Get Involved / Have Your Say
Lower Valley Friday Flyer 27 March 2020 – OUT NOW!!
Click here to view the latest Lower Valley Friday Flyer…
This week:
- Calderdale Lower Valley Blog – Communications and updating you on the Coronavirus
- Coronavirus: Can you help? Food and NHS volunteer responders requested
- Friends Against Scams: Beware of Coronavirus related scams!
- Pennine Magpie newsletter – Magpie Matters out now!
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing calderdalelowervalley@gmail.com
Food Banks in Calderdale
List of Food Banks in Calderdale
During this unprecedented time, Calderdale’s food banks, which are mainly led by volunteers, are relying on the kindness of our communities even more than usual. All food and financial donations will be very gratefully received by the food banks to help them top up their supplies.
This page will be updated at least on a weekly basis.
Includes information about:
- Current Operations
- Donating food
- Food supply
- General Support
- Donating money
- Volunteering at a food bank
- Generosity and Kindness
- Street based provision
- Free School Meals
- LIST OF CURRENT FOOD BANKS IN CALDERDALE
Virtual Volunteer Hub
Want to help?
Look online for how to contact groups in your area. We are creating a directory of groups who are working locally to help people who need support. We will post updates on here as we get them.
We know that lots of people have already set up local groups to support their local neighbours and friends during this difficult time with shopping and other basic needs. We want to encourage people to link up with local neighbours and groups where those already exist. We have put together some guidance about doing this safely and in line with the latest public health guidance. Please see here.
If you have any questions about how to volunteer safely please have a look at our webpages or email us at volunteeringcovid19@calderdale.gov.uk.
No group in your area?
Contact us at volunteeringcovid19@calderdale.gov.uk and we will give you some guidance on starting a group or helping out. Guidance is also on our webpages here: https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/jobs-and-volunteering/volunteering/coronavirus-volunteering
Self-isolating? Need some support and help for basic shopping and medication pick up?
Please contact us if you or someone that you know needs some help whilst self-isolating. We will let you know about local support in your area, including home delivery shopping services.
Lots of services are being offered on the phone including our staying well service which will help with anyone who is feeling lonely during this difficult time. If you or someone you know is unable to get shopping or other basic needs through someone they know locally please email us and we will try and find someone local to them who can help them with these things.
Please email volunteeringcovid19@calderdale.gov.uk We can put you in touch with volunteer or local groups.
Update on Volunteer offers
Thank you so much for offering to volunteer. We really appreciate it. The Council are currently prioritising matching volunteers to the people who have been asked by the NHS and government to self-isolate because they are at risk and don’t have friends or family who can help them to get essential shopping of medicines. We will be working through that list of vulnerable people first so please bear with us. We will contact you again once those real priorities emerge.
Thank you once again.
Calderdale Council
Coronavirus: Can you help? Food and NHS volunteer responders requested
Times are difficult and help is needed now more than ever. If you can offer any assistance, either in the way of food for the more vulnerable or by giving some of your time to the NHS, please follow these links:
Find food banks near you asking for help with donations.
- https://www.givefood.org.uk/needs/ – Food banks in need
If you can offer your help to the NHS it will be greatly appreciated. You can submit your details through the form found in this link.
- https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHSvolunteerresponders – NHS looking for volunteer responders
Friends Against Scams: Beware of Coronavirus related scams!
Friends Against Scams want to make you aware of scams related to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus.
Be aware of people offering or selling:
- Virus testing kits – these are only offered by the NHS
- Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently NO vaccine or cure
- Overpriced or fake goods to protect yourself from the virus (ie anti-bacterial products)
- Shopping or medication collection services
- Home cleaning services
As with All scams:
- Don’t be rushed into making a decision. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
- Only purchase from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information
- Don’t assume everyone is genuine. It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any request. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. If someone attempts to pressure you into accepting a service, they’re unlikely to be genuine.
- Check with your family and friends before accepting offers of help if you are unsure.
Do you sit at a desk all day? Simple ways to add some exercise to your routine!
With many of us having to work from home at present and the lack of going out options, despite this uncharacteristically lovely weather, there are still ways to incorporate some exercise in our daily routine.
Do you sit at a desk all day? Does your 9 to 5 leave no time for structured exercise..?
Read this document for ideas to add movement to your day
At these times especially it is crucial to keep active. This will help both with our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, in order to best cope with having to remain indoors.
Staying Safe Domestic Abuse Support – Coronavirus (COVID 19) update (from 18/03/20)
If you are affected by any aspect of Domestic Abuse Calderdale’s Staying Safe team can help by providing telephone support including domestic abuse support, safety advice and access to legal advice. To access support please phone: 01422 323339 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).
Please note that in In line with Government and Public Health advice we are not meeting clients face to face and our drop-in sessions in Todmorden and open access sessions at WomenCentre in Halifax are not currently running.
We will provide an update if the situation or advice changes. Please see our website for more information and for contact details for national domestic violence helplines: http://calderdalestayingsafe.org.uk/
Virtual coffee mornings with the Curious motion – in place of Brews & Grooves
The classes run by Curious Motion throughout the year have been cancelled for now but they are also moving online and from Tuesday next week they are running a ‘virtual coffee morning’ each week for anyone who would like to join.
This is particularly to support the group of people over 55 who usually attend our ‘Brews & Grooves’ class on a Tuesday morning and are likely to be self isolating for a significant period of time, but it is also open to anyone who wants to join.
To sign up for the coffee mornings email Sam for the info. This can be found on the Curious Motion website: www.curiousmotion.org.uk.
Virtual Coffee mornings will run every Tuesday at 10am.
STAY HOME UNLESS ESSENTIAL
Posted on 24/03/2020 by Calderdale Council
The Leader of Calderdale Council, Councillor Tim Swift said:
“Just over a week ago, I said that we are facing the greatest challenge since the Second World War. Today I repeat that statement.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement last night means that every single resident of Calderdale, before they leave their door, must consider if this is absolutely essential. The only reasons you may leave home are:
- to go to work (but work from home if possible);
- to shop for groceries, medicine and other essentials (infrequently);
- to exercise outside (once a day);
- to provide care or help a vulnerable person or
- for any medical need.
“If you are not doing any of these things please stop and think again. This virus will continue to spread if people do not follow the Government’s advice.
“The health and wellbeing of every single one of us, young and old, of good health or in poor health, depends on the actions we do or do not take today. We are putting further guidance in place on these measures as we receive it.
“We all know this is difficult, but we are in unprecedented times. The Council today is reviewing again every service and activity we undertake. We always focus on the most vulnerable and the most in need. We are a place of kindness and resilience and now our overarching focus must be on this.
“We will be updating you on further impacts to the Council as soon as possible. We are also working to launch a support hub for the most vulnerable this week. We have written to businesses about the announcements made by the Government and will make financial support available as soon as we receive it from the Government.
“Thank you for your care, your kindness and spirit of togetherness. We know how unsettling this is but we will get through this together.
Thank you.”
Emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people during coronavirus
Feeling concerned or overwhelmed by the news around coronavirus (COVID-19) is understandable, especially for those children and young people who are struggling with their mental health or you have a physical illness. They may be feeling worried about their own health, or someone in their family, or what impact the virus will have on life as a whole.
Open Minds have created a section on Calderdale’s emotional health and wellbeing website where children, young people, parents, carers, family members, school staff and colleagues can find tips, support, advice and information about looking after your self in these uncertain times.
Please share this link far and wide with children, young people, their families and colleagues you work with
