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Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Information for Greenwich Residents - 30.04.21
Fri 30 Apr 2021Sent on behalf of:
Abu Bah - Engagement Lead, Thamesmead Moorings
Khadijah Ahmed, Engagement Lead, Plumstead and Glyndon
Philip Connolly, Engagement Lead, Charlton
Rahman Famuditimi – Engagement Lead, Woolwich Common
Abu Siddiki – Engagement Lead, Woolwich RiversideLouise Botfield – Engagement Lead, Sutcliffe Park (Page Estate)
Brenda Mason – Engagement Lead, Greenwich Peninsula (Caletock & Flamsteed Estates)We would love to hear your stories, advice or tips – whether that’s something that’s helped you through this difficult time, a recipe you’ve enjoyed, ideas for things to do as a family, a new walk you’ve discovered or how you’ve adapted to an everchanging situation.
As before, we would really like to encourage you to share the following information through:
- friends or family who live in your area
- local networks
- neighbour or community groups you may be members of
- with people who you come into regular contact with through your work or local groups
Top Tips Friday messages 30/04/2021
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is inviting local residents and members of the community to come together to develop and deliver projects to improve digital access within their community. Groups can apply to deliver one or more schemes including a tablet lending programme, a community WiFi scheme and digital skills training.
Projects will be supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to improve digital access in their community between June and September this year.
The expression of interest is open until 23:59 on the 14th May. Complete online here.
To complete over the phone, or for further information please contact digitalproject@dgcities.com.It’s Mental Health Awareness Week on 10 May, and the theme is nature. Spending time in nature can be really good for our mental health, and what better time to enjoy it than a bank holiday weekend?
We’d love to showcase your lovely photos of when you spend time in nature, whether that’s a selfie in the park, or a (socially distanced!) photo of a walk with friends or family. Please send any photos you have of yourselves in nature to Rebecca.layng@royalgreenwich.gov.uk by Thursday 6 May.With more things opening up and having a bit more freedom, it’s ok to feel low, anxious, concerned or frustrated. It’s a difficult time, and we may be facing new challenges every day.
It’s important to ask for help, and lots of support is available on Live Well Greenwich. There’s also advice for people who have, or care for someone with, a mental health problem, as well as advice for parents and carers.
Taking time to relax, connecting with others, limiting screen time, looking after your body and focusing on what you can control is all even more important than ever.
However, please don’t feel pressure to be ‘productive’ – doing things that relax you and you enjoy is key, whether that’s watching tv or films, reading or taking up a new hobby. Simply getting through the day is an achievement at the moment!
Live Well Greenwich’s ‘Look After You’ hub has lots more advice and support, whether you need a friendly chat, emotional support, or are struggling with day to day life and need help urgently.
With the Government announcing its new roadmap out of lockdown, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel for things to hopefully re-open slowly. Outdoor sports such as golf, tennis or basketball are now open, and indoor leisure centres and gyms will be opening on 12th April.
It’s still very important to follow the guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus – remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’.
Greenwich has lots of parks and open spaces to make the most of when you do go out. Just remember to stay local (within walking distance) and keep at least 2 metres from those not in your household. Visit Walking for Health to download some local maps of walks to try.
Live Well Greenwich also has lots of information, ideas and support to help you look after your body and mind – which is even more important at the moment.
Although it’s an extremely difficult time at the moment, we can get through this together and it’s important we find whatever way we can to do that. Thank you to everyone who’s already emailed their stories, we hope you enjoyed reading them.
We’d love to hear from more of you – whether that’s any positive stories you have from the last few months, tips and ideas on keeping busy, any recipes you’ve enjoyed, walks you’ve discovered, or a nice photo you’ve taken!
The community working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health.
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East, Central and southern African Communities, COVID-19 and recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
Thu 29 Apr 2021Dear Greenwich Resident,
The Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health Team would like to invite you to a workshop to discuss East, Central and southern African Communities, COVID-19 and recovery.
The Council want to work in partnership with local communities who are most at risk from Covid-19, which includes East, Central and southern African Communities. The programme over the next 5-6 months is to work with a broad range of communities, both at geographical neighbourhood levels, as well as with specific 'communities of interest.'
We are inviting you to an initial East, Central and southern African 'Communities of Interest' workshop focused on working with you. The workshop will:
· Give more background to the wider programme.
· Explore the key challenges for residents from South, East and Central African heritage in relation to the pandemic and how they have responded.
· Explore how we might work together to address key challenges, for example using community solutions, activity and assets, cross-agency and partnership working.
· Answer questions, where we can, on what's on offer to keep people safe going forward.
This first workshop is an opportunity to listen and build on our understanding of needs for East, Central and southern African Communities in Greenwich and to set the groundwork for stronger relationships and collaboration for a better, safer future.
