Edition 7 - 23 March 2020

Message from the Leader of City Council, Cllr Jeremy Nettle We have seen a tremendous coming together in the Salisbury Community street by street during this crisis. As a Community we need to think how we capture these amazing stories and actions of kindness. There are so many good stories of people delivering prescriptions, food and advice: we would love to hear your own stories, perhaps initially to the Co-ordinator of your own local support scheme.

We are aware of areas of concern where need seems to have increased, such as those struggling with anxiety and incidence of domestic violence. We are especially aware of the isolation of family carers, people coping alone with looking after loved ones, particularly perhaps those living with dementia. And of course there is the grief of those who have lost family or friends to this dreadful disease

But we are also aware of people responding with grace, creativeness and kindness. If there was ever a need to ‘phone a friend’ or a video chat over a virtual coffee it is now. Social distancing and self isolation does not mean you can’t talk to anyone. As the 1990s BT advert featuring the late Bob Hoskins said, ‘it’s good to talk’.

And on behalf of the City Council I would personally like to say thank you for all the hard work that is being done by Anne, Helen, and Liz in preparing this update. There is a huge amount of research and coordination in preparing this up-to-date information about services and facilities to help us all cope with the dangers of the coronavirus, and the self-isolation so many local residents are confined to in order to keep safe during the lock-down. Compassionate Connectors, the Salisbury City Council support scheme working to support peo- ple who are self isolating can be reached at https://www.wessexcommunityaction.org.uk/covid- 19-vcse-resource-hub/ Message from Marc, our Community Engagement Manager

It was brilliant to talk with a number of people providing local support in a Zoom conference call last Monday. It would be great to have some more of you join us on the next one (Amber from Wessex Community Action will send an invite around soon). These are very much an opportunity to share your success stories and any issues you may have on the ground that we can problem solve together. One of the topics raised is how we keep the wonderful community spirit and genuine human kindness that has been shown by so many, beyond the virus crisis. If you are able to attend the next virtual Zoom conference it would be great to hear your thoughts on this. Let me know if you want to join in or send in a note! Very best wishes, Marc Read T. 01722 434557 |M. 07825732541| www..gov.uk

This local update was put together by Liz Batten, Helen Dowse and Anne Trevett of Safer and Supportive Salisbury.

Please pass on to anyone who may find it useful and send items for inclusion to [email protected]

1 Local pharmacy information thank you very much indeed Helen and Katy for this brilliant information

 The Pharmacy at Harcourt is still open as usual (access around the left of the building)  The usual Harcourt surgery is now the Covid Hub and patients cannot drop anything off here due to infection control. The temporary surgery for Harcourt patients is Bemerton Heath so patients need to drop off prescription requests there or use their online services accounts. If you are a patient at Harcourt, please call to see if they have arrangements in place for you. See below for a note of special arrangements for patients of the Harcourt Surgery.  Attached is a list of the current opening times (the updated and correct hours are in red). It is unlikely that any pharmacy will take on any new patients for deliveries.  Online pharmacies such as Pharmacy 2U/Echo will all deliver free of charge but orders need to be placed well in advance due to waiting time for delivery etc.  Tanday at SMP has a small queue but much shorter than it was: the initial rush has definitely died down and they have caught up with the prescriptions coming through.  Setting up an Online repeat Prescription and booking appointment service at Salisbury Medical Practice: this is something the practice is strongly encouraging, If you have had a face to face appointment in the last year we are registering you automatically to order prescriptions and book appointments and will send a letter with username and password. If any patients who have been seen in the last year have not yet had a letter from us, they are welcome to email the surgery or give us a call.

