Camden Council COVID-19 weekly update [9 April]

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

Important information for parents/carers in Camden – how to access appropriate health services

This week many of our communities will be celebrating Passover and Easter, with others preparing to start the month of Ramadan. It is hard not to be together as communities and families to mark these important moments, and a strange reality for us all where the deepest act of love and community is staying apart. I know how difficult this is, especially those that don’t have much space at home, so I would like to thank everyone in Camden who is making huge sacrifices to follow the public health advice around social distancing.

I know all of our thoughts are with the key workers on the frontline at this time and all those battling this disease. We are grateful to all who are checking in over the phone or online with those who might be alone or facing difficulties. We don’t want anyone to be left without support over the long weekend, so if you are struggling at home or know someone who is, please get in touch. We can’t be physically together but we have an amazing community that is showing extraordinary creativity in ensuring we remain united and connected through this crisis.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council.

You can getGeorgia in touch Gould, with your local ward councillor at Councillor Leader of Camden Council. camden.gov.uk/councillors To keep up to date with 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

If you are worried about your child, you should access health services in the same way you would normally: • Refer to NHS online at nhs.uk for general information, to check symptoms and the right steps to take.

• Use 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. You can also call 111 for further advice but please be aware that this service is busy.

• If necessary call your GP to discuss your concerns and seek help.

• If your concerns relate to coronavirus you can also check the NHS symptom checker on 111.nhs.uk/covid-19.

• If you need immediate assistance dial 999 or attend an accident and emergency department.

• At present, the UCLH children and young people’s emergency department is closed. Accident and Emergency services for children are based at the Whittington Hospital, Royal Free Hampstead and North Middlesex Hospital.

camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)

Parks: please follow Government guidance over the Easter weekend With the bank holiday weekend coming up, Camden Council asks everyone to continue to follow Government restrictions – do not be tempted to visit parks and open spaces for anything other than essential exercise once per day. Having picnics, sunbathing or playing sports are all irresponsible at this time – please do not do this.

Camden Council wants to keep its parks open. Staff will be out across the borough’s green spaces to remind people.

If you are outside exercising, always keep 2 metres apart from others, stay local and avoid busy areas. If you’re lucky enough to have your own garden, please use that to give others without space easy access to parks.

CORONAVIRUS

PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS

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.

Virtual drop-ins for young people seeking jobs and training advice

Construction in Camden Young people who would normally get face-to-face advice from a personal careers and training adviser are being offered virtual drop-ins to chat over the phone instead.

Camden Council’s Careers and Connexions service is running the telephone advice sessions – covering jobs, education, training and apprenticeships – throughout the Easter period.

The virtual drops-ins are available from 6 to 9 April and 14 to 17 April – from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm – by calling 020 7974 7252.

For more information about local education and job opportunities, visit camdenrise.co.uk/education

Schools to stay open during Easter break with help from Camden play centres

Many construction sites in Camden have now been temporarily closed – including refurbishment works on the Camden Council’s Town Hall and sites on its Community Investment Programme and West End Project.

The current Government guidance is that construction work can continue – but where possible, the Council is having conversations with its contractors to encourage them to stop work while the current social distancing measures are in place. To reduce disturbances to residents the Council has restricted all council contractors from carrying out nonessential noisy works between 10am and 3pm. The Council are also asking private contractors, such as those working for broadband or utility companies, to agree to these measures. Where works have paused, building sites have been made safe, secured and vacated.

Some essential works to keep council homes safe and in good repair will continue with new safe working arrangements in place. The Council continues to monitor Government advice carefully and will update residents of any changes to these works.

To: Tenants and leaseholders Local schools have been working with play centres and Camden Council to make sure they can stay open during the Easter period to care for vulnerable children and those of critical workers, such as health professionals or the police.

Staff who usually volunteer at play centres will help out where there are staffing gaps, to keep children safe and occupied.

Camden’s play providers are also planning a range of interactive online play resources for all the families on their register who are isolating at home. They can also be contacted by families needing advice or signposting to other local services.

If you are a parent or carer who would like more information about school provision during the Easter break, please contact your child’s school.

Subject: Check your email for updates from Camden Council If you are a council tenant or leaseholder and you have an email address registered with Camden Council, they are sending you important updates about your housing services. Please check your emails, including spam and junk folders. The last email sent was on Wednesday (8 April) with the heading ‘Coronavirus and your housing services’.

If you haven’t registered an email address with the Council or your email address has changed, contact your neighbourhood housing officer or leaseholder services. The Council will continue to send letters to tenants and leaseholders who do not have access to email.

Community support The Council is working with Camden’s voluntary and community organisations to support, encourage and mobilise the borough’s community spirit.

‘Happiness hampers’ from Kentish Town Community Centre Kentish Town Community Centre has partnered with Torriano and Brecknock primary schools to create ‘happiness hampers’, filled with treats for struggling families in Camden.

By collaborating with local primary schools, the centre hopes to support 300 children – around 175 low income families, and families who access free school meals. The centre estimates around 70 families will access the foodbank over the next few months.

