Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council
The situation with coronavirus is changing daily and we are committed to keeping residents updated regularly with essential information. We will be publishing weekly updates here in the Camden New Journal, including changes to council services and information about the support available in the community through the Council and its partners. For the latest updates, visit our dedicated webpage at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus. You can also check our rolling news page camden.gov.uk/ coronavirusnews and Twitter feed @CamdenCouncil or talk to us directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). SIGN UP to our coronavirus e-newsletter We would like to keep you updated as everything is changing very quickly, so to sign up for email updates, go to camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates
The coronavirus is a crisis for our country, and for our community. We are thinking of all those battling the disease, or concerned for loved ones. No one should have to face this alone, there is support in the Council and community for those who need it. Thank you to all who are stepping up to help and care for others, I hope you are also able to rest, recuperate, spend time virtually with loved ones, go for a walk outside and ask for help if you need it. Camden’s strength comes from the diverse range of people who call our borough home and who contribute their skills and experience to our communities. It’s critically important that everyone is able to access the right information about how to keep themselves and their families safe, which is why we’re working with councillors and residents to produce information and videos in different languages, and for people who have visual or audio impairments. In the following pages you will find information about all of this, as well as on our website. Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council Although face-to-face surgeries are suspended, ward councillors are still working on your behalf – visit camden.gov.uk/councillors for more information or to contact your local councillor.
Camden says thank you to its workers and neighbours Residents across Camden have joined the nation in showing support for NHS and other frontline workers – from pictures of rainbows in their windows to clapping every Thursday at 8pm. And they’ve also been sharing stories of the friends, the neighbours, colleagues and local organisations who have been helping make this difficult time a little easier.
“I really appreciate Vegbox – in these challenging times more than ever. I am selfisolating because I am 70, so the steady supply of fresh veg and fruit is a life saver.� Patricia
“Joshua fetched items from Ramco chemist for me, and Ariana fetched a newspaper for me for 2 weeks. Big thanks to both of them.� Margaret
“Shah from Kilburn is doing food bank collection for all his local neighbours. Well done fella đ&#x;‘?đ&#x;?˝ â€? Jay
“A big thank you to Age UK Camden for tirelessly delivering much needed food parcels to those in need, and to carers and district nurses for carrying out their duties – even at personal risk. Thank you also to my team who run Camden’s sheltered housing service – we, along with many others are doing our best to keep vulnerable residents safe at this uncertain time.� Carole
If there’s someone you’d like to say ‘thank you’ to, email camdentalking@camden.gov.uk or tweet using the hashtag #WeMakeCamden
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
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Say thank you to your recycling and rubbish collection teams by putting smiling sun images in your windows. It’s part of Camden Council’s partner Veolia’s national campaign, Street Smiles, to acknowledge the hard work being done by their workers during this difficult time. Share your pictures on Twitter by using #StreetSmiles and tagging @CamdenCouncil and @VeoliaUK
Service updates The Council remains committed to delivering vital services to residents during this time, including to Camden’s families and children, older adults, and tenants and leaseholders. For the latest updates, check camden.gov.uk/coronavirus
Safe and free online mental health support for young people
Camden Council and the NHS have partnered up with online counselling experts Kooth, to bring their free online wellbeing and mental health care services to young people in Camden aged 11 to 18. The service allows children and young people to chat to a qualified counsellor, through instant messaging, via an online drop-in or booked session.
Young people are also encouraged to write their own articles, read It was a mistake the first Now if I don’t do wh articles by other young people, participate in moderated online forums he’ll share the and keep track of their mental health and wellbeing through online journals and goal trackers. Kooth is brought to Camden by XenZone, the UK’s leading experts in digital mental health, and the joint young people’s health and wellbeing commissioning team for north central London. The service does not have any waiting lists or thresholds and does not require referrals. Young people can visit kooth.com and sign up now.
Support for people experiencing domestic abuse and violence Camden Council’s dedicated team, Camden Safety Net, is providing additional support – such as increased contact and safety plans – for anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse or who feels unsafe at this time, and to their families.
In an emergency always call 999. If you feel you may be overheard, stay silent on the phone and the call will be forwarded to an operating system. Press 55 and the operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency.
You can contact the Camden Safety Net team in confidence on 020 7974 2526, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, at camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk or visit the website camden.gov.uk/domestic-violence
For deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired residents, you can send a SMS message to 999. Visit emergencysms.net for more information.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who use this service, staff will no longer be based out in the community.
For non-emergency matters requiring police assistance please call 101.
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Community support The Council is working with Camden’s voluntary and community organisations to support, encourage and mobilise the huge community spirit that exists within the borough.
Support for Deaf people The Royal Association for Deaf people are providing regular updates about coronavirus in British Sign Language on their Facebook page @RADRoyalAssociationforDeafpeople – along with a range of accessible activities including fitness and wellbeing, crafts and storytelling.
Local organisations join together to create new support centre
If you need any benefits advice regarding coronavirus, please contact 0300 688 2525 or advice@royaldeaf.org.uk to make an appointment.
Third Age Project brings communities together Third Age Project, a charity which supports people aged 50+ in the Regent’s Park area and immediate surroundings, has had to close its physical centre in response to COVID-19. However, they have a range of ways to help keep their community connected. • Online seated and standing Zumba Gold routines – go to zgdance.wixsite.com/jacqueline • Telephone support and befriending service for registered users • WhatsApp groups for their Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino and Sylheti speaking communities • Virtual classes in drama, line dancing, and country dancing – with more in the pipeline • Local delivery service for essential food and medical supplies • Small store of donated food at the centre linked to the Euston Food Bank • Weekly newsletters and tweets to promote new services and provide information on how to stay active whilst self-isolating. Get in touch on 020 7383 4922 or at info@thirdageproject.org.uk Sign up to their newsletter at thirdageproject.org.uk/news
Coronavirus updates from the RNIB The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is helping people with sight loss keep up to date during the coronavirus pandemic. Call 0303 123 9999 or visit rnib.org.uk/coronavirus
Somers Town Community Association have partnered with Life After Hummus, The Francis Crick Institute and Phoenix Court, to establish the Somers Town Coronavirus Community Action Response Support Centre for residents from St Pancras, Somers Town and Regent’s Park. Support includes: • Community fridge stocked with free fresh fruit and vegetables, dry goods, toiletries • Help applying to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Go to lifeafterhummus.com for more information. The Living Centre will host the joint initiative of Camden Mobile Food Bank and Maiden Lane Food Bank for the next three months. A team of volunteers will make and distribute emergency food parcels with the help of local organisations delivering emergency services to vulnerable people. To refer someone, or yourself, complete the online form at urbancommunityprojects.org.uk/referral-form Little Village are also distributing emergency support packs to those in need. Contact them directly for support by going to littlevillagehq.org
Camden’s communities share advice and translations It’s great to see videos circulating on social media, including messages from Councillors Abdul Hai and Awale Olad, about the importance of staying home to save lives and protect the NHS. Thank you to everyone working with Camden Council to make sure this vital information is shared far and wide – and a big thank you especially to Camden’s community leaders who have shared videos about vital public health information in languages other than English. If you know of anyone who would like to access essential coronavirus information in a language other than English, please let them know that Doctors of the World has the latest NHS guidance available in 44 languages, including Bengali, Somali, French, Portuguese, Polish and more at doctorsoftheworld.org.uk
Further information Financial support for those facing hardship Camden Council has increased financial support for residents who need it, so if you are struggling with your finances as a result of coronavirus, you can get help. 1. If you’re facing immediate financial hardship – e.g. you have no savings or money in your account – apply for a one-off payment through the Council’s Local Welfare Assistance Fund at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus or call 020 7974 4444 (option 9). 2. If you receive Council Tax Support and have something left to pay, the Council is giving you additional support to pay. For some people, this will mean
a three-month break from paying council tax. For others, it will mean paying nothing at all this financial year. Look out for a letter and revised council tax bill from the Council, which will explain the changes. 3. If you have existing debts like loans, credit cards or overdrafts, speak to your bank about a three-month payment holiday. 4. If your circumstances have changed, find out how to access Council Tax Support and other benefits at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 5. Please get in touch with the Council so they can also make sure you’re receiving all the support you’re entitled to like food packages and the right benefits.
Public health advice if your child is unwell
Play a vital role in the fight against COVID-19 Care workers play a crucial role by supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the community to stay well in their own homes. There are currently a number of paid, short-term care worker roles available across North Central London. Applications are welcomed from people who have lost their job or regular income due to the crisis and need short-term employment. It’s not essential that you have experience working in adult social care or the NHS as you will be fully trained. Where possible, you will be matched with a service near to your home and working hours can be flexible to suit your availability. Services are working hard to keep carers safe. To find out more and register your interest, visit proudtocarenorthlondon.org.uk or email proudtocare@camden.gov.uk
If you’re concerned about your child’s health, do not delay calling your GP. Hospital is still the safest place for your child if they are seriously ill. Access to Health Care Health services are open as usual – however some services are being delivered differently. For example, you may be offered a telephone or video consultation with your GP rather than an automatic face-to-face appointment.
If it is an emergency • If you need immediate assistance dial 999 or attend an accident and emergency department. • Accident and Emergency services for children are now based at the Whittington Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. Currently UCLH children and young people’s emergency department is redirecting patients to alternative local hospitals.
Concerns about coronavirus • Coronavirus is unlikely to make your child unwell, but other illnesses may make your child severely unwell.
• There are lots of measures in place to protect you and your child from coronavirus if you need to attend. • Let the medical team know if your child has coronavirus symptoms – a fever or cough. It won’t affect the care you receive but it will ensure that everyone is safe.
Sources of information and care • For general online information and to check symptoms, refer to NHS online at nhs.uk or use 111 online at 111.nhs.uk • Call your GP if you need to discuss your concerns and seek help. • You can call 111 for further advice, 24/7. Please be aware that this service is currently very busy. • If your concerns relate to coronavirus you can also check the NHS symptom checker on 111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Immunisations • Immunisations for young children and baby checks after birth are essential for your child’s health and are still being delivered by your GP.
Essential planned work Some essential planned work is still happening at Camden council homes. For now this includes external work, fire safety, lifts and communal heating works to keep homes safe and in good repair, with new working arrangements in place to keep residents and contractors safe. The Council continues to monitor Government advice carefully and will update residents of any changes to these works.
For the latest advice, please visit nhs.uk/coronavirus You can also find the latest information on the situation in the UK at gov.uk/coronavirus
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
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