Help for Harnham Patients of Harcourt Medical Centre

Harcourt Medical Centre (not the Pharmacy) has moved temporarily to Bemerton Heath Sur- gery. So you cannot leave prescription requests for signing at the normal Harcourt building: it's a long haul to Bemerton Heath from Harnham by bus or walking! If you have a problem getting there, you can put prescriptions, in a sealed envelope addressed to the surgery, through the Parish Office door in the Parish Hall in Lower Street, Harnham, SP2 8EY. They will be collected on Mon, Wed and Fri at 2 pm, and delivered to Bemerton Heath surgery by volunteers. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you know it might affect. This service is being organised by Harnham Neighbourhood Association and Harnham Community Network (contact: Greg Condliffe 01722 331877 or Charles Woodd, 07962 213494)

Guidance for volunteers collecting prescriptions

If you are a volunteer collecting prescriptions, please make sure you have:  The correct full name of the patient – sometimes people are known by their second name or a short form of their name e.g. Tom instead of Thomas or Sue instead of Susan.  Their full address including house number/name and post code

 It is sometimes helpful to have a letter of authority from the patient giving you permission to collect prescriptions on their behalf. You would then have to show some sort of picture ID e.g. driving licence.

Local Dental Support

Dental practices in the city all have a recorded message saying they are closed until further notice. All appointments up to 4 May have been cancelled and patients informed. They then offer an option to stay on the line and be transferred to an on call dentist to be triaged and recommend next steps.

2 Hearing aid batteries

Action on Hearing Loss says that “Our hearing aid maintenance drop in clinics are suspended for the time being due to the corona virus but I can still post hearing aid batteries to you if you are a Salisbury hospital audiology patient. This is a free service. At this time I’m not posting out tubing but I can help you with information on how to get the best from your hearing aids including daily cleaning and information on hearing loss. Please don’t hesitate to contact me”. Gill Drayson telephone 01722 580014 mobile 07570 670 643 or e mail [email protected]

Revised Guidance on shielding extremely vulnerable people

This guidance has been issued by HM Government as Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. Published 21 March 2020 Last updated 17 April 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable- persons-from-covid-19/

Making a living well plan

The Swan Advocacy Living Well Advocacy Service is still open supporting people living in Wiltshire. Currently we are not able to visit people due to the government restrictions, but we are able to offer help in a number of different ways:

We can provide a ‘check in’ and support service to any of our existing clients by phone. We can help anyone to draw up their Living Well Plan by phone or via Skype or Zoom. We can update anyone’s current Living Well Plan and send out more copies as needed. We can provide anyone with a Living Well Plan template to write their own plan. Anyone can download a Living Well Plan template from our website https://swanadvocacy.org.uk/living-well-advocacy-service/ We will support with signposting and information to other services if people are experiencing any difficulties. We can also provide advocacy support over the phone or via email. We are happy to receive new referrals for anyone wanting any of the above

Please Contact: Hannah Bush on 07594 083308 Email: [email protected] Website: www.swanadvocacy.org.uk

3 The NHS One You Service It’s important we do what we can to look after ourselves during this time. Alcohol can affect your mental state and weaken your immune system. The NHS’s One You Service has a free app to help you to keep to sensible drinking limits, keep active, eat healthily and support your mental wellbeing. Visit the One You website here https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/ Packs to keep you and your family active

Wiltshire Council have created a range of activity packs to support you while you’re staying at home. The packs are suitable for everyone but have been designed with specific audiences in mind – adults, older people, those with a disability, young people, and individuals who previously took part in our swimming and gymnastics sessions. Each pack contains tailored ideas for people to get active, be creative, stay in contact and keep focussed, all from the comfort of your own home. They are part of the Council’s Active Communities online resources which covers a variety of topics, including the various library services available online – rhyme times, story times, e-books/magazines, resources on getting creative through mediums like song, dance, art and literature and opportunities to explore Wiltshire’s history. You can find them here: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities Public Health England’s 'Looking Out For Each Other' Campaign

Throughout this ongoing situation we have seen communities up and down Wiltshire support one another. Public Health England has launched some resources to support the good work already happening in Wiltshire. The campaign highlights simple messages to ensure that people keep in touch with each other and help pick up food or medicines for anyone who is unable to do so. You can find the information and resources here: https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/ Looking-Out-For-Each-Other/