Topic: East, Central and southern African Communities, COVID-19 and recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
Time: May 5, 2021 04:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81260488199?pwd=bWJabHphTjFyUlB3R1ZtMWtabGVGZz09
Meeting ID: 812 6048 8199
Passcode: 415268
Robin Clarke
Health and Wellbeing Strategist
Public Health and Wellbeing
Royal Borough of Greenwich
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Caribbean Community, COVID-19 and Recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
Wed 21 Apr 2021Dear Greenwich Resident,
As part of the Deep Engagement work with neighbourhoods and communities, we are preparing an initial engagement event with Caribbean communities in Greenwich on 4th May.
Please find the full invite below, and do pass on to any local Caribbean residents/organisations who might be interested in the event.
Caribbean Community, COVID-19 and Recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health Team would like to invite you to a workshop to discuss the Caribbean Community, COVID-19 and recovery.
The Council want to work in partnership with local communities who are most at risk from Covid-19, which includes the Caribbean community. The programme over the next 5-6 months is to work with a broad range of communities, both at geographical neighbourhood levels, as well as with specific 'communities of interest.'
We are inviting you to an initial Caribbean 'Community of Interest' workshop focused on working with you. The workshop will:
- Give more background to the wider programme.
- Explore the key challenges for residents from Caribbean heritage in relation to the pandemic and how they have responded.
- Explore how we might work together to address key challenges, for example using community solutions, activity and assets, cross-agency and partnership working.
- Answer questions, where we can, on what's on offer to keep people safe going forward.
This first workshop is an opportunity to listen and build on our understanding of needs for Caribbean community in Greenwich and to set the groundwork for stronger relationships and collaboration for a better, safer future.
Hosts: Royal Greenwich Public Health Team and Pastor Simon Esson
Date: Tuesday 4th May 2021
Time: 7-9pm
Online: Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84623290843?pwd=c2NqdVFrRmM5dm1ieUxlS05vLzBXZz09Meeting ID: 846 2329 0843
Passcode: 520949Robin Clarke
Health and Wellbeing Strategist
Public Health and Wellbeing
Royal Borough of Greenwich
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West African Communities, COVID-19 and Recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
Wed 21 Apr 2021Dear Greenwich Resident,
As part of the Deep Engagement work with neighbourhoods and communities, we are preparing an initial engagement event with West African communities in Greenwich on 26th April.
Please find the full invite below, and do pass on to any local West African residents/organisations who might be interested in the event.
West African Communities, COVID-19 and Recovery – Connecting Communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health Team would like to invite you to a workshop to discuss West African Communities, COVID-19 and recovery.
The Council want to work in partnership with local communities who are most at risk from Covid-19, which includes West African communities. The programme over the next 5-6 months is to work with a broad range of communities, both at geographical neighbourhood levels, as well as with specific 'communities of interest.'
We are inviting you to an initial West African 'Communities of Interest' workshop focused on working with you. The workshop will:
- Give more background to the wider programme.
- Explore the key challenges for residents from West African heritage in relation to the pandemic and how they have responded.
- Explore how we might work together to address key challenges, for example using community solutions, activity and assets, cross-agency and partnership working.
- Answer questions, where we can, on what's on offer to keep people safe going forward.
This first workshop is an opportunity to listen and build on our understanding of needs for West African communities in Greenwich and to set the groundwork for stronger relationships and collaboration for a better, safer future.
Hosts: Royal Greenwich Public Health Team and Shola Oladipo, Director, Food for Purpose
Date: Monday 26th April 2021
Time: 6-8pm
Online: Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82131994832?pwd=ZnhVSmVVUFJlZWRLVGkvMkxBWW8rZz09Meeting ID: 821 3199 4832
Passcode: 617736Robin Clarke
Health and Wellbeing Strategist
Public Health and Wellbeing
Royal Borough of Greenwich
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Information for Greenwich Residents - 20.04.21
Tue 20 Apr 2021Sent on behalf of:
Abu Bah - Engagement Lead, Thamesmead Moorings
Khadijah Ahmed, Engagement Lead, Plumstead and Glyndon
Philip Connolly, Engagement Lead, Charlton
Rahman Famuditimi – Engagement Lead, Woolwich
Abu Siddiki – Engagement Lead, Woolwich Riverside
We hope that you’re finding these weekly updates helpful. Some of the information included, around how to stay safe, where to get tested, and the support available, will be similar every week. However, each update will also include a different ‘hot topic’ which will be relevant to the current situation, plus an updated statistic for the local Greenwich area.
As before, we would really like to encourage you to share the following information through:- friends or family who live in your area
- local networks
- neighbour or community groups you may be members of
- with people who you come into regular contact with through your work or local groups
If you haven’t already, it would be really helpful if you could take a couple of minutes to fill out this survey, which allows us to understand how widely this Community Update is being used, and whether it is reaching everyone it needs to. Click here to access the short survey.
KEY MESSAGES 20/04/2021PAST 7 DAYS:
39 confirmed new cases of coronavirus in Greenwich
Cases have slightly increased, so with the first step of restrictions easing, we need to be extra careful and follow the social distancing guidelines to make sure this number doesn’t continue to increase.
