April 2021 Lancashire Resilience Forum Covid-19 One Year On Since the government’s roadmap out of lockdown was announced in February, it’s begun to feel like we are finally on the path back to some kind of normality. The last year has been hard for all of us, as individuals, businesses and families and it’s fair to say there have been some very dark times for many of us. However, it is testament to the dedication, commitment and sheer hard work of everyone in our county that Lancashire can start to look forward to the future with some hope and optimism. We began to feel the effects of the pandemic back in February 2020, which is when the first emergency meeting of the Lancashire Resilience Forum took place. Since then the member organisations have worked alongside each other, delivering all levels of support, advice and services to individuals and communities across Lancashire. The challenge was immense, but our collective response has made a measurable impact across Lancashire at a time when people needed our support the most. From supporting local businesses to continue trading safely, providing mental health support to those struggling, working with victims of domestic abuse, keeping our public spaces and countryside Covid-19 safe, right through to recruiting staff to run county wide Covid-19 test sites, the Lancashire Resilience Forum has and will continue to be here for the people of Lancashire. You can watch our Covid-19: One Year On video here. #LetsDoItForLancashire When the pandemic began, it was clear As a result, in March 2020, a public health campaign called #LetsDoItForLancashire was launched by the Lancashire that consistency was key in getting Resilience Forum, with the objective of connecting all important messages about Covid-19 districts and partners in the county and enable them to share information using the hashtag and branding on to the whole of Lancashire. Even more social media posts, or adapting it for their own area to important was that people receiving reach a more targeted audience. these messages were reassured of their The past 12 months has seen Lancashire work more accuracy and recognised them as a collaboratively than ever before, with partners coming together to ensure local people stay informed and have trustworthy source of information. access to the support and advice they need. In September 2020, as part of the #LetsDoItForLancashire campaign, a mobile advertising van toured the whole of the county over six days. It visited Covid-19 hotspot areas within each district and areas of high footfall within the local communities. The van was used to inform people of local drop-in test centres operating in each district and advise them how to book a Covid test online. The hands, face, space and isolation messages were also displayed. This enabled us to share vital messages with local communities across Lancashire. Helping businesses to become ‘Covid Safe’ Lancaster City Council launched the To qualify for Covid Safe status, business premises or venues needed to undertake a comprehensive Covid-19 risk Lancaster Covid-19 Safe Scheme, assessment, put in place appropriate controls, train staff so awarding businesses who are Covid- they understand Covid-19 control measures, and comply with government and industry guidance to trade safely. 19-compliant. The Lancaster Covid Safe For a business to achieve the award, they are required to award scheme is designed to support apply by completing an online questionnaire and submitting a comprehensive Covid-19 risk assessment and provide the local retail and hospitality sector, by supporting photographs. helping to provide reassurance to the After a successful pilot and launch on the 1 October, public that visiting shops, bars, pubs, Lancaster City Council received 32 applications for the cafes, restaurants and other venues award, of which 31 were successful. Work is continuing to assist businesses to implement the measures needed. operating within the district was safe Feedback from businesses has been extremely positive, with because they had met required safety many feeling that the public will be reassured that customers measures. can visit their premises in a safe way. Corona Kindness Blackpool Council created a way for people in Blackpool’s well-established local neighbourhood support need of help or advice to request support, if structures, services from local businesses and voluntary they or their household had been impacted by groups. Covid-19. A large part of the support the council provided was for those struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, having Corona Kindness was launched by the council via their recognised how difficult many were finding the pandemic, community hub, which provides practical help, support particularly those who were having to shield, this became a and advice and puts local people in need in touch with lifeline to those struggling. Let’s Keep Talking Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care call, while social distancing measures were in place. System (ICS) launched a suicide prevention The main audiences were: campaign encouraging residents to ‘keep talking’ • Young people and older teenagers used to spending lots throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. of time with their friends • Parents who were juggling home working and home The ICS was concerned that people’s mental health would schooling be adversely affected in Lancashire and South Cumbria as • Men who had been furloughed, made redundant or who people stayed home during lockdown and self-isolation. To are self-employed tackle this the ICS created materials to share on social media • Older and vulnerable people who were shielding or self- and via local community hubs asking people to call their isolating friends and family and keep talking by text, phone and video Cards for Kindness In December 2020, with Christmas well on the the region’s care homes under Covid-19 restrictions, many way, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated residents may have been feeling lonely and isolated – more Care System (ICS) wanted to offer some hope so than ever at Christmas. to those living alone or isolated from friends That’s why receiving a Christmas card in 2020 was so and family during what was set to be one of the important. It’s nice to receive post and to open a card and strangest Christmases on record. know that someone is thinking of you. It helps older people to feel connected to their community and brings back happy, ‘Cards for Kindness’ aims to tackling loneliness and isolation festive memories. Research shows these interactions and amongst older people and launched on 1 December, with an conversations can have many health benefits, particularly for ask for people to send a card to someone who would benefit people who are living with dementia. from the contact. With more than 11,000 people living in Mental health support for NHS staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals A psychological wellbeing helpline was set up for all staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals in 2020 to ensure they had access to mental health support should they need it. The Staff Psychological Wellbeing Helpline, which is led by clinical psychologists and supporting staff members, provides expert mental health and wellbeing support as well as signposting to other local and national charities and support mechanisms. Happy Art spreads joy Lifting spirits has been vital since the beginning of the pandemic, because of the effect it has had on all of us both physically and mentally. That’s why Wyre Council set up Happy Art, a project on social media where they asked people to send in their artistic creations during lockdown, which they shared each week. They received more than 50 submissions and the photos received great engagement on social media – testament to how they brightened up the day at what was a time of great uncertainty and worry for many. Hundreds of laptops given to support home-learning Due to children having to learn remotely as a result of the pandemic, the demand for technology for those without access to it in the home increased significantly across Lancashire. Not every household has regular access to computer equipment, and many were unable to get equipment through the national or local schemes running at the time. Following a decision by council leaders, Lancashire County Council made £1million available for hundreds of laptops to be distributed to children who needed them across the county. Extra payment for foster carers to say thank you Lancashire County Council offered a surprise extra payment in recognition of the vital support foster carers have given children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic. An amount of £100 was given to foster carers for each child they were caring for during the pandemic as recognition for the care provided by foster carers, including home schooling and help with supporting mental wellbeing. Community Hubs help locals to access the essentials Wyre Council set up community hubs at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure members of their community could readily access food parcels, medication, help with shopping and grants for businesses. Since 1 April, the council have given more than £38 million in business grants, ensuring local organisations are as protected as possible from the uncertainty of the pandemic. Supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic The pandemic brought many challenges for us all, but for were struggling to afford food or other essential items due to those who were already vulnerable, the last year has been financial hardship caused by Covid-19. The Covid-19 Winter even more difficult. Via a number of government grants, Fund meant £1.3m was allocated to Lancashire to support Lancashire County Council was able to support tens of with free school meals and to help families and individuals thousands of people in need of support.