KEEPING CONNECTED NEWS
Jane Pannell’s 13th newsletter to those involved in Keeping Lowick and District Connected is published below.
STITCHERS AND CUTTERS
Our sewers in Lowick Village Hall are continuing their sterling work and Annie Robertson reports this week:
The team are still busy making items but requests this week have been focused on face coverings. We had a request for 330 for the GP surgeries which are non-medical coverings and for patients to wear. We had anticipated a need so have provided 210 so far. An additional request came in today for another 100 for GP surgeries in south Northumberland.
And Annie will let us know if there’s a need for transport or materials or anything else.
TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL
Transport continues to be an issue for people needing to get to hospital and at least one of our volunteers is helping whenever there’s a need. So, don’t forget that we have willing people to help where there’s an appointment for treatment, check-ups etc.
HEALTHWATCH NORTHUMBERLAND NEEDS LOCKDOWN EXPERIENCES
And on the topic of the health service, Healthwatch Northumberland tells us that few people in the north have been in touch and they ask for stories about our experience of the NHS/social care system during the pandemic.
We’re here for you at this time and wants to hear about the NHS, health and social care services you, or someone you care for, have used during the pandemic. Whether you’ve accessed emergency services, mental health services, had a video appointment with your doctor, had treatment delayed or still had a great experience with services, we’d like to hear from you. You can use our ‘tell us your story’ feedback page: healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/tell-us-your-coronavirus-story/, email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk, call 03332 408468 or message us on Facebook or Twitter.
We’re holding a series of online forums on issues such as mental health, special educational needs and disabilities and dementia. On Wednesday 15 July we would like carers to come along and share your views and experiences with us at our forum: Unpaid Carers and Mental Health Services. This will take place between 2pm and 3pm, via Zoom, but if you can’t take part or would rather speak to us individually, the team will be available after the forum from 3pm -4pm to hear about your experiences. For more information, please contact Laura Kane: laurak@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk. We’d love you to get involved.
GETTING BACK TO WORK IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR JOB
We know that many people have lost their jobs with what they perceive to be slight prospects of employment. They form another group of people for whom depression and isolation can be very sharp and difficult at this time. Well, the Bridges scheme is available to help people of working age throughout Northumberland and the scheme also offers a volunteering opportunity. See the Bridges Scheme Item for FULL DETAILS.
POLICE AND CRIME SURVEY
And the Police and Crime Commissioner, through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, has commissioned a survey into the pressures experienced during lockdown. This LINK will enable you to complete the survey.
ANOTHER SCAM
Unhelpfully there’s another evil scam – by telephone this time – please see TELEPHONE SCAM STORY for the way the call goes and do your best to advise people NOT to respond!
ANNE-MARIE TREVELYAN WRITES…
And our MP, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has written: I would through your weekly update like to take this opportunity to thank all the organisations and individuals who have come forward during this Covid19 emergency to help those who have found coping with the lockdown instructions and in particular the very vulnerable, extremely challenging. The organisers and volunteers who have given up their time and energy to help others have the heartfelt thanks from us all. Their actions have been inspiring and a example of true community spirit at a time of real peril. As we come out of the lockdown I would ask that everyone follows the current social distancing measures and remembers to keep washing and sanitising hands regularly and wear a face covering whilst on public transport and where social distancing is not possible. We will come through this pandemic because we are a great community. Thank you all.
A FINAL SILENCE ON THE 4TH OF JULY
We’re waiting for details of the proposed minute’s silence on the 4th July and the final clap-in on the 5th.
LOWICK.LIVE 