Camden Council COVID-19 weekly update [30 April]

Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council

The situation with coronavirus is changing daily and the Council is committed to keeping residents updated regularly with essential information.

You’ll find 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 the dedicated webpage camden.gov.uk/coronavirus and the rolling news feed camden.gov.uk/coronavirusnews You can also check Twitter @CamdenCouncil or speak to someone at the Council directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).

SIGN UP to the Council’s coronavirus e-newsletter for service updates, news and support, at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates

This week I am so proud that we are working with Arsenal Football Club, HIS Church and the CNJ to receive 15,000 meals (7.5 tonnes of food) to distribute to households in Camden.

No one should have to worry about their next meal during this crisis, or risk their health to get food if they are isolating, and this food will make all the difference for so many people. As a lifelong football fan, I know sport is about community. Whilst we can’t go to matches, or watch them on TV with friends or family, we can show solidarity and community in other ways.

It’s really important that residents are able to be involved with local decision-making. Due to the crisis, however, our regular council meetings were temporarily put on hold. I’m pleased to say that we are now resuming certain key council meetings including Cabinet and Licencing Panels, and a new Covid-19 oversight cross party panel, using video technology. These meetings will be publicly available for anyone to watch live at councilmeetings.camden.gov.uk and will also be available on the Council’s YouTube channel afterwards. The first of these streamed meetings, Planning Committee, starts tonight at 7pm. You can also find a list of our upcoming meetings at camden.gov.uk/democracy Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council

Help recycling and rubbish collection and street cleaning teams “ I’m Andrew and I’m proud to be a part of the Veolia Camden collections team.

We work very hard to keep the community clean and safe for everyone.”

Help protect Camden’s recycling and rubbish collection and street cleaning teams: • Stand at least 2 metres away when teams are out collecting and cleaning the streets.

• Make sure you’re recycling correctly – check what can and can’t be recycled at camden.gov.uk/whatgoesinbins • Before putting out for collection, make sure all recycling is clean and dry, and all bags securely tied. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after putting bags out for collection.

• If someone in your household is self-isolating, double bag personal waste (for example, tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths and keep aside for at least 72 hours (3 days) before putting out.

• Try and minimise the amount of waste you produce and avoid doing big clear-outs while at home.

• As ever, don’t fly tip or litter – including masks or gloves – as this could impact the health of others and puts more pressure on services.

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

CORONAVIRUS

PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS

Service updates Keeping adults and older adults safe at home Camden Council is working closely with partners in health and council departments, including housing, to make sure residents are receiving the care and support they need.

This includes those who need ongoing care and support to manage their physical and mental health, and those who are unwell due to coronavirus and need short-term help.

The Council is also working with hospitals to make sure people are discharged safely with the right support at home, and with home care providers, who are working round the clock to make sure they can provide care to as many people as possible during this time. Additional care providers have been commissioned, as well as more places in residential and nursing homes.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact the adult social care team at adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 4000 (option 1).

Your neighbourhood housing officers are here to help with your rent

Camden Careline update Camden Council’s Careline service is continuing its work to make sure people are able to maintain their independence throughout the pandemic.

The team is still installing and repairing telecare equipment in homes – such as fall sensors, epilepsy monitors and smoke detectors linked to their community alarms – and staff continue to visit when an alarm indicates someone is in difficulty.

Careline will also continue to support people coming home from hospital, self-isolating or shielding at home.

For more information or if you think Careline could be right for you, or someone you know, email carelinetelecareadmin@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 1491 (option 4).

“If I fall over or anything like that, Careline are there to help, I press the button and they’re there. If I didn’t have the button life would be difficult, the freedom it gives you is immeasurable.” Steven, who has multiple sclerosis and uses the basic pendent and smoke detector alarms.

“I’m Shahaveer and I’m Minya, and we’re Camden neighbourhood housing officers. We’re still working, checking on our residents and making sure they’re okay – but rather than popping over to people’s homes, we’re catching up with tenants over the phone while we all work from home.

“We both work in Gospel Oak but we want to let every council tenant know that wherever you live in Camden, your neighbourhood housing officer is there to help you.

“Nobody is going to be evicted for not paying rent because of COVID-19, but if you’re worried about paying your rent or other bills, it’s really important that you speak to us as soon as possible so we can help.

“Otherwise, you need to pay your rent as normal. We really don’t want any of our tenants to build up debt, and we need to carry on collecting rent so we can keep looking after you and keep all of your housing services running.”

Shahaveer

Minya

For questions about rent, other bills or any other concerns, you can call your neighbourhood housing officer on 020 7974 4444 (option 3 then 5).

Access Camden’s libraries online 24/7 Camden’s libraries are currently closed but the Council’s digital library is open 24/7. You can find a range of books, comics, audio books, magazines and newspapers available to existing and new members.

Instantly download books and audiobooks to most phones and devices for free.

Find out more at camden.gov.uk/digital-library

Community support

Support during Ramadan This past weekend Ibn Abbas Islamic Centre and Camden Parents Group worked together to distribute Ramadan food parcels to Somali families living within the Haverstock area who are struggling during this challenging time.

“Ramadan is a time of community.

We can’t pray together in larger groups this year – but we are looking out for each other in different ways. This wouldn’t

have been possible without the assistance and support of our ward councillors,” Mohamed Farah, from Camden Parents Group, said.

“While our work providing food is essential, the most important action we can take for our communities this year is to stay at home. It is hard, but it’s a sacrifice we make to protect ourselves, our communities and the NHS.”

Mohamed said they supplied food parcels to 165 families, and planned to provide food to a further 35 families in the coming days. The parcels include rice, pasta, oil, and dates – all fit for use in an iftar.

Thank you to everyone involved for helping families around the borough to observe Ramadan safely.

Children and young people’s mental health services during COVID-19 Camden’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), known as Open Minded, is open during the COVID-19 emergency.

Most of its work is being done remotely but young people can be seen face-to-face if needed. Self-referral is available if you do not wish to visit a GP during lockdown.

If your child is under 18 and you’re worried about their mental health and wellbeing, please visit tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/covid-19/your-care and download the CAMHS (Open Minded) self-referral form, or call 020 8938 2241 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Camden Council and the NHS have also commissioned online mental health and wellbeing specialists Kooth to support young people aged 11 to 18 who may be feeling isolated or anxious. This is a free, safe and anonymous service, which does not have waiting lists or thresholds and does not require referrals.

Young people can visit kooth.com and sign up now.

Henna Asian Women’s Group provides support digitally to its community Henna Asian Women’s Group is now providing online services to its community, with dedicated tutors and staff video calling members to offer support.

Continuing services include: •R egular arts and crafts sessions, cooking tutorials, photo competitions, and breathing and meditation sessions for carers.

• ESOL

(English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutorials, organised in partnership with Timebank.

•M ental health sessions provided by Mind In Camden will be carried out over the phone to women who are at high risk and vulnerable due to COVID-19.

For more information, call 07519 953460 or go to hennaorg.co.uk

Advice on Universal Credit and more During the lockdown Camden Citizens Advice is providing advice and support to residents by telephone and online.

Call the Adviceline direct on 0300 330 1157, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm – calls cost the same as a local landline. Or you can complete the call back request form at camdencabservice.org.uk and you’ll be called back within 24 to 48 hours.

For help with ongoing Universal Credit claims, call or text 07765 293116 and an adviser will get in contact with you within 24 to 48 hours.

If you need advice about a new Universal Credit claim, call 0800 1448 4444 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. This is a free number. Or you can chat to an adviser online by going to citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/ helptoclaim and clicking on ‘Talk to an Adviser’ halfway down the page.

Further information Are you looking after a family member, partner or friend?

There is support available across the borough for the hundreds of informal carers providing support for loved ones in Camden, many of whom are facing extra pressure during the COVID-19 crisis.

• For advice and support contact Camden Carers on 020 7428 8950 or email info@camdencarers.org.uk • Visit the Carers UK website for information on what to do if you’re worried about your situation at carersuk.org • If you or the person you care for is over 55 and needs support accessing food, Age UK Camden is offering emergency food parcels. Contact them on 020 7239 0400 • Meet other carers for supportive virtual chats through Mobilise – a group of carers coming together for an ‘online cuppa’. Join Mobilise for free at mobiliseonline.co.uk/cuppa If you have any urgent concerns about providing care, please contact Camden Council’s adult social care team at adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk or on 020 7974 4000 (option 1).

Keep up to date with the latest advice at nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 For the latest information on the situation in the UK, visit gov.uk/coronavirus

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who’s shared a story of kindness. If you’d like to say thank you to someone, email camdentalking@camden.gov.uk or tweet tagging @CamdenCouncil #WeMakeCamden.

“The women working at Drayton Park Crisis House have been phoning me regularly to check up on my mental health. Even now, when they are under so much pressure it means so much that they can find the time to phone and have a chat, make sure I am coping and give me a bit of a lift. It is more than a job to them, they really do care for us women who need their help. Drayton Park Crisis House – you rock.” Anon “I am so proud of my lovely neighbours, we are all looking out for one another and checking in with people who are on their own. Well done Whittington Estate let’s keep it going even after this pandemic.” Linda “I’d like to say thank you to the caretaker in George Mews & cleaners on North Gover Street. These frontline workers are great heroes in the time of coronavirus.”

Salim

Staying active from home in Camden During this time it’s important to stay active and find new ways to keep everyone in your home moving.

Turn chores into exercise: Activities like vacuuming, cutting the grass and hanging the washing can all contribute to your 150 recommended active minutes a week.

Get creative with household items: Objects including cans and water bottles can be used as weights.

Dance it out: Put on your favourite playlist and dance out your stress for 30 minutes or so.

This is a great activity to do with kids.

Use your house: Use your sofa for arm dips and your walls for chair pose – stand with your back against the wall and lower down so it’s like you’re sitting on a chair, hold for 30 seconds.

Get climbing: If you have stairs, climb these or use as a stepper.

Balance it out: Take turns balancing on one leg then the other – closing your eyes makes this harder.

Go online: Jump on YouTube and find the workout for you, like Joe Wicks’ workouts for all the family.

For tips from the NHS, Sport England and more, and to download the new fitness app from Camden Council’s partner Better, visit camden.gov.uk/staying-active or call 020 7974 4444 (option 9) for online support.

Watch your speed Unfortunately TfL is reporting an increase in speeding across London, including Gower Street in Camden. While collisions have reduced, when they do happen the increased speeds mean they are more likely to be fatal or serious.

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

Breaking the speed limit is extraordinarily dangerous, especially during this time, putting extra strain on the NHS and other emergency services. No one should be travelling on the roads unless they are a critical worker or making an absolutely essential journey.

Remember, despite reduced traffic, the speed limit always applies – 20mph in Camden. The police will take action against speeding drivers who are choosing to put themselves and others at risk.

CORONAVIRUS

PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS