Can YOU help Yate foodbank urgently?

Message from our local community policemen

Message from our local police

"Please could you encourage anyone reporting to you any breach of Covid-19 restrictions to contact the Police on 101 or via the online reporting form below which has now been set up. Each beat team is monitoring the number and locations of breaches in their areas to assist with their patrol plans.

The Yate Team are currently attending  Lilliput Park and Peg Hill Skate park several times throughout the shift when on duty.

Please share the above

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/breach-of-covid-19-restrictions/"

We want to add thanks to our local beat police officers who are putting themselves at risk of the virus by going out talking to people to try to stop dangerous behaviour, but also helping people get out and about. Having local officers who know our area is really good in this situation.

yate and Sodbury COVID-SUpport Group

Yate and Sodbury Neighbours Scheme Covid-19 – Help and Support

 Yate Town Council is working in partnership with this local community group, churches and other parishes to provide information and support as well as co-ordinating volunteers for streets throughout Yate, Dodington and Chipping Sodbury.

The Facebook page has gathered a lot of momentum  -   up to 3,707 members today with a lot of daily activity.

If you would like to keep abreast of what is going on or think you might be able to volunteer in any way, or indeed need help yourself then please ask to join the Facebook page   

https://www.facebook.com/groups/650869675671695/members/

Support for local businesses

If you are a local business, S Glos may have been in touch with you.  But if they have not been in touch, contact the  Business Rates team at the address below or on 01454 867700 to find out how youcan get access to the central government help announced last Friday. It isn't just about business rates, it accesses all the government support.

https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/information-for-businesses-and-employers/

Not an April fool

COVID-19 local information

COVID-19 local info

Two places to go for authoritative local info - the COVID-19 facebook group and Yate Town Council has set up a website:

We are posting news from official sources. If you pick up info about eg changed shop opening hours, do please let us know and we will post.

http://www.yatetowncouncil.gov.uk/council-news/covid-19/

Help for the vulnerable.

 South Gloucestershire Community Aid hub  has a list of groups working to support the most vulnerable so please pass it on to anyone you think might need help: www.southglos.gov.uk/communityaiddirectory 

And please would community groups  add their name to the directory by signing up here www.southglos.gov.uk/communityaid  

Town Council launches COVID-19 Battle Fund.

Are you involved in a group working in our community to tackle COVID isolation? Yate Town Council has found some money it can divert and set up a Battle Fund. Local groups can apply for emergency cash to help their work. Just go to http://www.yatetowncouncil.gov.uk/council-news/covid-19/ for the form and guidelines. Councillors and staff will turn applications around as quickly as they can. This is on top of the £4000 the Town Council has given to the foodbank so far. Town Councillors and the finance officers are working through every item of spending planned, to see what can be postponed to next year and the money freed up for the fight.

If organisations are looking to use some of their club balances to help the fight, either give it direct to the foodbank, or you could give it to the Town Council Battle Fund.

Help for businesses from South Glos

Some local small businesses have had a letter from Liam Dewsbury at South Glos asking for bank information and linking to a  South Glos web form. A resident asked us to check as they thought it might be a scam, but on Sunday (yes S Glos staff are working Sundays in the crisis) the Director of Finance has confirmed this is from S Glos.  Make sure you are only inputting your details into the web form on a South Glos official site. If you have any doubts, get in touch with us and we can check.

cancelled town council events

MOTs to be extended

Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020 - GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020

Parks and play areas now closed

 

concessionary bus times extended

As a result of coronavirus and news that some supermarkets will be opening just for older people or those with a disability for their first hour of the day, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is extending the hours when concessionary bus passes can be used.

Time restriction for use of the Diamond Travelcard (concessionary pass) will be relaxed from Monday 23 March, so people can travel free at any time on journeys starting in the WECA and North Somerset areas. This will be reviewed at the end of June. At the moment holders of a Diamond Travelcard bus pass for eligible older and disabled people can travel on any local bus for free after 9am Mondays to Fridays and all day at weekends.

First Bus announce SATURDAY Timetable from Monday 23rd

First Bus are switching to Saturday timetables from Monday


https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/coronavirus-first-bus-timetable-saturday-3958007

Yate Town Council and COVID19

A network of local groups including churches, voluntary groups and the town council are trying to provide support to the vulnerable. Please, being careful about social distancing, check on your elderly or vulnerable neighbours, Contact the town council if you need help. 

volunteers wanted

If anyone has time or knows of others with the capacity to help, Facebook group Yate and Sodbury Covid-19 Help & Support are looking for neighbourhood volunteers, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/650869675671695/

Fresh air and mental wellbeing.

The government's web page on "social distancing" contains some useful hints about mental wellbeing.

It suggests for example "Keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or get outside into the garden. You can also go for a walk outdoors if you stay more than 2 metres from others" And wash your hands as soon as you get home.

If you're feeling well, this could be an ideal time to explore one of our larger local open spaces like Yate Common or Wapley Bushes.  

For more information about going out - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Coronavirus and door handles

Today's Coronavirus tip - blindingly obvious, but worth restating.

Apart from using soap and HOT water to wash your hands frequently,  the virus can live on metal surfaces like door handles for a while (expert views differ about the exact time, but long enough for you to pick it up. 

Do you need to use your hand to open the door?

Wash your hands frequently (and wash door knobs frequently in public places)

Corona 3: pedestrian crossings

Remember - a new cough or a fever - stay home and self isolate for 7 days.
Think about elderly neighbours
Here is an NHS advice video this time on using pedestrian crossings! 

But don't forget proper hand washing is key.
Every small thing we do can help.

Cash and coronavirus spread.

Can you avoid using cash? This NHS video gives advice on using cash machines to get money out - think how many people have touched those keys in the past few hours.

Official agencies  are asking people to think about using contactless cards rather than cash. Cash is a really good way of spreading germs. Contactless card's aren't perfect, but official advice is to think about using contactless rather than cash. You will see places like the Leisure Centre now have signs up saying -  please use contactless rather than cash.

Every little helps in containing the spread.

Coronavirus advice 1: handwashing

Coronavirus may dominate our next few months. As councillors we have been advised to: 1.Alert local residents to this list of key resources: NHS main Coronavirus page NHS common questions answered Best practice to discourage disinformation is to say 'Don't believe what you read UNLESS it's from the NHS'. Then direct people to NHS pages*. However if you are determined to check out a rumour, and can't find it on the NHS pages, go to the Full Fact pages on Coronavirus. Public Health England's Coronavirus hub - more in depth and even allows you to download posters that you can print yourself. Today we have uploaded the handwashing video from NHS England, and will be uploading others in coming days.  2. Update people on any changes to local services. It's likely that councils and many organisations will need to change services. If we hear of anything being changed we will let you know via this page - but don't assume we will hear so let us know if you spot something. 3. Suggest that people check in on an elderly or vulnerable person before the government recommends social distancing. This will mean that there's a plan to help them with the shopping (etc) if they need it while isolated.  (We'd add, make sure you do a good handwash before you go round so you minimise the risk of taking the virus in to them). 4. We are looking at switching from public meetings to on line meetings - and carefully following government advice about this. HELP STOP THE FALSE INFO - DON'T REPEAT IT * Best practice is to not repeat false information, even to debunk it. This is because our brains confuse familiarity with truth. So even hearing a lie debunked, can make us believe that the lie is true.  If you are interested in reading more about this then Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman's book Thinking Fast & Slow provides many academic studies that explain this.