Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
Warning: Please be aware that there has been a lot of misinformation circulating on the internet and social media about Coronavirus. Attackers have also been using the Coronavirus as a phishing scam. If you require information or advice please access the NHS website or Gov.UK website only by using the following links:
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Find out how to protect yourself or check if you need medical support on the NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Get coronavirus support as a vulnerable person
full details for all Swindon residents can be found here:
https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/news/swindon-mps-urge-vulnerable-residents-sign-coronavirus-support
Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Statement from Downing Street: 8 April 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-downing-street-8-april-2020
Chancellor sets out extra £750 million coronavirus funding for frontline charities
NHS works with tech firms to help care home residents and patients connect with loved ones
Industry responds to call to arms to build British diagnostics industry at scale
HM Treasury and Bank of England announce temporary extension of the Ways and Means facility
UK airlines to save millions as navigation charges deferred
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-airlines-to-save-millions-as-navigation-charges-deferred
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-the-retail-sector
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the manufacturing sector
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-the-manufacturing-sector
Letter from the Rail Minister to the Rail Delivery Group on maintaining accessibility during the COVID-19 outbreak
Parole Board statement on prisoner early release scheme
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parole-board-statement-on-prisoner-early-release-scheme
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health professionals and other organisations
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable people
Stay at home guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Coronavirus bill: summary of impacts
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-bill-summary-of-impacts
Plans set out to support pupils eligible for free school meals
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-set-out-to-support-pupils-eligible-for-free-school-meals
Military stands up COVID Support Force
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-stands-up-covid-support-force
Government agrees measures with energy industry to support vulnerable people through COVID-19
AGE UK
Information for volunteers
The response we’ve had has been phenomenal, it is fantastic that so many people want to help and support older people who are staying home during the pandemic. We've shared the top five things that can help older people across the UK right now: http://ageuk.org.uk/helping
Age UK has put together postcards and a short video on neighbourly volunteering which provides helpful information and support for older friends and neighbours: http://bit.ly/2WtAOGT
Demand for our vital services has increased rapidly and online donations are the most effective way to reach the most in need at this time. Volunteers can help us keep our Information & Advice and friendship services running and help the local Age UKs provide practical help such as food parcels by donating at www.ageuk.org.uk/coronaappeal
Advice for older people
Age UK is here to support older people during this challenging time. We’ve outlined some tips to help stay safe and well over the coming weeks https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/staying-safe-and-well-at-home/
If you have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, you can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 635 days a year: 0800 055 6112
An update from Great Western Hospital
Coronavirus - Feel connected and offer support to others in Swindon
Councillor Tim Swinyard is coordinating a local support group which can be found by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/1129094494108068/?__xts__[0]=68.ARC5x07XWudwsWLgnLwHsA7bXrKAE9UEtZg2u1Yx8OEH2RXRdm9OqQ9aTxK9PWrM9NUO3ygQYtDr9K6bq08Pt0EwYhlsZynAEIqKAxG8fwp9jex-PgmTWg-ATsvZZpj3-qO3n-F9xxZdWIGSYa9boLVvpN-2ealjMSwfycCR2sBCSFGAillZmu90qq-IParsaHkI3EbQjaYIcSIB3cX6_Ua9-MzzSP_Pf55yFlZq5CmM3evs5ce4amIzeXosA4sAqB--S7t9cwolACyjD1AOrk-gm-L63a0oOq4DZCICBMiBds2v-lz6CguuCmf3GAOiiDDcN0FSdiwryxfZwlvO5-VjBA&__tn__=HH-R
Coronavirus and the elderly/vulnerable - social isolation
As nursing homes close their doors to visitors and the elderly and vulnerable are self-isolating, many people will be feeling lonely. If you have children, why not get them to write a letter or draw a picture for an elderly neighbour or local nursing home?
AGE UK - Community Meals and Free Confidential Support and Advice in Swindon
With the news that over 70’s and vulnerable people are being asked to self-isolate in their homes, Age UK Wiltshire have rapidly accelerated plans to launch their Community Meals+ Service (Meals on Wheels) across Swindon and Wiltshire. The rapidly changing circumstances and guidance for older people has triggered Age UK Wiltshire to re-configure it’s services and workforce to make sure we can make contact with those most in need and ‘come to you’ with hot meals, snacks and a wellbeing check, or organise a friendly regular ‘keeping in touch’ telephone call.
Age UK Wiltshire’s Director of Services said “now is the time to make sure older people are well supported and not left alone at home feeling anxious and out of touch with the outside world. We have a dedicated workforce made up of volunteers and paid staff who are all motivated to help minimise the negative impact Coronavirus is having on the older population. We are in daily communication with our colleagues in health and social care services to work together to support our people in whatever way we can”
We have dedicated webpages to Coivid-19… https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/
As well as Community Meals we are continuing to offer the older residents of Swindon and Wiltshire with free and confidential information and advice over the phone, by email and letter and regular phone calls to check on peoples wellbeing.
To contact us, please call
0808 196 2424 – Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm
Email: [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter @AgeUKWiltshire for updates about any further changes to this service
Coronavirus - Local Businesses
Transport: special timetables to be introduced by Swindon Bus Company. Click on the link below for full details and updates
https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/coronavirus
Barnes Coaches - Happy to help!
Are you, or do you know someone, who is self-isolating within the local area and is unable to get out to the local shops for essentials to get them through?
Our drivers are available for free of charge errand running during this difficult time for anyone who may need it. Whether this is food shopping, picking up prescriptions or anything else we can do, the Barnes team will be happy to help!
