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Special issue May 2020
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Heads’ schools update: page 4 l Young people on life in lockdown: page 6
Wells mobilises in response to the lockdown ON Monday, March 23, the moment when Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered what is now known as the lockdown – effectively confining the elderly, sick and vulnerable to their homes for the foreseeable future – the people of Wells swung into action. It was clear that this new Coronavirus, Covid-19, would threaten the entire UK with mass infection, create huge pressure on the NHS, healthcare and social services, and cut short many lives. Life was about to change for us all. But even more so for those who would now have to struggle, for months, with simple everyday tasks like shopping for food,
collecting prescriptions and, just as important, would have to live without favourite things like outings and welcoming friends to their home. Within days, representatives of several Wells communitybased organisations had established what was needed – a small army of volunteers who could take care of the simple needs of our vulnerable residents, leaving the medical and specialist services free to concentrate on those with more complex requirements. So the Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN) was formed, with support from the Connect Continued on page 3
Town Crier Len Sweales is supporting the NHS and said of the Wells Coronavirus Network: ‘You are doing a fabulous job. The people of Wells appreciate your efforts.’
SHOP ONLINE WITH US FOR ALL YOUR CARE PRODUCTS The Oakville Care Centre team are still operating from the Frome branch (tel: 01373 455415), and all our infection control products that help with containing germs and viruses can be ordered online. These include Alcohol Hand Sanitisers, Surface Wipes and Masks. Browse products and place your order at:
oakvillecarecentre.co.uk
Please note that the Oakville Care Centre shop at 32 St Cuthbert Street, Wells, is temporarily closed
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Trusted source of news in troubled times THIS special issue of Wells Voice is a product of the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in today. The coronavirus pandemic has seen an unprecedented lockdown and the sudden end to life as we knew it. One consequence was the temporary suspension of the printing of many free newspapers around the country as advertising revenue abruptly vanished, and distribution became more difficult. The May issue of Wells Voice was still published online, but there was no print version. Now it is back in the form of this special issue, because it is important that the information contained in these pages
Wells Voice editor Andy Vallis reaches every household. Wells Coronavirus Network has made it possible. The network has supplied the content and has arranged for it to be printed – by St Andrew’s Press – and it will be
delivered by the network’s team of volunteers. Local news publications have become more vital than ever during the pandemic as trusted sources of news. But they have never been more at risk. The Government has provided some funding for larger organisations in the form of advertising support to help compensate for the shortfall in revenue, but not for hyperlocals such as Wells Voice. We are grateful to the local companies that have advertised in this issue for their support for Wells Voice and the Wells Coronavirus Network. The WCN has done a huge amount of good work over the
past weeks in ensuring, as far as possible, that the people who need help can receive help. We have always known that there is a strong community spirit in Wells, and the current crisis has made it stronger still. This spirit of togetherness is going to be so important in the months ahead. Local businesses will need support as they start trading again – some, of course, have never stopped – schools will need understanding as they carefully allow back more pupils, and we will all need great compassion for each other as we try to make sense of the ‘new normal’. Andy Vallis
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www.wellsvoice.co.uk CONTAC TS Editor and publisher Andy Vallis andy@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157 Advertising sales@wellsvoice.co.uk 01749 675157 Editorial news@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157
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LOC AL INFORMATION
COMPL AINTS
Wells City Council www.wells.gov.uk 01749 673091 Police www.avonandsomerset.police.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.dsfire.gov.uk General inquiries: 01392 872 200 Emergency: 999 NHS www.nhs.uk Urgent calls: 111 Emergency: 999
Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Wells Voice, contact the Editor using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Wells Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Editor.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wells Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Feedback is always welcomed – email news@ wellsvoice.co.uk.
Emma Healey from The Lawrence Centre charity delivered a frozen meal to Guinevere, courtesy of Cook in Broad Street, Wells. Note the social distancing! Cook donated 30 meals to vulnerable people who attend this day centre, particularly those alone in these difficult times. The centre has had to close during the coronavirus restrictions. ‘Guinevere and other members of TLC were thrilled with their meals,’ said the centre’s manager Maggie Charlesworth.
Positives we can take from crisis THESE challenging times of restrictions give us pause for reflection on the things that make us happy in our lives, and to think about what we often take for granted. There are positives we can take from the current crisis. The fast (and some might say unsustainable) pace and pressure of modern life can have negative effects on our health and well-being, so when we have had to “take our foot off the gas a little”, we are lucky in the Wells area to be surrounded by nature’s beauty in its green open spaces. Recent studies have shown that spending time in
Wells Coronavirus Network helpline: 01749 467079
natural outdoors environments, particularly woods or forests, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, promotes better sleep, boosts our immune system, improves heart health, elevates our mood, and improves our concentration and memory. The Japanese have a name for this: “shinrin-yoku” or “forest bathing”. It doesn’t involve immersion in water, just quality time to sit or walk among the trees and absorb the natural immune-boosting phytoncides – and just listen, smell, watch, feel. I promise you’ll feel better. Paul Sensecall Wookey Hole
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Network provides hub for Wells area From page 1 Centre, Storehouse Foodbank, Neighbourhood Watch, members of both Wells City Council and Mendip District Council, Health Connections Mendip, Spark Somerset, the local police, and many others. Its role – to act as a hub for the Wells area to provide information and support for the many and various problems that lockdown and the closure of almost everything created. WCN volunteers would look after the simple stuff. Every request for help that required more specialised advice or intervention would be referred swiftly, by a trained team, to the most appropriate source of support. The response to our call for volunteers has been astonishing, proving what a communityspirited area this is. More than 300 residents have volunteered to help. “The range of people who have come forward is truly wonderful,” says Philip Welch, WCN’s spokesperson and Deputy Mayor of Wells. “People of all ages, young and old, from every part of Wells and the villages, with such a wide
range of skills and experience.” Since WCN’s formation, things have developed fast: l By May 1, well over 400 calls for support had been answered and resolved. l The website www.helpwells. co.uk contains an ever-growing range of advice, information and sources of support. l The volunteers are organised by ward, close to where they live. l The central phone line 01749 467079 is manned from 9am to 5pm every day and the email address hello@helpwells.co.uk is constantly checked. l The WCN prescription delivery team is delivering more than 50 prescriptions a week. l The WCN food team, who regularly update the list of food delivery services on the WCN website, has set up a food parcel service to supplement those from the Connect Centre and Storehouse Foodbank as demand increases. l WCN “Befriender” phone volunteers have been trained and are contacting the isolated. l Recognising that we are often dealing with vulnerable people, strict codes of confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding govern every aspect of WCN’s work.
WCN uses Zoom online conferencing software for meetings
Important to convey information COMMUNICATIONS are different in this “New Normal” but can be critical. So WCN set up its own Facebook – called unsurprisingly Wells Coronavirus Network – created by Sam Hurt and Michelle Doubtfire, who went on to create the www.helpwells. co.uk website which is now maintained by the WCN team.
As many in Wells may not be regular users of social media or the internet WCN have also delivered informative cards across the city as well as put up posters and banners to reach out to people. Now, thanks to the support of Wells Voice editor Andy Vallis, we have published this special issue.
Your local legal experts Services for you
Gifts welcome to help with work
• Residential property
• Wills and trusts
• Agricultural property
• Probate and estate administration
WELLS Coronavirus Network was founded on good neighbourliness. Over 300 volunteers are supporting residents who are suffering economically, socially or from ill health during the outbreak. This community-wide response has elicited generous donations from many sources, including: Somerset Community Foundation, Wells City Council, Waitrose and Tesco, as well as individual residents. We are so grateful. But as we enter a third month of restrictions, more people are finding life very hard and we need your help. Your funding enables our volunteers to respond flexibly and immediately to emergency needs: l £5 pays for the telephone helpline for one week.
