Somerton Good Neighbours

Any elderly people in Somerset or North Somerset who feel isolated or lonely in the present lockdown situation, and would welcome the opportunity to talk to another human being, can register for Age UK Somerset's Friendly Phone Calls service. Details are below, or you can CLICK here to go to the Age UK website. Click on the image to enlarge it.

The Co-op have introduced a gift card scheme for those self-isolating and reliant on others to do their shopping. Speak to the dedicated colleagues on 0800 029 4592 to purchase a Co-op gift card which can be shared with friends, neighbours or volunteers to pay for your shopping in your local Co-op. For more information CLICK here.

A new weekly health and wellbeing slot with Charlie Taylor, every Wednesday evening between 7 and 8pm on BBC Somerset will showcase interesting, unusual and innovative ideas to raise our spirits and keep us entertained during lockdown. This evening's show will feature local Laughter Yoga practitioner, Denise Hodgson. Tune in - it'll be a giggle! It's been great to work with BBC Somerset and the Public Health Team at Somerset County Council to help make this happen! From SPARK Somerset.

Because of the speed with which the situation is changing we have now set up a facility to enable members of the public to post information directly to this blog by email. Instructions are included on our 'About us' page. Please make sure that the information you give us (and the Somerton community) comes from a reliable, preferably official, source. Please carefully check any numbers, URLs and statistics for accuracy before you send the post.

Carers Newsletter (from Somerset Carers) CLICK HERE A very useful compilation of information intended to support family and unpaid carers. Lots of contact details and numbers. Print it out and keep it handy! Somerset Carers (part of Community Council for Somerset) can be contacted on 0800 31 68 600 or online at https://somersetcarers.org.

More advice from the Money Advice Service, this time with details of things you can do now to plan ahead in case coronavirus affects you and your family. If you are concerned about how it will affect your financial decisions and your future, take a look. https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-and-your-money

Money Advice Service has produced a useful summary of the many new financial measures introduced to mitigate some of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Take time to see if any of it is relevant to your situation. https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you

If the thought of social distancing and being isolated in you own home fills you with dread, here's a list of free activities that might help beat the boredom. There is something for most ages, abilities and interests. https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has confirmed the government’s £500 million Hardship Fund will provide council tax relief to vulnerable people and households to help those affected most by coronavirus. The government has set out that the Hardship Fund, which was announced by the Chancellor at Budget, will go to local authorities in England to enable them to reduce the 2020 to 2021 council tax bills of working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support. Councils will also be able to use the funding to provide further discretionary support to vulnerable people through other support arrangements such as Local Welfare Schemes.

Lockdown - how it affects us. The new guidance (23/3/2020) says people should only leave their homes for one of four reasons: Shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicine. Shopping trips should be as infrequent as possible.  One form of exercise a day such as a run, walk or cycle. This should be done alone or only with people you live with. Any medical need , or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person . This includes moving children under the age of 18 between their parents' homes, where applicable. Key workers or those with children identified as vulnerable can continue to take their children to school. Travelling to and from work , but only where work absolutely cannot be done from home.   Even when following the above guidance, people should minimise the amount of time spent out of their homes and should keep two metres (6ft) away from people they do not live with.

Somerset Waste Partnership today announced, among other things, that all 16 Recycling Centres across the County are now closed. This is a section of their information: Recycling sites: Due to the large number of users at recycling sites, it has been impossible to maintain the required social distancing to ensure the safety of both our teams and users of the facilities. In order to protect members of the public and employees, all 16 recycling sites will be closed until they can be operated safely. In the meantime, it is strongly recommended that everyone should follow the Government advice and stay at home.

We understand that Boots Pharmacy in Somerton intends restricting access to the premises. While this is understandable in the circumstances, it is likely to cause longer waiting times, and queues outside. Please be prepared for this.

We are working on bringing some form of Food Bank to Somerton, or at least a local collection point, in conjunction with our friends at Langport Food Bank . More news as it unfolds!

Somerset Waste Partnership has issued guidance on safe disposal of potentially contaminated waste from those affected by coronavirus, and those currently in self-isolation. See our resources page or visit https://somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus. Follow @somersetwaste on Twitter or Facebook for up to date news on waste collections, recycling centres etc.