Tag: #Coronavirus

Test and Trace News From Dorset Council

Tomorrow, 24 September, the Government is launching a new Test and Trace app to help prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

We are lucky to still have a relatively low infection rate here in Dorset and the app will help this trend continue. Everyone who downloads the app is helping to prevent the spread of the virus by notifying users if they have come into contact with someone who may later test positive for coronavirus.

From tomorrow you will be able to go to your usual app store on your smartphone and download the app – search for NHS COVID-19. Some features of the app include risk alerts by postcode, a symptom checker and test booking.  Please be assured that the app tracks the virus, not the individual.

It is also now mandatory for some businesses and organisations to have a system in place to collect visitor data and keep it for 21 days. The Council have contacted Dorset’s businesses, their town and parish councils and their own local council services about this new legal requirement and have asked them to display NHS QR code posters in their properties ahead of the app launch tomorrow.

The venues affected include those in the following sectors:
• hospitality
• leisure and tourism
• close contact services (such as salons)
• places of worship
• local authority venues (such as Libraries, Registration Offices, Leisure Centres and Town and Village Halls)
From tomorrow we should start seeing these businesses with the NHS QR posters in their venues for customers and users to check-in with the new NHS COVID-app at that location.

If we all download and start using the app, we will be doing our bit to keep each other safe and stop infection rates in Dorset rising.

For more information on how to download and use the app – click HERE.

What if you don’t have a smartphone? Don’t worry if you don’t have a smartphone, businesses may continue to collect customers’ data using a log book or other paper method.

For all questions about the app please click HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Coronavirus,#Covid-19,#TestAndTrace,#SocialDistancing,#App,#BeKind,#StaySafe

It’s OK Not To Be OK

Suicide figures have increased by 200% since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown six months ago. This pandemic has brought unexpected change and uncertainty and will have a lasting impact on everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.  The Samaritans are a registered charity in England and Wales (219432) and in Scotland (SC040604).
The Samaritans are there to listen, no judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what’s on your mind. They never tell you what to do.  Their services are free and confidential.

You can call: 116 123 Any hour of the day. Any day of the year. Anytime.

The charity surveyed almost 2,000 men aged 20 to 59 to find out how the pandemic restrictions have affected their mental health and support networks. 42% of the men questioned felt that the restrictions have had a negative impact on their mental health, with loneliness and/or isolation, anxiety, financial worries and separation from loved ones among their concerns.

Depression and AnxietyDue to the impact of the coronavirus, callers are experiencing longer wait times so they have provided a list of resources with a range of different organisations HERE covering the extensive list of categories below:

  • Addiction
  • Benefits & Rights
  • Bereavement
  • Carers
  • Children and Young People
  • Counselling
  • Crisis Pregnancy
  • Debt, Poverty and Social Exclusion
  • Eating Disorders
  • Emotional Text Support
  • Health
  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Loneliness and Isolation
  • Mental Health
  • Military
  • NHS (Staff only)
  • Older People
  • Relationships
  • Sexuality
  • Sexual Abuse (Abused)
  • Sexual Abuse (Abuser)
  • Victims Of Crime

If you need help with any of these things – get further information from the Samaritans HERE.

Can You Help? Find out more about becoming a volunteer for the Samaritans HERE. Then register your interest online and your enquiry will be sent to your chosen branch and they will be in touch.

Shout 85258Shout 85258

Launched in May 2019, Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK.

Shout support people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support. As a digital service, Shout 85258 has become increasingly critical since Covid-19, being one of the few mental health support services able to operate as normal at this time.

Can You Help? Click HERE to become a volunteer for Shout.

Shout 85258 is the first service from Mental Health Innovations and is a registered charity (1175670).

Its Ok Not To Be Ok

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Samaritans,#Shout85258,#MentalHealthAwareness,#Covid-19,#Coronavirus,#Desperate,#Suicide,#Abuse,#BeKind,#Volunteer, #ItsOkNotToBeOk,#StaySafe

 

Mobile Covid-19 Testing Back at Westbay

A mobile coronavirus testing site has returned to West Bay.

It will be at West Bay Road car park until Wednesday, August 26th.

Anyone with coronavirus symptons are urged to book a test.

To book, please visit HERE.

#Broadwindsor #WestDorset #Coronavirus #Covid-19 #MobileTesting #Westbay #SocialDistancing #StaySafe

2nd Round of Grant Applications Now Open for the Self Employed

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) – the Government grant to self-employed individuals whose businesses have been adversely affected by coronavirus – is made up of two grants. The first grant closed on 13 July 2020, but the second and final grant opened for applications on 17 August 2020. The last date to apply is 19 October 2020.

You don’t need to have claimed the first grant to receive the second grant. And if you’ve claimed the first, you can claim the second as long as you’re still eligible.