• Dispute resolution
• Powers of Attorney
• Mediation
• Court of Protection
l £20 pays the travel costs of one prescription service volunteer for one month. l £50 pays for one emergency food box for a household. l £125 pays for one print run of leaflets/postcards to every household with WCN contact details. Gifts at every level are welcome and are entirely voluntary. You can make a donation by: 1 Bank transfer reference: Wells Coronavirus Network to: Lloyds Bank, A/c Project Factory CIC, Sort: 30-98-97, A/c No. 77040368 2 Cheque - payable to: Project Factory CIC and posted to: Wells Coronavirus Network, C/o Project Factory CIC, Launcherley Farm, Launcherley, Wells BA5 1QJ
• Employment law
Services for business • Commercial property
• Business and company sales
• Commercial leases
• Business and company acquisitions
• Charity property
• Business and company advice
• Dispute resolution
• Employment law and HR support
• Mediation
Our first advice will always be free Street:
Glastonbury
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01458 442433
01458 833700
01749 675535
Direct lawyer contact • No hidden costs • Free first advice • Same day response
Wells Coronavirus Network email: hello@helpwells.co.uk
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Schools adapt to unprecedented situation Return will be a carefully considered process STOBERRY PARK AT Stoberry Park School it is almost business as usual albeit on a much smaller scale. Even though the media heralded the closure of schools, we have been open every day since the announcement for key worker children. Not just our normal working weeks but right across the Easter holiday and the bank holidays. We are currently providing care for between 12 and 20 children daily. Not only are we caring for our key worker children but also some of our vulnerable pupils too. Stoberry Park School has, for many years, produced pupil reports at the start of the summer term. The partial closure and fact that staff are working from home did not pose a problem. The use of technology to produce the reports and then the support of a small group of staff ensured that the majority of the 320 reports were hand delivered according to the timetable set. Teaching staff communicate with their class on a regular basis. The school website provides pupils with a learning space and a blog. We provide access to online resources and are now looking at an online service to provide pupils with access to over 5,000 carefully
graded reading books. However our message to parents is one of taking care of their mental wellbeing. We have told parents not to worry about what other children are doing or about the completion of all the work. Days of cooking, gardening and helping at home provide a learning experience difficult to replicate in school. At Stoberry we have a large number of children who qualify for free school meals. As soon as the closure was announced the school administration and leadership sprang into action and those families requesting free school meals had £60 Tesco vouchers issued within days. Following this the school investigated, unsuccessfully over almost three days, the Government-funded free school meals. With a realisation that some of our vulnerable families could not wait to see if vouchers would appear, the school leadership organised, with the help of the local authority, a weekly food delivery. In addition, the school is part of the Fare Share network and again hand delivers groceries every Monday to those families in real need. One of our assistant headteachers and the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) supported by the PFSA (Parent and Family Support Advisor) phone families who need support every week to check they are OK. In addition to this, as head teacher, I have been phoning all members of staff to see that they are coping in these very difficult times.
At the Heart of England’s Smallest City City of Wells Town Hall Various rooms to hire for: Conferences, Seminars Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions, Marriages, Receptions, all types of Meetings and Local Group Classes Very reasonable rates
For Prices and Bookings contact the Town Hall Manager- Tel: 01749 673091. e-mail: thm@wells.gov.uk Website: www.wells.gov.uk
We are already developing plans ready for some form of return but it is likely there will need to be a new normal and we can only plan for whatever this new normal is when the Government instructs us clearly as to what will happen. I am however, confident that our team will meet each new requirement with confidence but above all else they will do it with the best interests of the pupils in mind. I, in turn, will make decisions not only based on the best interest of the children but also of staff and the wider community. A return to school will not be a celebratory throwing open of the gates and welcoming everyone back into school. It has to be a carefully considered process which is mindful of the concerns of parents and the worries of all. Michael Hawkins Headteacher Stoberry Park School
Planning for new normal for forseeable future CHEWTON MENDIP THE current pandemic and situation around school closure has been unprecedented in recent times. Despite the Mendips being fairly unaffected it has meant that decisions had to made rapidly and with the information which was to hand at the time. I am sure that in the months to come reviews will be conducted and plans put in place for a possible reoccurrence of the virus in the autumn. The success of the school in handling this crisis came down to relationships – within the staff team, with local schools and with parents. In the weeks leading up to closure we had ensured adequate stocks of cleaning and hand washing materials were available and a comprehensive Risk Assessment was published. Prior to closure, we made a decision as a staff to post three activities a day for online learning. Teachers have been in regular online and telephone
Wells Coronavirus Network helpline: 01749 467079
contact with parents to support both with educational and more general enquiries. We have tried to ensure there is a mix of practical and written tasks although this is more tricky as children get older and we are aware that parents may need the computer for their own work. The staff have also been planning activities for all children to complete so we can be together while apart and maintain a sense of community; one of those was to mark VE Day and the other a craft activity. Above all, we have stressed that mental and physical wellbeing is more important than any worksheet completed. School staff have been accessing online CPD to enhance their own knowledge and skills whilst working remotely. I have been in regular contact with them all to ensure that they are coping with the new way of working and that they and their families are keeping safe and well. In order to support our most vulnerable families we have provided additional paper resources for home learning and initially provided Tesco vouchers for children entitled to Free School Meals prior to the Government scheme being established. On May 10, an announcement was made that Reception, Y1 and Y6 pupils may return to school on June 1. However, this won’t be a normal return to school as social distancing measures are likely to remain in force. The challenges of social distancing should not be underestimated with Reception and Y1 children who are 4-6 years old. Finally, the goodwill and strong staff team we have at Chewton Mendip has paid dividends as everyone has stepped up to offer help where they are able. Covid-19 has tested us like nothing we have experienced before. Our school families have been supportive, responsible and they have also recognised the challenges ahead for us all. We will be planning for a new normal in school for the foreseeable future. Clare Rice Headteacher Chewton Mendip VA Primary School
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5 Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid
Conveyancing during the coronavirus pandemic By Gemma Parsons
We would like to thank Tom Wood of St Andrew’s Press in Wells for his generous support printing the Wells Coronavirus Network posters, banners and cards which we have delivered to supermarkets and retailers. Here he is with our poster at Tesco. Many of the retailers said they would refer elderly or vulnerable shoppers to WCN and/or put one of our cards in with their shopping.