All our drivers will be in ‘Barnes’ branded vehicles, and are all DBS cleared.
This is available for our usual pickup area for our holiday tours, see our website here for which areas we can offer this to > https://www.barnescoaches.co.uk/holiday-pickups
For all errand requests, please call the Barnes office on 01793 821303 option 1 or email [email protected]
#KeepSafe! - Barnes Coaches Team
GWR: Reduced timetable in response to government advice against non-essential travel. The new timetable will come into force on Monday March 23rd. Full details of the new timetable will appear at http://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/check-your-journey
GWR : Refunds for train passengers who cancel due to non-essential travel advice.
Tesco: From Thursday 19 March the following changes will be implemented to help customers and staff
To ensure more people have access to everyday essentials, we are introducing a storewide restriction of only 3 items per customer on every product line, and removing multi-buy promotions.
In order to allow Tesco colleagues to focus on stocking shelves, helping to provide the essential groceries you are looking for and to avoid waste, we will close all meat, fish, deli counters and salad bars.
To be able to ensure our stores are clean, that we can replenish stock, and allow our colleagues to rest, we will change our trading hours with all stores closing at 10pm.
To ensure we are doing everything possible to reduce the risk of infection for both our customers and colleagues, we will be introducing some distancing measures at the checkout and, to make it swifter, invite customers who can, to pay by card.
To help free up slots for the more vulnerable, such as our elderly customers and those who are self-isolating, we are encouraging customers who shop online or choose Click+Collect for their grocery home shopping, to prioritise shopping in-store where possible.
To ensure our more vulnerable and elderly customers can shop in-store, we will prioritise one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9-10am (except in our Express stores) and ask that you respect this
Asda is working to support our customers – particularly those in vulnerable groups – and our communities, our supply chain and our colleagues during the Covid-19 outbreak.
For our customers:
- Tomorrow, our larger stores will be prioritising elderly and vulnerable customers, and their carers, from opening until 9am. We are asking other customers to leave their shopping until later in the day, allowing those who need essentials to be able to get them first thing
- Customers are now able to buy only up to three of any product across all food items, toiletries and cleaning products, to help everyone get what they need
- We are temporarily closing non-essential services, such as rotisserie and pizza counters, allowing us to free up space and time for colleagues
- We are temporarily limiting the opening hours of some stores to ensure they have time to restock and thoroughly clean
- We’re asking online customers to advise us when ordering if they are self-isolating so we can make adjustments to their delivery
For our colleagues:
- They will receive full pay if they need to isolate due to coronavirus
- Where colleagues have been identified as being part of a vulnerable group and need to self-isolate, they will receive full pay for the full 12 weeks to protect their health
For those out of work:
- We are working with more than 20 companies to take on workers whose normal jobs have been impacted by Covid-19 – including Moto motorway services and Menzies, who operate airport baggage handling. Colleagues from these companies will be offered shifts or a temporary secondments to Asda roles, ensuring individuals remain in work and companies do not have the additional pressure of staff costs during this crisis
- We’re also offering quick-start, temporary contracts in our stores and distribution centres for people looking for work
For our suppliers:
- We are paying our small suppliers immediately to help them keep their business operating
- We’re providing a three month rent holiday to around 250 small business tenants in our stores who are struggling to operate during these unprecedented times
- We are offering local cafes and restaurants the opportunity to take on additional catering services and help feed colleagues who are working around the clock to keep shelves stocked.
We are supporting the community at the moment by creating helpful articles on our site that will help people adapt to life under Coronavirus. We would be happy to help any charities and get their messages out to the public free of charge as well. Please contact [email protected]
Thames Water is urging its customers to help reduce the risk of sewer blockages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://corporate.thameswater.co.uk/media/News-releases/COVID-19-wet-wipes
Coronavirus: Help and support for small businesses in Swindon - FSB
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
Useful Links and Information
Coronavirus - Kids at home? A message for parents, carers and schools
Hello,
As the Coronavirus spreads, we’re aware that pupils’ learning is being disrupted. Parents, carers and teachers are looking for ways to ensure the continuity of education so that no children miss out on valuable learning time.
To support you during this period, Twinkl is offering every teacher in England access to all Twinkl resources with a One Month Ultimate Membership, totally free of charge. We’re also extending this to every parent and carer in your school so your pupils can still have access to high-quality learning during any periods of disruption.
Setting this up is really easy to do - go to http://www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and enter the code UKTWINKLHELPS
We’d like your support to get this message out. Please let your wider school and leadership team know about this opportunity so that you can all share it with your school community.
Please also share this code with parents and share the link above on your website so parents know where to activate their code.
We’ve also put together some helpful guidance to outline a few ideas for how you can support parents and carers during school closures, ensure high-quality learning continues and support teachers, parents and carers to make the most from this offer of help.
If you are an existing Twinkl subscriber on Core or Extra you will be able to use this code to upgrade your current membership using the same link as above.
It’s easy to arrange access yourself through our website. If you do have any questions please get in touch with our TwinklCares team. As we are supporting people globally please bear in mind that we are receiving a large number of enquiries so please only get in touch if your enquiry is of an urgent nature at [email protected]
You can also visit our website http://www.twinkl.co.uk
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Coronavirus outbreak and we hope that this will go some way towards helping.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Seaton
Twinkl CEO
Coronavirus - Practical ways to help yourself cope
Information on what to do if you're feeling low or struggling to cope
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/blog/coronavirus-and-social-isolation/
Resources
The following poster can be used if you are self isolating, elderly or vulnerable. Please feel free to print and share with anyone who may need one.
