Dear Support Group volunteers,
*ID Photos*
Thanks to all of you who have been sending your photos for ID cards. We're
working through the list, prioritising people who have already been linked
with a request for assistance. If you haven't sent in a photo yet, and
would appreciate an ID card while shopping for others, please send it to
mvv(a)milton.org.uk.
*How the Group Works*
A few people have been asking for more details on how the group is
running. Thanks to help from a local software developer, we have a system
that's now running pretty well. Requests come in via email (
covidmilton(a)gmail.com) or by phone (07933 550989). These is covered by a
rota of 9 people doing a few days at a time. The software matches each
request to a few nearby volunteers, and the person "on call" will ring
volunteers to check whether they are happy to cover the particular request.
We've now been able to respond to nearly 60 requests for help of various
sorts - well done! We have around 150 volunteers, so don't worry if you
haven't been asked yet for something specific - it's a good sign that we're
not yet overwhelmed!
I've attached the latest version of our "Information for volunteers", which
is based on the latest advice from government and national charities.
*Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)*
If you have the capacity to make or supply PPE for either Milton Surgery or
Edmund Trust (supported living in Milton for adults with learning
disabilities), please get in touch via email: admin.miltonsurgery(a)nhs.net or
info(a)edmundtrust.org.uk.
*Supporting You*
Finally, while we are matching up individual requests with volunteers, we'd
also like to help support all of you with the more ad-hoc help for
neighbours and friends that we know is also going in in the village in
great amounts.
I'm attaching again the letter you can show local shows asking them to
waive item limits if you're *shopping for multiple households*.
We can help you with the following:
- Hand sanitiser
- A thermometer
- Feminine hygiene products & incontinence pads
- DVDs, jigsaws
- Free B&B rooms (no breakfast!) for anyone who needs to be away from
others/closer to a relative
We are also putting useful *links on the website*:
https://www.milton.org.uk/milton-covid-19-support-group/. They include
information for businesses and residents on a range of topics, such as
financial support, anti-scam information and voucher schemes. Please do
pass these links on to anyone you know who might find them useful.
There are many ways that the current emergency can put strain on
households, and council officers are keen to provide support as needed. If
you have *any concerns about a friend or neighbour*, please get in touch
via safeguarding(a)allsaintsmilton.org.uk or call Linda Henderson on 07801
156157. All information will be handled sensitively, within local
authority reporting structures to access the appropriate source of support.
All the best,
Mary-Ann
Dear volunteers,
As the lockdown is likely to get stricter, we're going to make ID cards for
this group. That way, you have something to show to shops and to the
person/household you're helping, to show that you're part of the Milton
support group.
To help with this, please could you send me a photograph of yourself that
we can use on the card? It may take some time to work through all of
these, so we'll start with the volunteers who have already been asked to
pick up shopping, etc..
Thanks,
Mary-Ann
Dear Milton Covid-19 support group volunteers,
There have been a lot of questions and information flying around in the
last week or so, so I'll try to highlight the most useful parts!
*Webpage*
The "home page" for this group is here:
https://www.milton.org.uk/milton-covid-19-support-group/
We've added links to:
* the volunteer information document (*will be updated as new guidance is
published*)
* the web page for adding new volunteers or requesting help
* useful external links (SCDC
<https://www.scambs.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/parish-councils/corona…>
guidance,
NHS, government, etc.)
*If you spot a link which might be useful to add to this page, please me
know.*
*Opening Hours*
*Post Office*: currently open Mon - Fri, 9am-2pm only.
*Milton Tesco*: currently open 6am-10pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Mon, Weds &
Fri 9-10am is priority time for more vulnerable or elderly residents. On
Sundays, NHS staff can start shopping from 9am (tills open at 10am).
*Note*: Reports suggest that other nearby supermarkets are less busy and
often better stocked than Milton Tesco - e.g. Arbury Budgens, Aldi, etc.
*FAQs*
What's happening about the food waste trial in the Rowans?
- It's continuing, despite the lack of green bin collection. See
https://www.scambs.gov.uk/foodwastetrial
Can I deliver newspapers to my neighbours?
