Wellbeing in Partnership E-Bulletin – Bromsgrove & Redditch – Update 55

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  

 

  • Not had your first or second dose?  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.

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

 

Everyone can access FREE regular rapid lateral flow 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.  The tests give you a result in just 30 minutes.  Further information, including FAQs, can be found here.

Not sure where to get your Rapid Lateral Flow Tests?  You can simple enter your postcode and collection points and test sites closest to you will be listed.  Go to: Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)

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

 

  • 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.

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

  • ABCD Community Builders appointed in Catshill and Rubery! – Public Health at Worcestershire County Council (WCC) recently allocated funding for community builder posts across Worcestershire to support Asset Based Community Development (ABCD).   Initially it was anticipated that the funding for Bromsgrove District would only allow for one community builder but it has in fact allowed for two community builder posts – one in Catshill and one in Rubery – for approximately 18 months, hosted by Newstarts.  Following a successful recruitment process, supported by the ABCD Team in Public Health at WCC, both community builder posts have been filled by local residents.  Thanks to partners who helped promote!  Katie Burgess is the community builder for Catshill and Angela Brookes is the community builder for Rubery, both starting this month.  The work they will be doing will be very much community led but there will be a need for agencies to support, where appropriate, so thanks in advance for your support.  To explain a bit more on ABCD, attached is an extract compiled by the ABCD Team in Public Health.

  • Recruitment for Redditch Community Builders – Out Now – BARN is in the process of recruiting two Community Builders for Redditch – one to work in the Woodrow area and one to work in the Abbeydale area of the town.  Ideally, the Community Builders should come from the areas in question and be confident in talking to local people and able to make connections between residents and local services.  More details of what is required by the ideal candidate and the application process can be found using this link – https://barn.org.uk/about/come-and-work-with-us/ – the deadline for applications is Tuesday 14th December.

  • *NEW* Act on Energy – Worcestershire Household Support Fund – Many of you will be aware that Act on Energy provides free and confidential energy advice, but did you know that as part of the Worcestershire Winter 2021/22 Housing Support Fund, Act on Energy will be able to provide additional support to qualifying residents with their energy costs, fuel debt and where required, assistance to replace broken boilers and heating systems?  This support available through this scheme, includes:

·         Winter Fuel Payment

·         Pre-Payment Fuel Vouchers

·         Debt Relief – help with paying off fuel debt

·         Help with broken heating systems (all fuel types) – includes replacement or repair; installation of first-time heating systems; and servicing.

Further information, including the eligibility criteria, can be found online at: WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND – Act On Energy.  Residents can apply online or by calling the freephone number 0800 988 2881.  Act on Energy will accept referrals from a recognised source such as a foodbank, schools etc. Please see attached poster for more information.

  • Worcestershire Winters Well – Public Health have helpfully pulled together a web page with resources and information on how to keep well this winter.  The page has links to everything from keeping warm, vaccinations, mental health, money issues and more. See this link for more information – Worcestershire Winters Well | Worcestershire County Council

 

  • Christmas Food Support – there are a variety of organisations providing food support over the Christmas period in Redditch and Bromsgrove.  Please see the attached information which gives details of the organisations, their offer of support and qualifying criteria.

  • Bromsgrove Library Job Club Relaunch – Bromsgrove Library are pleased to be able to offer job seeking support again from Thursday 2nd December from 10.00-12.00.  Anyone is welcome to drop in for help with job seeking, CV’s etc.  Please see attached for more information.

  • Covid Recovery Programmes – Further to the success of the Councils two Covid Recovery programmes in Redditch and Bromsgrove, we now have two more programmes ready to start in January 2021.  The success of the projects was measured by using the “30 second sit to stand assessment”, which saw an average increase of 68% in Bromsgrove and 31% in Redditch.  In addition to that participants self-reported…

·         Sleeping better

·         Feeling more positive

·         Improved confidence

·         Improved management of symptoms

·         Understanding the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet

You can see more information about the sessions here….Covid Recovery – redditchbc.gov.uk and Covid Recovery – bromsgrove.gov.uk

  • How Are You Doing Worcestershire? – Worcestershire County Council would like to find out how people across the districts are feeling as we manage life in a pandemic. The Public Health team at Worcestershire County Council recognises the uncertain times everyone is living through and that this has affected us all in different ways and the ‘How are you doing Worcestershire? campaign aims to start the conversation to find out how the people of Worcestershire are faring. The conversation launched on social media via the council’s main platforms and with its own Facebook group.  It’s an opportunity for residents, workers, parents, everyone in the county to share their stories of how the pandemic has personally affected them, what they have done to cope and how they are feeling now. The campaign invites everyone to be a part of the discussion and join a new Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/how.are.you.doing.worcestershire/  a place to share ideas, chat and get support. This platform will also provide an array of advice, hints and tips for how you can feel better and direction to guidance for those who may be struggling.  Insights gathered as part of this conversation will help Public Health at Worcestershire County Council to prepare for the forthcoming Health and Well Being Board Strategy Consultation launching early next year.

Surveys

  • How do you feel about Covid-19 Vaccinations? – Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council are working with partners to try to better understand how local people feel about Covid-19 and the vaccination programme.  Partners including Public Health, the NHS, Worcestershire County Council and Bromsgrove District Council are working together to determine how residents in the local community feel about covid-19 vaccination and their thoughts and views on having or not having the vaccine.  To gather this information, a survey has been created. An online version is available for Bromsgrove residents at: Covid 19 Vaccination 2021 – bromsgrove.gov.uk. or for Redditch residents  – Covid 19 Vaccination 2021 – Redditch.  In addition to being attached, several hard copy surveys will be available at Parkside in the Customer Services area and at the Town Hall and some community venues including Sandycroft, BARN offices and The Basement Project offices.

Training / Events

 

  • Free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) ‘2 day’ virtual training is available for staff and volunteers working in Worcestershire  – MHFA is an internationally recognised training course, designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. In the same way as learning physical first aid, MHFA teaches people how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health and feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support.  The attached flyer has details of when the courses will be taking place online and how you can book a place via the MHFA booking website.   Delegates will be required to attend both course days. Please note due to expected demand, places have been limited to two per organisation.

 

Other Newsletters

  • DWP Touchbase and DWP Weekly updates – all three attached for information.
  • 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.
  • Active Redditch and Active Bromsgrove – latest editions attached.
  • Worcestershire Healthwatch – December Newsletter 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: