Two messages, one from the chief constable and second page more awareness about Cyber-Protection mainly for businesses.
200406 Message from the Chief ConstableGood morning,
I just wanted to let you know that our local schools are still open in the holidays for the children of critical workers and for our most vulnerable children. In the holidays, these schools are staffed by volunteers and when we start the new term, the schools will be staffed via a rota. Work has been set on line for both primary and secondary children, with paper packs being distributed for those who do not have access to a computer.
We are also providing supermarket vouchers so the children on Free School Meals can access food up to £3 per day and the College has also donated food to the local food bank.
Our most vulnerable children are receiving constant phone calls from key staff to ensure that they are okay.
I thought that you would like to know what your local schools are doing to play their part in this national crisis.
Best wishes,
Jonathan
Jonathan Digby
Aspire Learning Trust
Fantastic community support, I am proud and priveldged to have been Chairman of Whittlesey & District Neighbourhood Watch for 9 years.
We registered with The Fenland Hub on the first day and I am pleased to say that we (I and Connie) have fulfilled 10 requests for prescriptions and medicines during this week.
We have done some urgent shopping and picked up post and parcels.
Next week we shall take a break and 2 more NHW coordinators will take the task on.
We hope we are being sensible in exposing ourselves.
We are not alone – Deborah Slator (De-Fibs) and her group are doing even more calls.
There are the many individuals who are doing their part – and I am sure I can speak for everyone – a BIG, BIG thank you.
Further to my post on 01st April …
With all official platforms advising people to only carry out the minimum of contact, shop when only necessary for ‘essential’ items and get exercise once a day.
The two times I was in our town this week to collect and deliver medications for those who can no longer do it themselves – Whittlesey centre was in ‘holiday’ mode, there appeared far too many people doing their thing…. There were groups of 3’s and 4’s passing each other along Market Street. I counted 8 people waiting to use the Nationwide Cash Machine – listen up Cash is a ‘dirty’ word at present….
I had several police reports come to me – they ‘appear’ to be quite happy with the situation…Well they cetainly wasn’t in our town centre when I was there.
This next week is to be a very crutial time, already I am aware of many cases of Corvid-19 in our town, I know that at least 3 people from Whittlesey are in PCH, one being in a very poorly condition.
Almost everyone I speak to (on the phone/e-mail) are adhearing to the ‘rules’ – but there is an element o those who ‘think’ the rules do not apply to them….
They maybe think that they are immune to the Virus
So like with the Government officials, our PM and local government advice, please I ask everyone to limit themselves to the very basic inter-action.
By the way, I was told by one of our Supermarket managers, that some people visit every day still to do their ‘daily’ shop….
Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
Why not put a note on your bin(s) to say thank you to our ‘Bin Men’ (Refuse Collectors – Dustman) who I am sure we are all appreciative at present.
Offer of fresh food March area villages:
We have had an offer come in from a March based organisation who is already working with the foodbank but has noticed a daily surplus of fresh food over the last few weeks beyond that which they can distribute. They would like to offer this to small groups/organisations local to March including the villages should you be willing to collect from their premises.
Typically this will include items such as bread and veg.
Please let me know if you are interested and I can put you in touch with one another.
Extra volunteers:
We have last night received the list of registered volunteers from the Cambridgeshire Hub. Which is broken down as below. If you are operating in one of these areas, and you are in need of volunteers please can you let me know, which tasks they would be needed to do; and we can start matching the volunteer with your group as soon as possible.
Benwick – 2
Chatteris – 10
Doddington – 1
Elm – 1
Friday Bridge – 1
Manea – 1
March – 12
Parson Drove – 1
Pondersbridge – 1
Tydd St Giles – 2
Whittlesey – 9
Wimblington – 2
Wisbech – 5
Feeding Whittlesey
We have been informed that a new website has been launched by Whittlesey businesses that provides information to people self isolating on groceries and takeaway food delivery. https://www.feedingwhittlesey.co.uk/
Funding for groups helping people over 70
We have been made aware of the following grant fund for organisations working with people over 70: https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions
National Funding
We have also been sent a link to a list of national funding that is being made available:
https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/what-funding-is-available-to-charities-during-covid-19-pandemic.html
Boots @ New Queen Street Surgery
Monday – Friday 09:00 – 18:00
Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Closed for lunch 13:00 – 14:00
Boots @ High Causeway
Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30
Closed for lunch 12:00 – 13:00
This information is correct as I have spoken to both stores.
Their websites have not been updated.
Click on bottom left corner to advance/retard the page..
020 04 02 GENERAL C-19 Business Support Grant FAQsCOVID-19 – Adult Safeguarding Board Update
The College has been informed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Adults Board of the following:
‘Calls from somebody claiming to be from Public Health England, asking residents if they had received their letter from the government and then asking if they have support from family and friends, etc. and trying to obtain personal details’
Please can I ask that you and your families are vigilant during these challenging times, where some of us are understandably more vulnerable than before.
Another good turn out last night at 8pm – Clapping/Whistling & Hooting for all our support workers, volunteers and NHS staff.
Thank you for your continued efforts to meet the needs of your local communities. We have received a few enquiries this week, our response to which I thought to be worth summarising and sharing with wider partners. Hopefully this information will be of use, apologies if you are already aware of some of it. As ever please do feel free to get in touch if you have any other concerns or queries.
Q: How are we reaching out to the most clinically vulnerable?
Regarding ‘shielded’ residents there will be a coordinated delivery of food parcels by the Red Cross across Cambridgeshire by Cambridgeshire County Council. https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/council-food-parcels-covid19-1-6588470
if you have concerns for any resident, groups are encouraged to make a referral to Fenland’s covid19@fenland.gov.uk 01354 654321 and we can help refer them accordingly.
Q: Is there any financial help available to groups who are responding?
Q: Is there any guidance for groups such as ours?
Q: Do we know of any offers of food donation our group can access?
It looks as though it is linked to the FareShare Scheme, which organisations who are interested can find out about here: https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/fareshare-go-support/
Thank you again for your ongoing work.
Best wishes
Isabel
Isabel Edgington
Senior Events and Projects Officer
Fenland District Council
01354 602167 | 07950 751870