2 people are in hospital right now in Greenwich because of coronavirus.
This is a low number, which is great. To keep this low, please follow social distancing guidelines, and get your vaccine when offered. The vaccine greatly reduces the risk of getting seriously ill with coronavirus.
The importance of testing
Now that restrictions are easing and we’ve moved to the next stage of the roadmap, many of us are likely to be going out more often and meeting up with more people.
One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing.
To keep the virus rates low, it’s encouraged that everyone takes a coronavirus test twice a week, and that this becomes part of your weekly routine.
Rapid testing is a lateral flow test, made up of throat and nasal swab which gives you a result within 30 minutes. This means people who test positive for the virus can self-isolate immediately, which helps prevent the virus from spreading.Ways you can get your free, twice-weekly test:
- Go to a community testing site
- Collect a home testing kit at our community testing sites
- Order a home testing kit to be sent to your home
Also, please remember: Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air.
We’re much safer in the fresh air because coronavirus particles are blown away. So meet others outside and keep a safe distance. The virus has not gone away, and cases could easily increase again if we don’t follow the guidelines. Let’s take this next step safely.Support if you’ve lost someone to coronavirus
Most people experience grief when they lose someone important to them. It affects everyone differently. There's no right or wrong way to feel.Changes have been made to several services, including end of life and palliative care, as well as funeral arrangements.
You may feel that you need some extra help and support during this time. There are local places that can help, such as Greenwich Cruse Bereavement Centre, Greenwich and Bexley Hospice as well as national helplines such as Samaritans and Sudden.
Live Well Greenwich has lots of helpful links that can hopefully help you during this difficult time.
Getting tested for coronavirus
1 in 3 people have coronavirus without knowing, so to reduce the spread, you can now get tested whether you have symptoms or not. The more people that get tested, the more we can prevent the spread of this virus.
Rapid test (LFD test)
If you don’t have symptoms, you can get a rapid test. Anyone can get one of these. If you have to leave your home regularly, it’s recommended you get a rapid test 2-3 times a week. It only takes 5 mins and results are emailed to you in 30 mins. Visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/rapidtest to book.Test if you have symptoms (PCR test)
If you have coronavirus symptoms (fever, new continuous cough or a loss of sense of smell or taste), no matter how mild, get a test. These tests can only be taken if you have symptoms and it takes a bit longer for you to get the results – usually a few days.Booking is essential. Order a home test kit if you cannot get to a test site. Go to gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, or call 119.
Please see below for information on where you can get both types of coronavirus tests in the borough:
Test centres if you have symptoms
Test centres if you don’t have symptoms
02 North Greenwich,
SE10 – car onlyDaniel Defoe Hall, Greenwich Uni,
SE10—walk-inCharlton Athletic Football Club,
SE7 – car onlyEltham Centre, Eltham
SE9—walk-in
University of Greenwich, Avery Hill Road,
SE9 – foot onlyCharlton Athletic Football Club,
SE7—walk-inAbery St, Plumstead,
SE18 – foot onlyWaterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich,
SE18—walk-inDe Vere Devonport House Car Park,
SE10 – foot onlyPrincess Alice Pub, Thamesmead,
SE28—walk-inTesting is NOT available at the Emergency Department at the hospital or at your GP practice, so please do not attend here trying to get a test.
Support if you test positive and have to self-isolate
No single person or group of people are more likely than others to catch or spread Coronavirus. You or someone close to may have been unwell with Covid or you may well know someone who has. It’s a very infectious illness affecting so many and there is absolutely no shame to anyone testing positive. The most important thing is to make sure you stay as well as you can, if you do get it, and that you don’t pass it on to anyone else.
If your test result is positive, you and your household will need to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days. This is important to stop the virus spreading and keep your community safe.
This can be stressful and worrying when you need to go to work. If you are unable to claim sick-pay from your employer and are a low income household, a one-off £500 payment may be available from the Government to support you and your family during these 10 days. Find out if you are eligible to apply for this payment or call 0800 470 4831 to talk to a friendly, local advisor from the Live Well Greenwich Community Hub.
Training available
If you’re interested in helping your community through volunteering, a short training is available to introduce and prepare volunteers for the role of Neighbourhood Champion. This is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, share information and practice.
For more information, please email victoria.smith@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
If you think it would be helpful to share these messages via WhatsApp or text message, we have a shorter version available for this purpose. If you would like this, please let us know your mobile number and we can share this with you for you to forward on – please email robin.clarke@royalgreenwich.gov.uk directly with this information.
If you would prefer not to receive these messages, you can reply to let us know and we will remove you from the distribution list.
The community working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health. -
Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Ready!
Tue 20 Apr 2021Please click here for ideas of how to support your child in being ready for Nursery & Reception classes!
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COVID-19 Guidance for Parents and Carers
Mon 19 Apr 2021Please click here for the latest Government advice for parents and carers about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19.
