News – Covid-19

Please be advised that our regular newsletter has been temporarily removed to enable us to provide you information on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic.

The information on this page is up to date at the time of publication.

We are not able to promote and advertise businesses but will list businesses that are providing deliveries or digital support, during the crisis.

If there is information that we have overlooked that would be useful or any errors please contact us: office@penrithtowncouncil.co.uk

STAY SAFE & WELL

24 March 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

IMPACT ON SERVICES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

The Town Council has prepared the following response its residents regarding the provision of its services during the current Coronavirus outbreak.

Public Meetings and Events – All public meetings and events are suspended to protect attendees.

Allotments – These will remain open to tenants. Notices will be placed reminding people of the requirement for social distancing.

Bus Shelters – These will remain usable. Any queries regarding the bus service should be made with Cumbria County Council at www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses

Fairhill, and Play Areas – We will aim to continue to maintain these areas as normal and allow access to the public wherever possible. However, the children’s play area will be closed.

Cornmarket Bandstand – We will not be granting any permission for third parties to use the bandstand for ‘hires’ for the foreseeable future.

30/03/2020

Cumbria County Council and partners have launched a new emergency support service for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill, as a result of COVID-19, and who do not have support available from friends, family or neighbours.

Those at high risk include people over 70 years old, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions who should be protecting themselves by staying at home. The majority of these people will already be receiving support from family, friends or local voluntary groups with tasks like shopping or collection of medicines if they require it. But we know that a small number of people will not have this support. If they have no alternative, these people will now be able to call the Freephone number to request help with getting food, medicines, essential supplies and home deliveries.

Cumbria County Council has been working closely with District Councils, Cumbria CVS, Cumbria Community Foundation, community and voluntary sector, private sector and military to establish these new arrangements. To support the new helpline every area is coordinating a supply of essential food, medicines and supplies which can only be accessed via the emergency helpline or email. The requests received asking for help will then be matched with local support and supplies being offered by community groups, volunteers, councils and businesses.

The Emergency telephone support line is 0800 783 1966.

Or you can email your request for help to COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk.

Further details about this support service can be found online at cumbria.gov.uk.

The telephone ‘call’ centre will operate Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5pm and 10am to 2pm at weekends. The service will also accepts referrals from members of the public who may be concerned about people in their community.

Updated Changes to Bus Services across Cumbria

Stagecoach will introduce revised timetables on most routes from Monday. These are based on Sunday timetables, but with enhancements in the early morning and in some cases early evening, to cater for those who still need to travel to work.

Where routes do not normally have a Sunday service, a special timetable will operate on weekdays next week. On a few services which are mainly used for leisure there will be a more limited timetable.

This Sunday a normal timetable will operate, except on the 508 and 554 which will not operate.

The new timetables are now available on the County Council website www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses (this does mean timetables operating this weekend have already been removed).

Details will be updated next week, once information on next weekend’s services are known.

Cumbria County Council are updating the list of changes, which can be found at the top of each timetable pages plus at:

https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses/news/

In light of the special arrangements which have been put in place at some supermarkets, to allow older people to shop, Cumbria County Council has relaxed the normal 09:30 start time for use of Concessionary Travel (ENCTS/NoWCards) passes and they may be used on earlier buses during the current emergency restrictions:

https://news.cumbria.gov.uk/News/2018/cccintroducesearliertraveltimesforconcessionarypasses.aspx

28/03/2020

Click HERE to view the first edition of a weekly newsletter aiming to give information, advice, guidance and details of useful contacts during these challenging times. Daily updated information is available on the Cumbria County Council website: https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Click HERE to view the first edition of a weekly updated directory of community support, aiming to give information and details of useful contacts during these challenging times.

26/03/2020

How to help safely – click HERE

27/03/2020

Update for patients about using GP services click HERE

This details how all our general practice teams are working together in north Cumbria on rising to the challenge faced by Covid-19.