The centre has received support and funding from Booker, Kitchen Social and local councillors, and are also raising money through their fundraiser at donorbox.org/ktccdonate

Sarah Hoyle, the centre’s manager, said they thought a few special items – such as jam, crisps and fruit – might help cheer up children and their families.

“The teachers pick up what they want for their kids from the wholesalers – many of them are missing their students and I think it’s a really nice way for them to connect with the kids they teach.”

The centre also has an in-house foodbank – the Pantry – for local people to access tinned goods. Anyone wishing to visit must call first, to make sure someone is on site.

Extra support available from Holborn Community Association Holborn Community Association has adapted a number of its activities to support people during this difficult time.

Their Doorstep Help scheme reaches out to local residents to help with the essentials – like shopping, prescription or medical supply pickups, and help topping up energy meters.

Telephone befriending matches volunteers with local residents who need a friendly chat on a regular basis and help them feel connected and part of the community. If you would like to access this support, send an email to the address below.

The online apArt Club programme hosts creative activities for children, young people and older people.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact admin@holborncommunity.co.uk or visit holborncommunity.co.uk/doorstep-help to find out more.

Health advice in different languages Camden Council is working with its communities to make sure every resident has access to the latest Government advice. This includes making sure those who speak different languages receive the information they need to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The latest information and guidance on coronavirus in 43 languages can also be found online at doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/ coronavirus-information

Thank you to Camden’s communities This photo taken last sunny weekend at Camden Lock shows that residents and visitors alike are all doing their bit to follow Government advice and stay at home.

Thank you to everyone who is helping to keep themselves and each other safe.

Remember, only go out if essential and for exercise once a day, keeping 2 metres apart from others.

Useful information Everybody needs good neighbours Staying home protects the NHS and saves lives, but it also means you will be seeing and hearing more of your neighbours than you are used to. We can all help by being considerate of those around us, and being more patient about noise that we perhaps wouldn’t normally hear – for example, children may be more restless than usual. Remember that many people will be feeling anxious, and some will be ill or caring for a loved one who is ill.

How can you help?

Keep television and music volume down: Also try to position speakers away from walls, floors and ceilings.

Think about your neighbours before doing DIY: If you have to do noisy DIY, talk to your neighbours about your plans first (from 2 metres away).

Don’t do noisy work in the evening or early in the morning, especially at the weekend.

Avoid banging doors, stamping feet and moving furniture: If you don’t have a carpet, put a rug down in areas you walk over most frequently or where children play.

Don’t burn any garden or other waste: Bonfires can trigger breathing problems and stop neighbours from getting exercise and fresh air. Compost where possible and put securely tied rubbish out for collection. If you have bigger items, please hold onto them until bulky waste collections are running again.

If you need any help with noise, call 0207 974 4444 or visit camden.gov.uk/noise Find out the latest advice and service updates on recycling and rubbish at camden.gov.uk/recyclingandrubbish

Say ‘thank you’ to your neighbour

Supporting you with bereavement

Does your neighbour collect your shopping or medication? Do they call you on Zoom for a pick-me-up when self-isolation has all become a bit too much? If you’d like to say thank you to your neighbour, share your story at camdentalking@camden.gov.uk or on Twitter using #WeMakeCamden and tag @CamdenCouncil. The best ones will be shared in next week’s CNJ and on social media.

Vital support available for Camden businesses

Camden Council is committed to supporting local businesses during this difficult time.

There are two main Government grant schemes: • the Small Business Grant Fund worth £10,000 • the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund worth £25,000.

The Council has paid 1,549 awards of the Government business grant, totalling £38.75 million. If you own an eligible business you should have received a letter inviting you to update your business details online so you can receive the grant.

camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)

Business rates: The Council is re-billing all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, and private nurseries, who do not have to pay their business rates bill for 2020/21. These businesses should receive a revised bill shortly.

Please get in touch with the Council if you are struggling to pay your business rates.

Paying rent: If you have a business in a Camden-owned property and have contacted the Council already, or you want to discuss your rent, please note the Council is proposing to defer collection. The Council will speak to tenants in the coming weeks to discuss individual circumstances.

The Council is working with Business Improvement Districts to encourage landlords to provide flexible rent agreements to all commercial tenants.

For more information about the financial support available to businesses, visit camden.gov.uk/business-support or call 020 7974 6460.

Our wonderful NHS are doing all they can to treat people affected by coronavirus – but we know that very sadly some residents in the borough will lose loved ones over the coming months. Camden Council will do everything it can to support you through these difficult times.

If somebody in your household dies at home, you will need to report it by calling 111 or 999.

Where deaths are believed to be COVID-19 related, a Pandemic Multi-agency Response Team will attend your home and provide you with information about next steps, including where your loved one will be taken, how to register a death and how to access further support.

A lot of care is being taken across London to ensure that people’s religious practices and wishes are respected when it comes to burials.

The Government has made it law that there will no enforced cremations against the wishes of an individual as long as there is burial space available. The Council is working with partners across London to make sure that is the case.

If you or your family and friends need additional help during this period of uncertainty, please reach out and ask for help. The Council can put you in touch with a number of free and confidential services that can support you with bereavement. Visit camden.gov.uk/ bereavement-support

CORONAVIRUS

PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS