COVID-19 - A MESSAGE FROM MONTPELIER HEALTH CENTRE We are all aware that we are living in difficult and challenging times because of COVID-19. We understand that this is a strange and uncertain time for everyone, and very different from how life has ever been before. Our health centre also seems very different because of additional safety measures in place to keep our patients safe, and queuing outside the surgery due to limited space in the waiting room because of social distancing. Our main job is to focus on the most unwell patients: to work out which of them need hospital care and those who we can help in the community. Many patients will have medical problems that have nothing to do with Covid-19, because these things won’t go away while we fight this crisis. All the usual serious problems like heart problems, depression, strokes and cancer won’t stop and we will need to keep treating these as well as Covid-19 Under the instruction of NHS England all appointments are triaged. There will currently be NO facility to book directly into a face-to-face appointment. Why must we do this? Firstly, the Government have instructed us to. Secondly, anyone who enters the building that doesn't need to poses a risk to themselves, other patients and our staff. We have an obligation to protect our staff and patients from harm. Please be assured we are still here and are still working! Our flu clinics will be running as normal, although socially distanced. Personal appointments are offered on need and if we determine that you need to be seen then you will be seen. Believe us it feels unsatisfactory having to limit face to face appointments. We miss the personal contact! . Our ideas and plans for 2020 had included more involvement in the wider Montpelier locality (for patients and non-patients) in community events. Due to Covid-19 we obviously had to put these plans on hold. Let’s hope that these can become a reality in 2021. In the meantime, we hope you can understand the need for this different way of working. Keep safe everybody.
ST WERBURGHS COMMUNITY CENTRE LOCKDOWN SUPPORT We know it's another lockdown, but we are still here to support our community. There is a range of services still operating at St Werburghs Community Centre, now all by appointment only. Call 0117 955 1351 or office@stwerburghs.org.uk to book or ask any questions.
BEFRIENDING
Monday-Tuesday: Telephone Befriending Service for people who would like to receive regular calls. We will offer a friendly, listening ear and can connect people to other services if needed. Contact 07544829760 or email office@stwerburghs.org.uk Funded by the Coronavirus Community Support Fund from the National Lottery Community Fund.
ST WERBESS STAY & PLAY
Tuesday: Stay & Play for pre-school children & their grown ups,10 -11.45 am. Mutual support & a safe space to play. Free flow & parent/carer led. Booking essential to reserve your space.
PRINTING & SIGNPOSTING
Tuesday-Friday: Do you need help accessing the right service? Or want advice on local support networks? We can signpost you to the right service & you can also access Wi-Fi, print, scan, photocopy essential documents at the Centre. Funded by Bristol City Council's Bristol Impact Fund.
TAI CHI
Friday: Tai Chi mutual support group for older people, 2-3pm. Booking essential.
EASY PC
Wednesday: One-to-one digital support by appointment only. Our free computer lessons will continue to help individuals with their digital needs through lockdown. Funded by BCC Bristol Impact Fund
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OPEN ACCESS COMPUTERS
Tuesday-Friday: Our lobby computers and Wi-Fi are available to use for essential needs. This includes job searches, housing, banking & online food shopping. Funded by BCC Bristol Impact Fund.
HOT DESKING
Tuesday-Friday: Hotdesking, £10 per day/ £100 a month. Lockable spaces available, Wi-Fi & access to refreshment area included.
EMPLOYMENT ADVICE
Wednesday-Thursday: Employment advice is available at the Centre. Booking is essential. Funded by the Coronavirus Community Support Fund from the National Lottery Community Fund.
KICKSTART OPPORTUNITY
We are looking into providing a range of community outreach work placements for 16-24 year old Universal Credit claimants, registered with JobCentrePlus via the Kick Start programme (flexible working hours). jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/kickstart/
Like many other charities, St Werburghs Community Centre has had to re-evaluate and change how we provide our services through the pandemic. We knew it was essential to support the wellbeing, health both mentally and physically of our community and still be a go-to place for signposting advice. Change was essential and we have diversified our projects & how we provide them. • Raking & Baking, our cooking and gardening course has become an outreach project. • To support digital inclusion, the free access computers in our lobby are still available to book by appointment only. • Mutual support groups will continue to run at the Centre including Stay & Play. Helping grown-up with young children to support each other through this isolating time. • A Food Bank has been set up at the Centre to support local families. • To tackle social isolation we have a new telephone befriending service. • We are still here to signpost, arrange digital support & help you with your printing and photocopying.
