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Coronavirus Information

Contents:

1. Latest news
2. Brentwood Covid-19 Mutual Aid
3. Brentwood Residents Action Group
4. Brentwood/Billericay Food Banks
5. General Information

If you have any information which would be of use to our listeners in the Brentwood and Billericay area please contact us.

LATEST NEWS

Ongar Music Club has cancelled this year’s Essex Young Musician of the Year competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the guidance available from HM Government.

Ongar Music Club chairman Jane Webster said: “The committee feels that there is no alternative but to cancel this year’s Essex Young Musician of the Year competition.

“The next competition will be in 2021, but the age limit will be raised to 26 for that one occasion therefore no entrants will miss the opportunity of entering the competition as it has been deferred for one year.”

If you live in Essex, have a sight and/or hearing loss and need support or advice please call the Essex Sensory Service on 0333 013 3262 or email sensoryservices@essexcares.org.

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is running a series of webinars to help local businesses manage the current crisis. You can register here – places are limited.

Essex County Council has issued guidance to help with family mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. You can read it here.

With funding from the Billericay Mayflower Rotary Club, Citizens Advice South Essex has launched a new helpline offering information, advice and guidance. The helpline is available on 01277 358080 and there is also an e-mail service on info@citizensadvicesouthessex.org.uk. After the coronavirus crisis has passed, Citizens Advice plan to open a face-to-face service at different locations across Billericay.

The UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. You can find out how to access this here.

Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Chris Hossack, has just updated listeners with the latest news. You can hear his interview here.

An urgent appeal has just been launched by Essex County Council for any small businesses to donate any unused Personal Protective Equipment they may have within their stock. Click here for more information.

Essex County Council has set up a new service to help vulnerable people in our community who are staying at home and in need of support during the coronavirus period.

The Essex Welfare Service is for people who are unable to access the support they need at this time. Support is available by calling 0300 303 9988 or emailing provide.essexwelfareservice@nhs.net.

More details can be found at https://essexwelfareservice.org/ and there is also a Facebook group here.

Contactless card limit increasing from £30 to £45 on 1 Apr. This is to reduce personal contact, though it may take some time to filter through to all retailers. Contactless limits often don’t apply to mobile phone contactless payments.

Local accordionist Alex Southgate is playing live on YouTube every afternoon at 2.30 – primarily aimed at care home residents but anyone can listen in. For more information check out his YouTube channel here.

The National Crime Agency today warned that organised crime groups may try to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to target the UK. You can read their warning here.

Brentwood Borough Council has published an update concerning its parks, car parks, cemeteries and refuse collection. You can read the latest position here.

Landons solicitors have issued a message to all its clients, which you can read here.

Strict new curbs on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus have been announced by the prime minister. You can read them here.

Local businesses who have questions or concerns about the changing situation on Covid-19 and how it impacts their business can visit Brentwood Borough Council’s dedicated information page at http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/coronavirus or email business@brentwood.gov.uk.

The CEO of Saint Francis Hospice, Pam Court, has put out an appeal asking for donations during these difficult times, so that they can continue to provide care and help to more than 4,000 people across the boroughs of Brentwood, Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge.

The Chicken and Frog Bookshop is now delivering books to customers – 01277 230068 or email info@chickenandfrog.co.uk for more information. The bookshop is also Skyping lessons as well as continuing face to face, for now.

BRENTWOOD COVID-19 MUTUAL AID

Brentwood COVID-19 Mutual Aid is a self-organising community Facebook group to support the vulnerable and isolated in our community during the Covid-19 outbreak.

If you need help you can email admin@brentwood-mutual-aid.org or put a post up on the Facebook page. There is also a signup link where you can offer your services as a volunteer.

You can find the group on Facebook here and the volunteer sign-up page here.

BRENTWOOD RESIDENTS ACTION GROUP

If you are over 60, with no support and self-isolating, then help is at hand.

Brentwood Residents Action Group has been set up to deliver boxes of essential food supplies to those in need.

At the moment the group has over 80 volunteers, all of whom hold DBS certificates.

For more details call 07961 972917, visit Brag Brentwood on Facebook, or also www.brag-brentwood.co.uk on the web.

The group has been set up by regular Phoenix FM contributor Molly Miller.

BRENTWOOD/BILLERICAY FOOD BANKS

Local food banks currently operating include:

Doddinghurst Road Community Church, 56-60 Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood CM15 9EH
Open: Tuesday 11am–1pm, Wednesday 11am–1pm

Daily Bread Pop Up Café, St Peter’s Church, Claughton Way, Hutton CM13 1JS
Open: Tuesday 9am-12pm, Thursday 8pm-9pm, Sunday 10.30am-11.30am
• Foodbank vouchers are not required here

Breakthru Church, The Christian Centre, 65 Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton CM13 2QH. Tel 01277 229189
Open: Monday 10am–12pm, Thursday 10am-12pm

St John’s Church, Outwood Common Road, Billericay CM11 2LE. Tel 07707 466262
Open: Tuesday 2pm-3pm

Foodbanks take a wide range of food items and a typical parcel will include cereal, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, beans, tinned meat, tinned veg, tea and coffee, tinned fruit and biscuits.

On top of that they also take in a variety of non-food items, such as toiletries and hygiene products, including

• Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes
• Household items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid
• Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons
• Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food.

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is important that everyone keeps up to date with the latest information about Coronavirus (Covid-19) at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature

• a new continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

• your condition gets worse

• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Stay At Home advice can be found here at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Please check the NHS website regularly for updates.