ADVICE

COVID-19 is a new illness. Lots of people call it Coronavirus. It can affect your lungs and your airways. Most people who get Coronavirus will not be very ill. Some older people or people who already have health problems may become more ill. You may feel worried about Coronavirus. This is normal. Talk about how you feel with people you can trust.

There are things everyone can do to help stop them and other people getting Coronavirus.

1) Keep your hands clean.

Wash your hands lots of times during the day:

Use soap and water
Use hand sanitiser (gel) if there is no soap and water when you are out

Make sure you wash your hands when:

You come home

You visit other places

Before you touch food

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth

Always cough and sneeze into a tissue.

Then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.

2) Stay at home

Stay at home and don’t meet up with other people.
Only leave the house if it is essential for work, food or medicines.
Take daily exercise and follow the rules for social distancing.

3) Only use health services when it is important to do so

If you:

Are staying at home and start to feel much more ill or
Have stayed at home for 7 days and still have symptoms of Coronavirus

then:

Get advice from NHS 111 online
If you need to speak to someone call 111
You should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital as you could pass Coronavirus to others

Only dial 999 or go to Accident and Emergency if there is an emergency.

For NHS information on:

Staying at home: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice

Isolation notes: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Social distancing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

You can only leave your home:

To shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
To do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
For any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
To travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary

Your mental well-being is important

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, follow this link to information that could help you cope:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse147bf

Register if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Only get information about Coronavirus from places you can trust:

Eden District Council: https://www.eden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/

For information about:

Cumbria County Council: https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/

For up to date information on the coronavirus crisis sign up to Cumbria County Council for email alerts: https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/communities.asp

If you have to apply for Universal Credit, check out the online resource, Universal Skills, which will support and guide you through it. Universal Skills is a step–by–guide and includes help files to ensure that users fully understand the application process.To access it, go to the ‘Universal Skills’ section on our webpage: use your Library card number to login when prompted.

If you don’t have a library card, you can still access the site by using the code cumb123.

It also includes how to create an email account, how to write your CV (with examples that you can change), how to be properly prepared for your interviews, and much, much more..:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCCC/bulletins/2847d53

Click HERE for Covid-19 advice translations

NHS:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Government: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please click Tips_for_adults_COVID19 (1) for a guide and tips to what is happening if you have autism.

Have set up a new Chat+Check Service for people with learning difficulties
and/or autism – Covid-19.

Click HERE for more information.

Email: chris.tolley@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk

Tel: 07763 546116

VOLUNTEERING DURING THE

COVID-19 CRISIS

A new scheme to recruit 250,000 volunteers to support the NHS through the coronavirus pandemic has been launched by the Government. Over 500,000 people have registered but please still register as all help is greatly received:

https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Support Cumbria: https://supportcumbria.org.uk/

This website is an official collaboration of partners across Cumbria who are working together to provide community support to residents who are struggling to access basic or essential services during the Covid-19 outbreak. It provides a central point to help coordinate volunteering efforts to support Cumbria residents who may need help.

The British Red Cross are seeking volunteers for the following roles to help during the Covid-19 crisis in the UK:

1. Emergency response volunteer

From domestic fires and floods, to large-scale emergencies, our highly trained emergency response teams are there to help when crisis strikes.

2. Community reserve volunteer

Being a community reserve volunteer is perfect if you are someone who would naturally feel the urge to help during an emergency, but don’t have the time to commit to volunteering all year round.

Click HERE for more information.

Guidance for volunteers has been produced by the COVID-19 Cumbria Community Resilience Group for shopping for people who are self isolating, family isolating or social-distancing during the crisis.

Please click HERE for more information.

You can also find out more about about local help:

Coronavirus Community Support Penrith: https://www.facebook.com/groups/153354205832722/?__tn__=HH-R

and for their website please click HERE

Here is the latest information and guidance about applying to the Cumbria Covid-19 Response Fund. The Fund offers local charitable and community organisations funding to support emerging challenges faced within local communities as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus.

Please share this information with groups providing these services and encourage them to apply.