A tale of two cities BACK in the days that we used to call “Normal Times”, we Wellensians would tell each other how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful historic city, far from the horrid, deprived, crime-ridden streets of the big industrial conurbations. And when we bumped into people from other cities or towns, they would often say how envious they were of us, living here in such peaceful, comfortable surroundings. And we were right; they were right. Or were they? Yes, the Coronavirus emergency has brought out the best in us. Care organisations, friends and neighbours, supported by all those Wells Coronavirus Network’s volunteers, have turned out in
their hundreds to make sure that those among us for whom lockdown meant locked-in could still get their shopping, their medication and a friendly phone call. And yet, the emergency has revealed another side to Wells that many of us had no idea existed, or perhaps that we chose to ignore. On Thursday May 7, the Connect Centre in Chamberlain Street, part of whose mission is to feed the homeless, prepared, cooked and handed out 80 (yes, 80) meals for our fellow Wellensians who otherwise would have had nothing to eat that day. Food for thought, I would suggest, for when whatever New Normal looks like emerges. Simon Lawder
THE world of buying, selling and renting houses has changed enormously during the current pandemic. So far it is a game of two halves, the second half having just started. From late March until May 13, everybody in the property market was subject to a stringent set of rules that resulted in just a few sales and purchases creeping through to completion but the majority either falling through or being delayed. As one would expect, this has resulted in a tremendous drop in transaction rate, and most residential conveyancing firms will have had to place at least some of their staff on furlough. There simply has not been enough work for everybody carrying out residential conveyancing work to do in circumstances where surveys could not be carried out, prospective buyers could not look around houses and completions could hardly take place. The landscape changed overnight on May 12/13 with a Statutory Instrument that amongst other things dealt with people’s ability to carry out property transactions. This provides that as long as we stick to Government guidance, most of what is needed to sell, buy or rent a residential property could go ahead.
HOW TO CONTACT Wells Coronavirus Network Phone: 01749 467079 Email: hello@helpwells.co.uk Facebook: Wells Coronavirus Network Website: helpwells.co.uk
This includes visiting estate agents or letting agents or sales offices in show homes, viewing houses and flats, preparing residences to move in, actually moving home and visiting a residential property to undertake “activities required for the rental or sale of that property”. This latter point has been of great importance so far because many surveyors have stopped carrying out surveys and valuations which has delayed mortgage offers and purchases. It is too early to tell how this will affect the housing market, but it must be good news for those involved in the industry. I am sure everybody will be very cautious about how they operate in this new climate. The jury is still out as to whether we have a quick recovery, or a slow more graduated return to normality. I would expect (and indeed I am already experiencing) quite a few buyers trying to reduce the price in transactions that have been delayed. Also there may be a shift towards certain types of property that are now more attractive – e.g. family homes with gardens may be favoured. It will be interesting to see what happens to the London and more urban markets. Chubb Bulleid have been open and working throughout the coronavirus crisis and will continue to do so whether we are home or whether we are in our offices. We are raring to go! n Gemma Parsons is a legal executive with Chubb Bulleid, which has offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.
Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100
Personal legal services for you, your business and your family www.chubb-bulleid.co.uk
Wells Coronavirus Network email: hello@helpwells.co.uk
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Three young people on life under lockdown
It has been a perfect time to re-evaluate things PRE Covid-19 outbreak, I found myself getting busier with cinematography and photography work. I was really peaking in my craft and had lots of exciting projects in the works, including producing content for music videos and sport events. During lockdown, it is really hard to have to say goodbye to those projects for a while. I am freelance, so having to stay at home isn’t too much of a big deal for me as I am used to being inside editing my films on my computer. What affects me the most is just knowing I don’t have the freedom to go and venture off to Cornwall or up north to take photos, which I commonly do for fun or work. However, I didn’t want to waste my time during this period of being stuck at home, I had lots of ideas and personal projects I wanted to execute and it has also been a perfect time to re-evaluate myself and my career. I have been planning future projects for when restrictions are lifted, getting closer to my family by building swings and tree-houses in the garden for my little sister,
and the most exciting thing I did was practically transform the house into a film set and created some awesome photos inside. Although it’s starting to get hard to resist going out now we are in week eight of isolation, it’s really important to follow the rules and I plan on continuing to brainstorm new film and photo ideas that I can go ahead and accomplish when we are all allowed back out again. I can also celebrate my 21st birthday properly, which was two days after the lockdown started. 21-year-old Harry Steele Rodney Stoke
I’m hoping we get back to school before too long I HAVE been working as a volunteer for Project Factory since Christmas and, once lockdown started, signed up as a volunteer for the Wells Coronavirus Network. When lockdown was first announced I felt relieved that the pressure of school had been taken away, however I quickly realised that not seeing my friends and not playing sport would be a big challenge. Over time I have realised there have been upsides and downsides. I have enjoyed spending time with my family, especially the dog who has come out as the most agreeable member! We have been taking it in
turns to cook and I tried an Italian theme with the Sicilian variation of lasagne. In that way lockdown has enabled me to do a lot of new things which has been good. I have been cycling a lot and have been amazed at the community in the form of the rainbows in everyone’s windows. The weather has been fantastic and I have noticed the birds are louder than usual. It has also been good to notice the significantly greater number of animals about. My grandparents have been in isolation and are finding it boring and difficult, I am looking forward to seeing them again in person rather than on Zoom. I have been hard at work online learning, which has also been slightly better than I expected although I must admit I am really hoping we get back to school before the summer holidays. Seventeen-year-old Hector Wells
Young people have not been considered enough ON our seventh week of lockdown I think everybody has adjusted in many respects to the rules. I certainly have. I haven’t seen my friends since the beginning. Not seeing my friends has been the hardest. For some people, lockdown has been fun; it’s nice to not have any responsibilities, especially since my year group no longer have to do a conventional GCSE exam. We have been set work from school despite not yet having started our A-level
courses to keep our minds alert. I don’t think young people have been considered enough during this time. Seeing as we normally spend every day at school with our friends they are similar to a family for many and it’s hard to adjust to never being allowed to see them. Additionally, many children worry about the lower income or possibility of their parent or parents losing their job. Children
and teens notice and worry about more than adults often realise. For me, lockdown has not been easy but it has been manageable. I spend a lot of time helping to look after a neighbour’s horses which is a great way to relax and pass my time as animals still require care. For many young people not just in our area but across the world they face a long period of anxiety and extra responsibility. Please don’t forget us just because we don’t have dependants. We are the dependants and we are affected too. Fifteen-year-old Anna Wells
Feed & Weed / Mowing / Renovation Moss Control www.stevecollinslawncare.co.uk 01749 595224 Wells Coronavirus Network helpline: 01749 467079
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7 Focus on health with Bluebird Care
Don’t let Covid-19 stop you. Choose care at home
Examples of the supplies donated to the Connect Centre in Wells
Routine changed but work goes on DURING the lockdown, the Connect Centre has had to change its normal routine dramatically. The Outreach Team are busier than ever trying to make sure the most vulnerable in our community are still being supported and, where possible, housed and our Youth Team is still busy by connecting with the young people via online chats and activities. The Church here has also gone digital and is offering services, group activities, online chats and other sessions for those who want to stay connected in faith. The Community Centre side of things has also seen enormous changes, gone are the days when we would welcome a wide range of people through our doors for group sessions, clubs, meetings, events and those seeking support. Thanks to the generosity
of the local community we have been able to continue our work to support lots of people who have been affected by the lockdown in our area. We’ve been grateful to receive donations of hand sanitiser, face masks, and thanks to the loan of fridges and freezers, we are able to store more food kindly donated by local supermarkets, shops, food producers and local people. With the help of an amazing team of staff, volunteers and the Wells Coronavirus Network we are able to offer food twice a week, including deliveries, and have now provided over 200 meals and food parcels. We are all so thankful to those who have enabled us to continue our work, in so many areas, and look forward to continuing to do so. Sharon Edmonds Connect Centre
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the correct amount of PPE – ensuring that customers and our team members are fully protected. Every single time our care staff step into the homes of customers, their faces light up. We know that our visits have helped reduce anxiety and have promoted positive mental health – especially during these uncertain and challenging times. Live-in care is also increasingly popular, and we know that families are reassured by the fact that their loved ones have somebody looking after them at all times of the day and night.”
