Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Under ‘normal’ circumstances, various vendors sell items at the Kings Delph layby- however we are not under normal circumstances.
Some ‘person;’ has set up a stall in the layby – trying their luck – I dare say to make a shilling or two…..but this is not legal under the current situation, I understand that FDC have been made aware.
We have an excellent garden centre at Westfield Nurseries who will deliver to your driveway – why not use them please.

Thank you for those who have sent over useful information for circulation amongst those groups and businesses who continue to respond to Covid 19.  I have summarised the information received this week below.

Support for people struggling with finances:
Residents who are:

• Struggling to make ends meet
• Have accessed crisis support e.g. foodbanks
• Are in debt
  Can receive advice from New Horizons – via Making Money Count http://makingmoneycount.org.uk/
  and/or over the phone 0300 111 3555 (leaflet also attached)
  

Mental Health Support for Young People
NHS ChatHealth is available for 11 -1 9 year olds to text if they are struggling with their emotions.  Text 07480 635 443 now to start a conversation Mon – Fri 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Mental Health Support for Adults ‘Now We’re Talking’
Cambridgeshire County Council are promoting this campaign led by the NHS, LAs and third sector.  Examples of support can be viewed here:
https://www.supportcambridgeshire.org.uk/now-were-talking-coming-together-in-isolation/

Additional services from Sainsbury’s

• Community groups who are looking to make bulk orders on behalf of residents are asked to contact their local store, where the manager will try to accommodate this ready for bulk collection from store.
• Sainsbury’s have also launched an e-gift card, residents and/or friends can add up to £250 online and send the card to a trusted person/group of their choosing to shop for them. https://sainsburysgiftcard.co.uk/ organisations wishing to purchase more than one £250 card can also do so here:
   https://www.sainsburysbusinessdirect.co.uk/order/
• Sainsburys have also launched click and collect from some stores, Peterborough, Kings Lynn and Ely being the nearest.

Awareness of Domestic Abuse
There has been quite a bit of coverage on the news about increased instances of domestic abuse during lockdown.  Community groups looking to raise volunteers’ awareness can access basic training here:  Level 1 – County DASV Partnership Domestic Abuse Basic Awareness E-learning module, which takes 30 minutes and has a downloadable certificate https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/website/elearning_modules/

Care Network Reminder
Care network are still available to offer telephone help and support within Fenland.  A recap of their excellent support services is attached.

Homelessness advice available in English, Romanian and Polish
Groundswell have released useful advice in 3 languages for those supporting rough sleepers / people in shared accommodation including information on coronavirus and accessing benefits:  https://groundswell.org.uk/coronavirus/ 

Support for Carers
We have had a number of residents contact us who act as carers for a friend/relative and are concerned about how they will cope.  The following link provides information regarding support services for carers
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/looking-after-someone/support-for-carers

Requesting support for people with sight or hearing loss
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Sensory Services Team have issued the attached documents for organisations wishing to make a referral for a person with hearing and/or sight loss who needs extra support.

Best wishes
Isabel
Isabel Edgington
Senior Events and Projects Officer
Fenland District Council

Dear Mr Gerstner,
Our services are only for essential journeys. Our message to everyone else is continue to stay at home this bank holiday, don’t travel, save lives.

The number of people using Tube and rail services has fallen dramatically by around 95% and the number of people using buses by around 85%. This is important to stop the spread of coronavirus.
It is vital that everyone continues not to travel unless their journey is essential, and does not return to the transport network.
Our staff are working hard to support the NHS and protect all Londoners. Please help them and continue to follow the instructions not to travel for as long as it takes to defeat coronavirus. 

Stay at home. Don’t travel. Save lives.

Our very good friend Bob Stincombe died last week aged 89 – I had known Bob for over 45 years, he was an exceptional Chief Engineer and mentor. It is so unfortunate that Connie & I can not attend the funeral tomorrow (Thursday), wife Margaret is also not very well at this time.
Our thoughts will be with Bob’s family tomorrow.

(l-r) Bob S, Gwyn H, Margaret S & RG     (l-r) Gwyn H, CG & Margart S

As with all my good seafaring friends (shipmates) I always arrange in consultation with the family an Anchor Wreath (similar to the one below)

LOF News Wreath

Although the link provided did not work (for me) or for many others – Just put Fenland Council in search box…. I got in because I have a YouTube account (sign in) and then subscribe to the meeting and I got in… There was over 21 people viewing when I looked.
Later it went to 30+ and by the conclusion at 14:12 there were 42 viewers.

Tomorrow at 1pm there will be another Planning Meeting at FDC on the same platform – YouTube.

The future has arrived.

There has been reports of thefts from garden sheds and allotment sheds.
Lock It or it may disappear.

Social distancing measures will remain in place across the sites and people are being urged to only visit if the waste or recycling cannot be stored at home “without causing risk of injury to health or harm”.

Anyone who is showing COVID-19 symptoms, has been diagnosed with the virus or has someone in their household exhibiting signs of the virus should continue to stay at home.

New Road Recycling Centre©RG

Message from Lakeside – New Queen Street Surgery.

On Bank Holiday Friday (May 08th) any patient requiring a GP appointment should contact the surgery on the usual number 01733 568569 (Stanground)
01733 204611 (New Queen Street).
As is now ‘normal’ due to coronavirus procedures our GP’s will look to complete any consultation over the telephone.

Should any patient need to be seen face-to-face, For the Bank Holiday only
Our GP’s will be able to see patients at Lakeside Yaxley Health Centre, Lansdowne Rd,
Yaxley PE7 3JL

If you require a same day face-to-face appointment, but are unable to travel to  Yaxley, we will arrange a home visit from a New Queen Street GP

Thank you for your understanding and help during this challenging period.