Cumbria COVID-19 Response Fund information:

Guidance to Applicants:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Guidance.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/cumbria-covid-19-response-fund-faqs/

How to Apply:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/covid19-response-fund/

CAR PARKING

Eden District Council has suspend car parking charges in response to the Covid-19 pandemic with immediate effect at the following car parks:

Penrith Town Hall/Drovers Lane
Penrith Mansion House front & rear car parks
Penrith Bluebell Lane
Penrith Princes Street
Penrith Sandgate
Appleby Broad Close

This is a fluid situation but it is anticipated that this suspension will remain in place until the end of April 2020, and will be reviewed regularly.

CHEMIST OPENING HOURS

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Please observe social distancing whilst waiting for your medicines and please order your medicines to allow for 5 days instead of 3.

BOOTS

Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 13:30 closed for lunch 13:30 to 14:30

Sunday 11:00 to 16:00

COWPERS

Monday to Saturday 08:45 to 16:00 closed for lunch 12:30 to 13:30

WELL PENRITH HEALTH CENTRE

OPENING TIMES

THURSDAY	09:00 – 18:00
FRIDAY	09:00 – 18:00
SATURDAY	Closed
SUNDAY	Closed
MONDAY	09:00 – 18:00
TUESDAY	09:00 – 18:00
WEDNESDAY	09:00 – 18:00

Closed 13:00 – 14:00 for lunch

Sign posting you to community groups, resources, and advice that you may find useful. The information is supplied by third parties.

Direct Payments

DaCE have produced a range of information for anyone who is currently using a Direct Payment and wants to better understand how the current crisis impacts. This is particularly useful for those who employ their own staff:

https://carlisledisability.org/coronavirus/

Resources include:

Factsheet for people using Direct Payments: Download

Employment questions

ACAS have provided useful guidance for employers and employees on Coronavirus and employment issues. This guidance is being updated daily and can be accessed here: ACAS guidance for employers and employees

Isolation Notes

The Government have introduced a new system so that employees can get isolation notes. Coronavirus isolation notes

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

If you are self-employed there is a coronavirus Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Self-employed Income Support Scheme.

Free School Meals Voucher Scheme

Children eligible for free school meals will benefit from a national voucher scheme allowing them to continue to access meals whilst they stay at home. Schools can now provide every eligible child with a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to coronavirus. See here

The Triple A Team

Supporting People with Autism & on the autism spectrum

The Team are continuing to work in different ways, using technological solutions rather than face-to-face. If you, or someone you know, is autistic and would like to connect with Triple A Team using technology, let us know.

Contact details:

Helen: helen.storey@tripleaproject.org.uk; 07554 370823

Susan: projectsupport@tripleaproject.org.uk; 07733 818776

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tripleaprojectallaboutautism/

Website: www.tripleaproject.org.uk

For people with a learning disability or autism and their families

Daily news and tips for staying well from Inclusion North: bit.ly/dailynews03042020

You can also watch the news here bit.ly/dailynewsvideo03042020We have also set up a page with resources, links, audio and videos made by members of the Inclusion North team. You can find it here: https://inclusionnorth.org/our_work/coronavirus/

Information collated by the Inter Faith Network (IFN)

A number of IFN member bodies have issued guidance on Covid-19. The guidance has been summarised here.

Bereavement Support

Cruse dedicated content here

General guidance NHS.UK website

Age.UK coping with bereavement and arranging a funeral (funeral page is COVID19 specific).

The Child Bereavement Network has published information

Mental health support for 10-18 year olds

As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis ThinkNinja app is now freely available to all 10-18 year olds UK-wide for the duration of the crisis. In addition, ThinkNinja has been extensively updated with specific COVID-19 support content. The new content is designed to bring self-help knowledge and skills to children and young people who maybe experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis.

What the new COVID-19 support brings to 10-18 year olds…
The new COVID-19 content provides an opportunity for children and young people to understand the following:

1. Fears relating to the virus
2. Isolation struggles and how to stay connected to family and friends
3. Worries about personal health and health of family members
4. Coping techniques to use during the crisis
5. Plus many other helpful tips

The new content was created by specialist child psychologists and is now available when chatting to the WiseNinja within the app.