Customers always come first at Bluebird Care Bluebird Care prides itself on keeping people happy and safe in their own homes. Services range from 30-minute visits, through to full live-in care services, end-of-life care and everything in between. We help people live their best lives no matter their age, ability, health or state of mind.
Regular health and wellbeing checks Bluebird Care also helps bridge the gap between health and social care with its health and wellbeing checks service: Bluebird Care Assist. This service has helped free up NHS resources, such as district nurses and GPs, and helps customers to avoid hospital admissions. The health and wellbeing checks comprise of a 30-minute appointment from specially trained ‘Care Champions’, who visit once a week to check the customer’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, alertness and breathing, and find out more about their overall wellbeing. Scores are generated and put into a ‘NEWS2 matrix’ where, if results show a decline, they are automatically shared with a healthcare professional, such as a GP, who can then take the appropriate course of action to support the customer.
“When it comes to Covid-19, I do not feel affected at all. The carers that visit me each day are superb, as always. Nothing is too much trouble. I feel extremely supported and happy and really look forward to seeing them daily.” AH, Bluebird Care customer With our tailored care packages, you will always be safe and well looked after Masen Naidoo, Director at Bluebird Care, said: “All our care staff are highly skilled, knowledgeable, kind, caring and compassionate and they absolutely love caring for customers in their own homes. The joy the job brings to them cannot be found anywhere else. “The current pandemic hasn’t prevented us from providing the best care possible to the people we support, and it won’t in the future either. All our Care Assistants visit each home with
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Wells Coronavirus Network email: hello@helpwells.co.uk
“Choosing care at home for my Mother was the best decision we could have made. The staff are simply amazing, and it gives us peace of mind knowing how well she is treated. We wouldn’t want Mum to be anywhere else but in her own home. Bluebird Care has made this possible.” DC, son of a Bluebird Care Mendip customer
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‘I’m alright dear, really’ ONE of the great strengths of the British character, especially among the older generation, is our fierce sense of independence. But, in an emergency such as the one we are all experiencing now, it can also become a weakness – and a dangerous weakness at that. At WCN, we try to keep a weather eye on how the more vulnerable in our community are getting along. And there’s one thing we see too often – elderly, frail people standing patiently in the socially-distanced queue, waiting to enter the supermarket. It can be cold out there, but there they stand all wrapped up, perhaps too proud to ask for help, perhaps just having an escape from their own boring lockdown. And we say to ourselves: “That person shouldn’t be doing their own shopping. There’s no need.” And our guess is that these are the people who, when their faraway family ring up and ask: “How are you doing, Grandpa/
Grandma?” they always reply, “I’m alright dear, really”. That’s why WCN have arranged with each of the supermarkets, Boots in the High Street and several High Street stores, to display large, easyto-read posters in their window and hand out WCN cards with our contact details to their older customers. The store managers are fully behind our campaign. We’ve also given each of the residents of our sheltered housing and retirement homes a letter, telling them more about ordering food online and how we can help. And you can help too. If you see one of your neighbours, who shouldn’t be shopping for themselves, why not have a gentle, friendly but respectful word with them and suggest they get in touch with WCN? In the end, it’s their choice. But at least they’ll know that you care. Simon Lawder South Horrington
Wells artist Chris Lee’s take on the current situation
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If you need heating oil or have Gas/Oil Boiler problems, give us a call and we will be happy to help. Please stay safe and together we will stop the spread of Covid-19.
