Dear all,

Please find the latest information bulletin below.  (Please note: These bulletins are designed to replace our monthly e-newsletter for the time being, with Covid related information at the top.)

COVID Vaccinations  

 

• Is it time for your booster?  People who are over 50 or have a condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 or are frontline health and social care workers are amongst those eligible to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccines.  Anyone eligible who had their Covid-19 second dose six months ago or more can book now.  From today (8^th Nov), if it is five months (152 days) since your last dose you can book your booster in advance on the national system.: Book or manage a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk).  Further information on who is eligible for the booster can be found at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

• In addition to invites via schools, parents of 12-15 year olds have the option to book an appointment at a vaccination centre.  The closest one locally is the Artrix.  More appointments and local sites will be available from next week, including Knights Pharmacy in Redditch.  Parents are being encouraged to go online at: Book or manage a 1st or 2nd dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

• Anyone aged 16 or over who are registered with a GP surgery in England, can book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment(s), as well as parents of 12-15 year olds.  To find out more, including information on walk-in sites, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or call 119.

• Anyone not registered with a GP Surgery can do so for free and further information can be found at: How to register with a GP surgery – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

• Can’t find your NHS number to book an appointment?  Then use this link:  www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

• Most children aged between 12 and 17 years and 9 months require one dose only.  Some children are being offered 2 doses of the vaccine and will be contacted directly by the NHS.  Anyone aged over 17 years and 9 months requires 2 doses.   Who can get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Need to know more on Covid Vaccinations?  Further information can be found on the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

*IMPORTANT REMINDER* – COVID Testing – Rapid Lateral Flow Tests & PCR Tests

 

Everyone can access FREE regular rapid tests.  They are for people who DO NOT have any symptoms.  Regular, twice weekly rapid testing is encouraged, even if you have been vaccinated.  Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms.  Getting tested regularly finds hidden cases, ensuring you don’t pass it onto family members, friends or workmates.  If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.

You can book a test, order online or simply pick up home testing at a range of local venues.  Your employer may also offer free rapid lateral flow testing.  The tests give you a result in just 30 minutes.  Further information, including FAQs, can be found here.

Have symptoms and need a free PCR test?   Go to: Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In some circumstances, you can also have a PCR test without symptoms, such as you have had a positive rapid lateral flow test or you are aware you have come into contact with someone who has COVID‑19, for instance.  Further information and advice can be found using the same ‘Get a free PCR test’ link above

Further information on both types of tests can be found here.

COVID Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme (includes eligible parents/guardians)

 

Since Monday 16th August 2021, changes to self isolation rules have affected who is able to claim a support payment.  Redditch and Bromsgrove residents can find out more on eligibility and how to apply at:

https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/money,-education-skills/benefits-help/nhs-covid-19-test-and-trace-self-isolation-support-payment.aspx

https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/money-education-and-skills/benefits-and-help/nhs-covid-19-test-and-trace-self-isolation-support-payment.aspx

Public Health Worcestershire – latest Vaccination / COVID data and messages

 

• Worcestershire COVID-19 Vaccinations Dashboard – The latest Worcestershire vaccination data is publicly available online and includes a District and MSOA (middle-layer super output area) breakdown by age group.

• Real Time Worcestershire Coronavirus Data – is publicly available.  The live dashboard shows the numbers of new cases Worcestershire wide and also by District.  Further information about COVID-19 cases in Worcestershire can be found through the LG inform data website.  There are also interactive maps covering all of the UK can be found on the gov.uk website.

• COVID-19 Self Isolation – Guides available – Please follow this link to download the Covid-19 Self Isolation guide produced by Public Health Worcestershire to help anyone who needs to self‑isolate.  There is also a family version of the guide available using this link.  They explain why it’s important to self-isolate when required, highlights help available (including financial support), provides advice and tips, and answers frequently asked questions.

• Please see the Worcestershire Public Health pages – for any local messages around restriction updates, vaccinations, advice and guidance, including a link to the Government’s COVID-19 Response Autumn and Winter Plan 2021.