On-line mental and physical wellbeing sessions on Zoom

Monday 10 -10.30 Laughter Yoga - introduce positivity and energy to your day 11 - 11.30 Yoga from the chair for people with mobility problems Tuesday 9.15 -10.30 Dru Yoga with a pause of 10 minutes for a drink of water and loo break at 9.50 A gentle yoga bringing you into the present, promoting heart and compassion Wednesday 9.00 - 9.45 Breathing techniques to help you regulate your breath and bring you energy 10 - 10.30 Meditation: may include visualisation, chakra work and meditation proven technique from many traditions Thursday 8.30 - 9.00 Laugher Yoga 9.30 - 10.00 Yoga from the chair Friday 11.00-12.30 Dru Yoga with a pause of 10 minutes for a drink of water and loo break at 11.40 Saturday 10.00-10.45 Breathing techniques 11.00 - 11.30 Meditation Sunday 4.00-5.00 pm Sharing session - may include breath work, Emotional Freedom Technique, energetic work, or whatever you need for the end of the week or the beginning of the next. Please send me what you need most of, for the week ahead. If you are interested please send me a text (07804041005) or email [email protected] for the meeting ID and the password to join meetings. All are offered free of charge, but if you benefit from the sessions donations to my PayPal account, however small, will be welcome. 4 Offers for new customers from Broadband providers

Other than BT Basic + broadband, which is for people on eligible benefits, the cheapest standard broadband offers for new customers below are from the Which.co.uk website. During the crisis, there may be limited availability for engineers to visit individuals to install hardware.

Company Details Contract Monthly cost Contact BT Basic + Basic broadband & calls Only for £10.07 https://btplc.com/ Broadband those on inclusion/ & follow specific links benefits inPlusNet Unlimited Broadband 12 month £17.99 Tel: 0808 1685438 www.plus.net Post Office Unlimited Broadband 12 month £18.00 www.postoffice.co.uk Now Broadband Unlimited Broadband & 12 month £18.00 www.nowtv.com free calls Talktalk Fast Broadband 18 month £19.95 www.talktalk.co.uk

Supporting people with hardware

A new scheme to get businesses to donate devices and data to enable people to get online at home is being supported by the Government through the Department of Culture Media and Sport. They are being distributed through the Online Centres Network. All libraries are part of this network and the Wiltshire Library service can apply to distribute hardware via the website:

Some Practical Advice on getting online and using technology

 Age UK has practical ideas on getting online and using technology. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/technology-internet/  Citizensonline provide a useful list of demos & instructions on using online communication, technology and resources. https://www.citizensonline.org.uk/coronavirus-support- resources/  BT’s skills for tomorrow also provide short, simple courses on how to get online: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/  O2 have now allowed access to many important websites without using your data allowance. Full list of sites included here https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19#what-support- services-are-free-to-access-on-o2  EE, Vodafone, and 3 also are providing free access to NHS websites: https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/mobile-customers-free-access-to-nhs-online- services/ https://ee.co.uk/coronavirus http://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected  Support for students with little internet access using Chromebooks or G-suite https:// www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/offline-access-covid19/  Tips for saving online produced via specific programs, such as Blackboard, Pebblepad, Encore: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/apse/digital/offline

Potential for internet access in libraries once restrictions are loosened

Wiltshire Library staff members report that once the government loosen the essential movement only restrictions, there might be the possibility of opening certain libraries for use by people who do not have their own internet access or devices. Social distancing procedures would need to be approved by Public & Occupational Health, along with stringent ongoing cleaning procedures in place.

5 Supermarket Arrangements Information attached as a pdf

Concern about social media danger One area of concern that has emerged is the fact that some people who are lonely and isolated are putting their details on social media. Our Older People’s and Carers Champions are concerned at the risks of this. There are many groups on the internet and in Social Media offering help and support: Facebook, Nextdoor.co.uk etc. If you join these groups, either to offer your help or to seek help, please do not post your full postal address and contact details. Always use the Private Messaging service and follow the guidelines from the Admins of the group. Whilst most people are genuinely wanting to help and support there are a number who are exploiting the vulnerable and isolated. Please take care and warn others