The first grant is for those whose ‘business was impacted by Covid-19 before 13 July’, and the second is for those ‘impacted by Covid-19 on or after 14 July‘. If impacted before and after the dates, you are due both.

You need to apply via the official Government claims portal HERE. Not sure you’re eligible? The application will tell you if not.

To apply, or check, you need the following information:

  • Self-assessment unique taxpayer reference (UTR) – if you do not have this, find out how to get your lost UTR HERE.
  • National insurance (NI) number – if you do not have this, find out how to get your lost NI number HERE.
  • Government Gateway user ID and password – if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you make your claim.
  • UK bank details (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted) including the: bank account number, sort code, name on the account, address linked to your bank account. IMPORTANT: You must make the claim yourself. Your tax agent or financial adviser must not claim on your behalf as this will trigger a fraud alert.

Not all self-employed people can access this help – for example, if you earn more than £50,000 a year, or if less than half of your income is from self-employment. If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, unfortunately you won’t be able to claim, but there are other things you can try:
The Government small business bounce back loans can be used to SUPPORT YOUR INCOME, including for those with no other support (eg, newly self-employed, limited company directors). Since Monday 4 May, the new 100% state-backed bounce back loans, for up to £50,000, have been available. They’re interest-free and payment-free in the first year – so pay it off then and it’s no cost, and at a very low 2.5% annual interest after that.

#Broadwindsor #WestDorset #SEISS #GovernmentGrant #SelfEmployed #Coronavirus #Covid-19 #StaySafe

Dorset Jobs for Young People on Twitter – Thursday, August 13th

Are you or do you know a young person looking for work? Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, there are still jobs out there to apply to.

On Thursday, August 13th at 3pm – login to Twitter to take part in the #DorsetYPJobsHour.
You’ll have to Follow them on Twitter to engage in conversation.

They’ll be tweeting between 3pm and 4pm.

For more information on starting out in work, job search ideas, advice for job seekers and those in redundancy – click HERE.

#Broadwindsor #WestDorset #Twitter #DorsetYPJobsHour #Work #Apprenticeships #Advice #BeResponsible #SocialDistancing #StaySafe

Happy 150th Anniversary to the British Red Cross

Inspired by Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant and originally called the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War in 1870, it would be renamed the British Red Cross in 1905 becoming part of an international movement of humanitarian organisations offering aid in disasters and health crises.

Granted its first Royal Charter in 1908 by HM King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra then became its president. Our Queen has been a patron of the organisation for 65 years and Prince Charles has been president of the Red Cross since 2003.

All Red Cross programs and activities are guided by their 7 Fundamental Principles:

  1. Humanity
  2. Impartiality
  3. Neutrality
  4. Independence
  5. Voluntary Service
  6. Unity 
  7. Universality

The British Red Cross refuse to ignore people in crisis. They help people cope with disasters, conflicts and personal crises.
To donate to their UK Coronavirus Response Appeal, by card or PayPal – Click HERE.
To learn more of the history and work of the British Red Cross, visit their website – HERE.

#Broadwindsor #WestDorset #UK #BritishRedCross #CrisisAppeal #Donate #Coronavirus #Community #Volunteers #StaySafe

 

The Dorset Council Community Impact Fund (DCIF) Round 5 – Apply Now

The Dorset Council Community Impact Fund (DCIF) Round 5 (Coronavirus Support) has launched to support local charities, and voluntary organisations that are providing support and assistance to help Dorset’s most vulnerable people and their communities to recover after the recent Coronavirus outbreak.

New applications are now being accepted and the fund closes at midnight on Sunday, 20th September 2020. Award decisions will be confirmed from the end of August through to the end of September 2020.

Organisations and community groups can apply for up to £5,000. New and emerging groups (those with less than 6 months delivery experience and who may not have the normal governance in place) can apply for up to £1,000 provided they have a referee who will endorse their application and manage the funds on their behalf.
Organisations awarded a grant will need to be able to commence delivery of their project/activities within six weeks of being awarded funding. Groups will need to use their funding by end of March 2021.

Who can apply? Who is eligible?

  • registered charities including charitable incorporated organisations
  • constituted community croups
  • community benefit societies
  • social enterprises (companies limited by guarantee with a not-for-profit clause)
  • CICs (must be limited by guarantee and have community benefit objectives)
  • parish councils (if funded activities are not deemed part of statutory duties and must also have a voluntary and community sector partner to support delivery)
  • town councils (if funded activities are not deemed part of their statutory duties and must also have a voluntary and community sector partner to support delivery)
  • places of worship and religious organisations (if funded activities are not promoting religion)
  • new and emerging groups – please see information below
  • school PTA’s
  • all of the above must be local or regional organisations; local branches of national charities are eligible if they are financially independent and separately managed
  • CIC’s will also need to provide an ‘Asset Lock’ statement and copy of their Memorandum or Articles of Association

All organisations applying (apart from new and emerging groups) must have:

  • a management committee, trustees or board of directors with at least three unrelated members
  • a written constitution or set of rules that sets out the purpose and management of the organisation
  • a bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated cheque signatories

Please read through the full guidelines HERE (a new window will open) before applying.

If you have read the guidelines and are ready to apply, click HERE.

If you want to chat through your project before applying or have a specific question you can contact any of the following:

  1. Policy and Performance Officer (Grants) – Ian Wells
    ian.wells@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
    Tel: 01305 224307

  2. External funding and grants manager – Laura Cornette
    laura.cornette@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
    Tel: 01305 224306

Good Luck!

#Broadwindsor #Dorset #Funding #DCIF #CommunityGroups #Voluntary #Volunteers #Covid-19 #Coronavirus #ApplyNow

Update from Broadwindsor Fun Group

Broadwindsor Fun Day 2021 will be Saturday, June 12th.

Dear fellow Broadwindsor residents and friends,

I write in my role as the Chair of the Broadwindsor Fun Group and hope that this update finds you safe and well.

At the time of putting this piece together the virus is still ever present and the ease of restrictions has been halted with regional lockdowns being put in place. Despite this the Broadwindsor Fun Group have started to look forward to happier times in effort to plan events. The toll on fundraising towards the Fun day to be held on 12th June 2021 has been heavy. I am grateful for the work carried out by committee members to reduce any losses regarding the cancellation of these.

On the positive side we are already negotiating with entertainers to appear at the Fun day in 2021. You may have seen a request for ideas for a theme. Some really good ones have been put forward including something around the Olympics and the European football and a more generic idea of  ‘Your Hero’.
More ideas are very welcome (please submit your ideas to:  bwfunday20@gmail.com).

Whilst we do feel able to start planning for the Fun day next year, we have had to make the difficult decision to not hold a fireworks event this year. The main reasons for this revolve around the virus and fears that even if the situation eased, many may not attend. I have looked at this matter carefully and would seek to inform you that I do not believe that the running of a fireworks evening is viable. Traditionally this event is a loss maker but nevertheless held for the community to enjoy. Should it be held this year, it is projected that we would make a loss of circ. £450. That is assuming that people would attend and still put money in the buckets etc. I have considered approaches to local companies for sponsorship but decided against this as they are most likely struggling to restart after the lockdown and I feel it would be wrong to ask for financial backing. This is not to say that approaches will not be made at a later date as we do need sponsorship for the Fun day itself!

This all said, we do hope to be in a position to run fundraising events such as a Christmas Fayre and Big Breakfast so that the Fun Day 2021 can go ahead bigger and better than ever.

Anyone seeking to hold any such events are asked to communicate with the Fun group so that we can avoid duplication etc. and support each other.

Regards,

Adrian Gray
Chair, Broadwindsor Fun Group

bwfunday20@gmail.com

 

#Broadwindsor #BroadwindsorFunGroup #FunDay2021 #WestDorset #Village #12/06/21 #Fundraising #Covid-19 #BeResponsible #SocialDistancing #StaySafe

 

 

Chairman on BBC Radio Solent

Apologies for not giving fair warning – but you can listen to what the Chairman of Broadwindsor Community Stores, Andrew Hookings, had to say in a seven minute interview on BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast Show this morning.
Please click on the link below, fast forward it to 47mins, 15 seconds and you’ll hear Andrew being introduced by Steve Harris discussing the affect of Covid-19 has had on our community stores and how the shop was successful in securing a grant from the Dorset Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.

Listen to Andrew’s interview HERE (Interview no longer available) (at 47m 15s).

Dorset Community Foundation

To find out more about the Dorset Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund click HERE.

BROADWINDSOR COMMUNITY STORES ARE LAUNCHING THEIR NEW CLICK AND COLLECT WEBSITE ON SATURDAY AUGUST, 1ST 2020 🙂

Click and Collect from Broadwindsor Community Stores

 

#Broadwindsor #BroadwindsorCommunityStores #WestDorset #Community #Village #Volunteers #Covid-19 #DorsetCommunityFoundation #CoronavirusFund #BBCSolentRadio #SteveHarris #BreakfastShow #ClickAndCollect #SocialDistancing #StaySafe

Comrades Hall 100 Club

The Broadwindsor 100 Club draw that was due to take place on the 2nd June will now take place at the Comrades Hall on Tuesday 21st July at 11am.
Joyce thanks you for your patience.

The Post Office Outreach service will also be there 10am – 12 noon.

#Broadwindsor #Dorset #StaySafe #SocialDistancing #100Club #ComradesHall #PostOffice #Community