REMINDER – The Local Community Responses aimed at supporting residents through the Covid-19 pandemic  

Further details on the local community responses aimed at supporting residents through the Covid-19 pandemic is attached but basic contact details are listed below.  Please help ensure all local residents are aware so everyone is directed to and receives the support they need during this time:

·       Support Bromsgrove – www.supportbromsgrove.com – Tel: (24 hr answerphone) 01527 306490 or Email:  (poster attached)

·       Redditch East Stronger Together (REST) – Tel: 01527 919869

·       Support Redditch Emergency Network (SREN) – Tel: 01527 359008 or Email: 

·       Here2Help Worcestershire – www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help – Tel: 01905 768053

Service / Support – Information Updates

• Bromsgrove and Redditch – Social Prescribing Community Fund – NOW OPEN! – This fund will support local projects that improve and increase the choice, range and reach of available community activities for social prescribing to refer local people to – especially for those people most impacted by COVID-19, and those who are vulnerable or experiencing health inequalities. Social Prescribing supports individuals with practical and social issues which may be impacting on their health and wellbeing. They empower people through building confidence, enabling people to make informed choices and linking them to local services, activities and support. These activities and services could include friendship groups to reduce isolation, exercise classes to support strength and balance, learning opportunities, volunteering, walking groups, allotments, cookery classes and many more.

There are two grant schemes: 1) Main grants for applications up to £7,500, 2) Small Grants for applications up to £500.  The initial funding window closes Monday 15th November 6pm 2021. If any funding remains then applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all funding is allocated.  More information and details on how to apply can be found at barn.org.uk/social-prescribing-community-fund

• Worcestershire COVID-19 Impact Focus Groups – Community Grants – Worcestershire Public Health is looking for community groups and providers to run a series of COVID-19 impact focus groups.  Grants of £2,000 are available to deliver targeted focus group conversations about covid impact.  These conversations will explore beliefs and attitudes to being well since the pandemic, how behaviours may have changed and the support that has been accessed, with communities that are rarely heard from.  Further details are available here: Worcestershire COVID-19 Impact Focus Groups – Community Grants | Worcestershire COVID-19 Impact Focus Groups – Community Grants | Worcestershire County Council  If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please contact public health on:       Closing date for applications is 12 noon 26^th November 2021. 

• New Mental Health Service – Qwell – Over 18s in Worcestershire are able to improve their mental wellbeing with a new free, safe and anonymous platform. On Qwell, you can talk to a professional, engage in community support or simply read our thousands of self-help articles – all for free.  Please see the attached information which gives more detail on what the service provides and how to access it.

• Live tender for Suicide Bereavement Training – Worcestershire County Council (WCC) is seeking tenders from suitably experienced organisations, working alone or in partnership with other organisations, to produce and deliver a locally tailored suite of training sessions around bereavement by suicide.  The organisation will be responsible for the co-ordination, allocation and advertising of the training alongside evaluation and ensuring outcomes and KPIs are achieved.  If you are interested in finding out more, you must be registered on the InTend portal to view full details and apply https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/worcestershire/aspx/ProjectManage/2402.  Submissions close on Friday 12^th November.

·         A reminder that the Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Surveys for 2021 are open until 5pm on Friday 12 November.  – Residents of Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District are invited to take part in a survey which helps inform the Borough Council’s plans and decisions for the year ahead.  The Annual Community Survey asks residents for their views and opinions about issues affecting them, their local area, and Council services. The results are reported to members and officers of the council to support decisions and then made available on the council’s website for the public.  The 2021 survey is available for residents in the borough to take part at bromsgrove.gov.uk/consultations and redditchbc.gov.uk/consultations. It covers a range of areas and we have undertaken work to streamline the survey meaning it should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete, with the option to ‘save and continue’ if you want to take a break while filling it in. The results of last year’s survey are also available on the council’s website.  The closing date for responses is 5pm on Friday 12 November 2021.  For more information, please contact the Council’s Engagement, Equalities and Policy team at 

Training and Events

• Adult Learning and Community Health and Wellbeing Courses – please see attached information about new health and wellbeing courses starting in the next couple of weeks for adult learners.

 

• Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training – this training gives frontline workers the skills and confidence to have brief opportunistic conversations to improve health and wellbeing.  There are a variety of options to access the training with some sessions taking place on Zoom and other face to face sessions being held over the next couple of months.  This is a great opportunity for staff of various organisations – obviously not only is it a free evidence based training programme to upskill staff, but it will also have a huge impact in terms of prevention and improving health and wellbeing.  Please see attached flyer for more information and dates of the training sessions.

Other Newsletters

• NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (HW CCG) – Communications Update  – please see latest one attached.
• NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (HW CCG) – Involvement Network Update  – please see latest one attached.
• DWP Touchbase and DWP Weekly updates – all attached for information.
• Worcestershire Healthwatch E- Newsletter – please see attached.
• Community First E-Newsletter – please see attached.
• Active Redditch and Bromsgrove E-Newsletter – please see attached.

We hope you find some of the information above helpful.  Please let us know if you would like any information put into these bulletins by emailing us at .  We are currently sending out bulletins fortnightly.

Kind Regards,

Della McCarthy & Helen Broughton

Bromsgrove Partnership / Redditch Partnership

Email: 

       

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