We are really sorry to report a local burglary last Saturday at a property in Australian Avenue when the residents were out for their daily exercise. The police reported that offender gained entry by climbing up a drainpipe and entering through a rear upstairs window. Jewellery and computers were stolen, as well as a car, which was parked outside the address. The stolen vehicle was later recovered on the Hampshire/Surrey border. The message is to lock up safely when leaving your house. Reporting Breaches of social distancing advice

Wiltshire Police are getting a high number or calls from the public reporting breaches of the social distancing advice. They have therefore setup an online reporting page, https:// www.wiltshire.police.uk/article/5951/Coronavirus-report-your-concerns

6 Age UK Wiltshire now delivering hot meals in Salisbury

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/our-services/meal-delivery-service/# This service started this week, with delivery to an area from Durrington in the north to Downton in the South and quite widely to east and west. To order speak to the Information & Advice team in the first instance on 0808 196 2424 who can have a chat and pass details onto the dedicated team. Alternatively you can email [email protected]. At that time they will ask about dietary re- quirements, any impairment needs e.g. In a wheelchair, hard of hearing, visual impairment. There is a choice of 3 week rolling menus – Main course hot meal and dessert for £6.50. All delivered at lunch time. Payment is made monthly either by the person or their family member by Direct Debit, Bank Transfer or over the phone with a credit or debit card. No cash or payment is given to the person delivering. The delivery person can feed back to the relative or to Age UK if they think there might be any problems with the service user.

Unwanted food parcels from the Government if you are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

If you have received a food parcel from the Government that you do not want, please either log into the website – details on your letter - or phone the number on the letter to cancel further deliveries. It has come to our attention that people are leaving notes pinned to their doors saying “No more food parcels” which immediately informs anyone walking past that they are extremely vulnerable.

Age UK phone calls for lonely older people

Are you or someone you know self-isolating and not having regular social contact? Age UK are offering ‘reassurance’ social telephone calls to older people from one of their friendly volunteers for a temporary period. If you would like to receive a call or you know someone who would benefit, please get in touch with them. Telephone: 0808 196 2424 Email: [email protected] Walking a dog for a friend or Help with water bills here: neighbour? Some helpful

http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/tap advice and guidance is attached

Please avoid bonfires whilst restrictions are in place

In line with advice from and the National Allotments Association, Salisbury City Council is urging residents to avoid having bonfires whilst the Coronavirus controls are in place. A lot of people at home are vulnerable and any one of your neighbours might have respiratory issues or even be fighting the Coronavirus itself. You can stockpile green waste, create a compost area or simply let the job wait until household recycling centres re-open. Never burn garden waste that is still green or recently cut, and never burn any other household waste.

7 Acre briefing for those running community centres

Local community centres are among the many organisations experiencing difficulties as a result of the lockdown. There is advice online from ACRE, Action for Communities in Rural England. You can find it here https://acre.org.uk/rural-issues/coronavirus-rural-halls-and-small-charities

Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

The latest advice is available on line here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid- 19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing

Salisbury scarecrow competition to help raise our spirits

Residents of Salisbury and surrounding parishes are being offered the fun challenge of using their imaginations to create a colourful character as part of the Salisbury Scarecrow Challenge. Participants are encouraged to theme their Scarecrow as a key worker to celebrate the tremendous work that is being done up and down the country during this pandemic. This means that all scarecrow creations need to be dressed as one of the essential workers - examples include doctors, nurses, police officers, delivery drivers, supermarket staff and care workers.

The competition will be in three age groups with prizes awarded to the best three in each group – under 10’s, under 16’s and adults.

Your scarecrow should be named and displayed where people can see it – your driveway, garden or even looking out of your window! The City Council hopes that this will add a sense of fun to Salisbury over this difficult time and can be a great way to keep the family busy whilst safely at home.

To apply please take a picture of your creation and send it with the heading Scarecrow Challenge to [email protected] with details of who created it including names, ages, location and for the under 10’s or under 16’s, the school to which you go.

Please follow social distancing advice at all times and when displaying your scarecrow ensure it does not create an obstruction.

Be careful if you are using natural products: adult supervision is recommended if applicable.

Closing date for entries Sunday 10 May, winners announced by Fri- day 15 May.

For more information, click here: https:// www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk/s/the-scarecrow-challenge

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