Tel: 01749 683911 www.tincknells.com
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Team makes sure residents getting their prescriptions WCN’S prescription delivery service has evolved from one woman on her motorbike answering requests for help on a community Facebook group to a 13-strong team. There are now four who share admin duties, each taking one or two days a week each. We take the email requests coming in from the helpline and enter the service users and prescription requests onto a database. The daily requests are sorted into reports based on pharmacy, which are issued to the volunteer who is on the rota for that pharmacy. We have a policy of “one volunteer, per pharmacy, per day” and also have arrangements with the pharmacies who prepare the prescriptions in advance in order to reduce the risk to volunteers. The volunteers do the pharmacy runs after 2pm, which allows any morning requests to be delivered the same day. If we have urgent requests, we have a pool of volunteers who can make another run if absolutely necessary. All prescription volunteers are trained remotely using online
The service was very efficient VERY many thanks to the Wells Coronavirus Network for the prescription collection service. Following a phone call to WCN on Monday morning, a young lady on a motorbike – I believe her name was Naomi – turned up in the afternoon with the medication and left it in the place that we had specified. The service was very efficient and couldn’t have been easier for us. John and Lynda Bath Road Wells
tools such as Zoom and there are guidelines to help them carry out the role in the safest way possible for them and the service users.
I don’t know what I would have done without them “IN the early days of lockdown I came across a post on the Wells Community Notice Board initially of someone thanking a lady called Naomi Sharp for picking up their prescription, and over the next couple of days I saw a couple more people thanking her. “So I messaged Naomi by commenting on her message to someone else, asking her if she could do the same for me and she answered me immediately and said yes. I was very relieved as there were three people in the house who were all vulnerable. I myself was recovering from major heart surgery and urgently needed my medication picking up from Tesco. “I messaged Naomi with my name, address and telephone number that morning and in the afternoon she appeared on her trusty steed (her motor bike if I’m honest). “The doorbell rang, I opened
Naomi Sharp with her motorbike collecting a prescription from the Boots pharmacy on the Priory Health Park
Our work is greatly appreciated by the people we are helping I WOULD like to say an enormous thank you to the whole team of WCN prescription delivery and admin volunteers. Between us we have delivered more than 360 prescriptions to the people who live in and around Wells. The contribution of each volunteer has made sure the workload is manageable for us all. We are all part of an amazing, efficient service where most requests are delivered the same the door and on the floor in front of me was my prescription and stood aways back from the door was Naomi. “She was a breath of fresh air, after being cooped up in the house. She not only delivered the prescription, she took off her helmet and we had a lovely chat, she checked that we were okay, and asked if we needed any help with shopping or anything else. “To date I’ve had half a dozen visits from various members of what I now know to be the Wells Coronavirus Network. If anyone needs to use their services, it’s a very easy process. You can either go onto their website or call their helpline number. “You may not always get the same person who answers the phone, as there are now a large group of people who are volunteering their time, to support the people of Wells and surrounding villages, at various
Wells Coronavirus Network email: hello@helpwells.co.uk
day. Really well done for the work you are doing for our community, it is greatly appreciated and makes a huge difference to the people we are helping. We would also all like to extend our thanks to WCN’s Ward Area Coordinators and call handlers who do a great job of passing the requests to us with all the information we need to be able to carry out our deliveries. Naomi Sharp times. It’s an amazing service and personally, I don’t know what I would have done without them. “Thank you so much, you’re all truly amazing people who are now the Wells Community Network.” Marilyn Stephens Wells
Thank you to our knights in shining armour “I WOULD like to express our gratitude for the assistance help Wells Coronavirus Network volunteers have given us collecting prescriptions, etc. “Being in the vulnerable classification owing to poor health left us panicking about medication but then along came Naomi and colleagues, our knights in shining armour. Thank you all for your help.” Mick and Val Wells
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Here to help – in their hundreds IF anyone tells you that the people of Wells “won’t lift a finger to help out”, you can tell them from us, that’s nonsense. No sooner had word spread that Wells Coronavirus Network was looking for volunteers than the offers quite literally flooded in. At the last count, we have more than 300 local people on our books, people of all ages, from teenagers to the “ageing gracefully”, people of every
Volunteer Margaret Wilson manning the helpline from home