- Some vulnerable people may insist on going to the shops daily themselves
for their newspaper if it is not delivered, putting themselves at higher
risk. Others will be happy to try out online newspapers. You need to do
what you think is best in the situation you find yourself in, while
encouraging everyone to stay home as much as possible.
How can I shop for others when supermarkets are limiting how many items I
can buy?
- SCDC have created a template letter that you can take with you - see
attached.
Should I sign up to the NHS volunteering scheme separately?
- At this point, the NHS volunteering scheme is separate from mutual
support groups. If you are in a position to help the NHS directly, please
do!
What's happening about government food parcels for vulnerable people?
- See the SCDC pages linked above. This scheme is getting underway, and
local support groups like this one will be asked to help at some point.
When we know more, we will let you know.
*Offers*
We have offers from various volunteers of:
- Hand sanitiser
- A thermometer
- Feminine hygiene products & incontinence pads
- DVDs, jigsaws
- Free B&B rooms (no breakfast!) for anyone who needs to be away from
others/closer to a relative
If you know someone who could make use of any of these, please let me know,
and I'll put you in touch with the person offering. Or if you have *anything
to offer *which could be of use, let me know, and we'll send it round in
the next update. Please observe social distancing guidelines, minimise any
contact and wipe any surfaces with a soap solution when borrowing/lending
things.
*Funding*
There is a fund available to cover emerging issues in the community,
affecting older people (aged 60 and over) and other vulnerable people (high
risk, pre-existing medical conditions), as a result of the continuing
threat of Covid-19. This will include; the need for self-isolation,
financial hardship, potential for hunger, lack of shelter, further
exacerbation of health issues, loneliness and isolation of these people.
For details, see
https://www.cambscf.org.uk/cambridgeshire-coronavirus-community-fund.html.
If you know of a need in Milton that could be helped by this fund, please
let me know, and we'll see what's possible.
*Posters*
If you would like to put up posters in your local area reminding people of
the latest guidance, you can download them from:
https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/101-coronavirus-/r…
...and finally, if *anyone in your household starts showing any possible
symptoms *(fever, new persistent cough, you *MUST NOT* continue to help
other households - instead, email covidmilton(a)gmail.com and we will find
someone else to cover instead.
Thanks,
Mary-Ann
Hi all,
To help with communication, we've set up an email list for all the people
who've offered to help others in Milton during the Coronavirus outbreak.
We now have over 130 volunteers available to help their neighbours, with
over 20 requests for help so far matched to volunteers. As you'll have
seen in the news, the number of cases of Covid-19 is expected to rise
dramatically in the coming weeks, so it feels like this is the tip of the
iceberg so far.
Hopefully you'll have received a copy of the volunteer information pack by
email. If not, you can download it from the support group web page:
https://www.milton.org.uk/milton-covid-19-support-group/
At the moment, we're concentrating on making sure that we can handle the
requests for food, prescriptions, dog walking, post and phone calls. We've
had lots of other suggestions, but as we're all volunteers, trying to
juggle this around day jobs and in some cases looking after children at
home, or supporting close friends, this group will focus on making sure
that no essential needs are overlooked.
We're also trying to keep to the spirit of the law, not just the letter of
it, minimising interactions between people wherever possible - so, while in
other circumstances, we'd love to help people (e.g.) share jigsaws, books,
and help with newspaper deliveries, we don't feel that's appropriate in
this situation, as we need to everything possible to slow the spread of
this virus. However, don't underestimate the power of a phone call -
please do call your neighbours for a chat, or help them to connect with
others online if they're unsure how to do that.
If you need to get in touch with the co-ordinating group (in no particular
order, Mary-Ann Johnson, David Chamberlin, Anna Bradnam, Jane Coston, Chris
Thomas, Kathy English, Jackie Metcalfe, Maria Gloag, Harrie McEwan and
Linda Henderson), email covid19(a)lists.milton.org.uk.
We'll try to keep you all updated with the latest information as we get it,
but in the meantime, hope you all stay well, and if you start showing any
symptoms (fever, dry cough), please let us know straight away, so we can
find alternative volunteers as needed.
Thanks!
Mary-Ann