For more information about ThinkNinja and the new COVID-19 content visit https://www.healios.org.uk/services/thinkninja1

BUILDING SOCIETY’S

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Please observe social distancing whilst waiting

PENRITH BUILDING SOCIETY

For counter service, PBS hours will be 9am – 11am and 1pm – 3pm, Monday to Friday, until further notice.

Saturday opening is suspended for the time being.

Mail at enquiries@penrithbs.co.uk

or by phone on 01768 863675

CUMBERLAND BUILDING SOCIETY

Information from the CBS website indicates no changes to the opening times, but you may want to email the branch or call in case this has changed.

Mail at penrithbranch@cumberland.co.uk

or by phone on 01768 865131

NEWCASTLE BUILDING SOCIETY

Monday to Friday 10:00 to 15:00

Tel : 017687 53822

SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY

Mail at penrith.Branch@skipton.co.uk

or by phone 01768 891469

Monday to Friday 9:30 to 13:00

Sat: 9:30am – Noon

RESTAURANTS & CAFES OFFERING TAKEAWAY AND DELIVERY AS OF 6 APRIL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

(COURTESY OF CHAMBER OF TRADE)

You can also click HERE for the latest information from the Chamber of Trade

Greenwheat Flowers & Fika, Brunswick Road, 01768 744240

Foundry 34, Sandgate, 01768 210099

Sandgate Friery, Sandgate, 01768 210099

Angel Lane Chippie, Angel Lane, 01768 210099

Villa Bianca, Corney Square,

Limited Opening – Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 5pm.

Wrights Coffee, Middlegate, 017687 44180

Just Greek, King Street, 017687 44120

Daffodils Coffee House, St Andrews Churchyard, 01768 210604

New Squares Café, Bowling Green Lane, 07448 688140

The Chopping Block, Two Lions Square, 01768 899092

Dana Indian Takeaway, Great Dockray, 01768 863812

Spicy Kitchen, Devonshire Street, 01768 744141

Xavier’s, Victoria Road, 01768 867644

The Country Coffee Shop, Princes Street, 01768 210100

The Wolfe, Little Dockray

Wolfe Heat ‘N’ Eat – Orders in by 3pm for next day collection.

Woodstone Pizza and Grill, Princes Street

The Brantwood Hotel, Stainton

Providing Takeaway meals for collection or local delivery.

The Kings Arms, Stainton

Providing takeway meals for collection or local delivery. Also providing essentials for delivery or from the shop.

CLICK & COLLECT SERVICES:

Cranstons – Customers are able to place an order from the comfort of their own home and collect it from Cranstons food halls in Penrith carpark:

https://clickcollect.cranstons.net/

RETAIL BUSINESSES OFFERING DELIVERY OPTIONS:

Dave Hudson Electrical 01768 862747

J & J Graham, Market Square, 01768 862281

Starfruits, Angel Square,01768 890255

Bake4Eden, Sandgate, 01768 891825

Rooting 4 U, Devonshire Arcade, 07773 749777

Cowpers Mobility Centre, Friargate, 01768 867555

Sam Scott’s, Little Dockray, 01768 866961

Clarke’s Fusions, Little Dockray, 01768 868882

The Arcade Pet Store, Devonshire Arcade, 01768 863809

Just Sew, Poets Walk, 01768 866791

Fixit4Eden, mobile service

Another Weigh, Angel Lane, 01768 863156

Twinkletoes of Penrith, Devonshire Arcade, 01768 428354, 07788238391 or 07584563649

Natures Health Store, King Street, 01768 899262

Limited Opening Times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 12 noon. They would prefer you to ring an order through and collect to keep contact to a minimum.

Still offering a local delivery service and mail order service to those needing it.

Mackays4meat, Gilwilly, 07543 024991

Chestnut House, Pooley Bridge, 017684 86444

Emma Vollans, Jesme’s Book Corner:

https://org.usbornebooksathome.co.uk/jesmesbookcorner