conceivable profession and skill. We have artists, teachers, a farm vet, a lawyer, two priests, a firefighter, a paramedic, even an artificial insemination technician! All ready and willing to do what they can to help their locked-down neighbours. And so our message to you is this – these people are your neighbours too. Some of them live close to you. We have sufficient volunteers looking for work so please don’t worry about calling us. As a bonus, you’ll meet people you may not have met before and, once the emergency is over, who knows, we could all meet up for a coffee or a glass of wine. It’s called community and it’s one of those important things that makes life in Wells such fun. Trisha Leigh and Simon Lawder WCN Level 1 Volunteer Backup team
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Karen Deverell, one of the Level 2 team volunteers
‘Volunteers helping me worry less’ THE Level 2 team at WCN can offer support to people who need more than having their shopping done or a prescription picked up. Shirley, whose normal face-to-face support networks are not available during the lockdown, was referred to us and we were able to arrange a weekly telephone befriending call because her pre-existing medical condition means that she’s even more anxious during the current lockdown. Working with staff at the mental health charity Heads Up, our volunteers are supporting some of their clients during selfisolation. WCN Pharmacy team have referred very vulnerable, isolated people, who might otherwise have gone unnoticed, to our
Call handlers busy offering assistance TO date we have answered more than 500 phone calls to WCN’s helpline 01749 467079 from residents all over Wells. Call handlers have enjoyed interacting with citizens and being the first line in the network’s response. On the telephone lines we can connect people with the three areas of support provided by the network as well as directing callers towards other resources such as local deliveries. We also enjoy a good chat and have learnt plenty from our callers. Thank you to the callers who share tips with us. Charlotte Farmer
Wells Coronavirus Network helpline: 01749 467079
team and with their permission we’ve been able to bring them to the attention of other agencies like Mendip Health Connections or Somerset Carers and to Aster where appropriate. We’ve arranged emergency food parcels, through our partner organisations Storehouse and the Connect Centre, for people who suddenly find themselves in difficulties and without food. “The WCN volunteers who check that Dad’s flat is secure when he’s gone to bed are helping me worry less,” said Brian, who is shielding due to his own health conditions. “In normal times he manages really well but the lack of social contact and his usual routines have left him confused.” Claire Chettoe
3 LEVELS OF SUPPORT THE Wells Coronavirus Network divides its work into three levels. LEVEL 1: When our volunteers resolve simple problems as locally as possible, for example providing residents with details on how to contact the services they need. This is usually done through the phone helpline 01749 467079. LEVEL 2: When volunteers with relevant experience provide residents with additional support for more difficult issues. LEVEL 3: When the issue raised requires intervention by a statutory body. Our volunteers ensure that the resident has the necessary contact details.
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What they say about Wells Coronavirus Network staffed. Don’t sit on symptoms. We are worried that people are delaying their blood and other tests,” said Dr Pearce.
l “I just wanted to thank you for all that you are doing during the current crisis,” said Dr Jonathan Bench, Lead GP Partner at Wells Health Centre. “It really is hugely helpful to us at the Health Centre, and I am sure at Wells City Practice, to know of all that your volunteers are doing in our wonderful community. “Having a contact number to give to our patients, knowing that there will be a friendly person with local knowledge at the other end allows us to focus on the medical aspects of care for our patients. We really do appreciate it.”
Bishop Ruth and Bishop Peter pictured before the lockdown
l Bishop Peter, Bishop of Bath & Wells, and Bishop Ruth, Bishop of Taunton, said: “We are pleased to commend the Wells Coronavirus Network to residents of the city and area. “It is wonderful to see how people are responding and supporting each other in this
time of crisis. People are setting aside their fears and anxieties to help others and building strong community bonds, that will last, we hope, beyond this current crisis, and help to forge a better future for us all. Our prayers continue for the network, and all of us during this period.”
l Dr Michael Pearce from Wells City Practice attended one of WCN’s meeting and said he was really grateful for our service and all we are doing. “It’s great to have WCN to refer people to. Please spread the word that the Wells NHS surgeries are open and fully
l “On behalf of Wells City Council I am very happy to give our full support and congratulations to the work being carried out by the Wells Coronavirus Network,” said Wells Town Clerk Steve Luck. “They are giving so much help and support to the people in need in our community and we are grateful to all the volunteers giving up their time. “This community group shows us all the good things about Wells and that it is a special place to live and work.” l “I am very impressed with your work and the way you are organised,” said Jack Godley, a senior Mendip District Council officer who came to a WCN meeting to learn what the network does.
Wells Coronavirus Network partner organisations
Wells Coronavirus Network email: hello@helpwells.co.uk