40 and over

How to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Testing for coronavirus

Working safely during Covid

Coronavirus cases


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