Wellbeing in Partnership E-Bulletin – Bromsgrove & Redditch – Update 51
Dear all,
Please find the latest information bulletin below. (Please note: These bulletins are designed to replace our monthly e-newsletter for the time being, with Covid related information at the top.)
COVID Vaccinations
- Over 16’s can now receive a Covid-19 vaccination. Anyone aged 16 or over who are registered with a GP surgery in England can book their vaccination appointment(s). To find out more, including information on walk-in sites, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or call 119.
- Anyone aged between 16 years to 17 years and 9 months require one dose only. Anyone aged over 17 years and 9 months requires 2 doses.
- All children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and guardians will get a letter with information about when the vaccine will be offered. Most children will be given their vaccine at school. Some children are being offered 2 doses of the vaccine and will be contacted directly by the NHS.
- For further information on who can get the vaccine, broken down into the different age categories, can be found at: Who can get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Information on who can get a booster vaccine can be found at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Anyone not registered with a GP Surgery can do so for free and further information can be found at: How to register with a GP surgery – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Can’t find your NHS number to book an appointment? Then use this link: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/
- Need to know more on Covid Vaccinations? Further information can be found on the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
REMINDER – COVID Testing – Rapid Lateral Flow Tests & PCR Tests
Everyone can access FREE regular rapid tests. They are for people who DO NOT have any symptoms. Regular, twice weekly rapid testing is encouraged, even if you have been vaccinated. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. Getting tested regularly finds hidden cases, ensuring you don’t pass it onto family members, friends or workmates. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.
You can book at test, order online or simply pick up home testing at a range of local venues. Your employer may also offer free rapid lateral flow testing. The tests give you a result in just 30 minutes. Further information, including FAQs, can be found here.
Have symptoms and need a free PCR test? Go to: Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In some circumstances, you can also have a PCR test without symptoms, such as you have had a positive rapid lateral flow test or you are aware you have come into contact with someone who has COVID‑19, for instance. Further information and advice can be found using the same ‘Get a free PCR test’ link above
Further information on both types of tests can be found here.
COVID Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme (includes eligible parents/guardians)
Since Monday 16th August 2021, changes to self isolation rules have affected who is able to claim a support payment. Redditch and Bromsgrove residents can find out more on eligibility and how to apply at:
REMINDER – Public Health Worcestershire – latest Vaccination / COVID data and messages
- Worcestershire COVID-19 Vaccinations Dashboard – The latest Worcestershire vaccination data is publicly available online and includes a District and MSOA (middle-layer super output area) breakdown by age group.
- Real Time Worcestershire Coronavirus Data – is publicly available. The live dashboard shows the numbers of new cases Worcestershire wide and also by District. Further information about COVID-19 cases in Worcestershire can be found through the LG inform data website. There are also interactive maps covering all of the UK can be found on the gov.uk website.
- COVID-19 Self Isolation – Guides available – Please follow this link to download the Covid-19 Self Isolation guide produced by Public Health Worcestershire to help anyone who needs to self‑isolate. There is also a family version of the guide available using this link. They explain why it’s important to self-isolate when required, highlights help available (including financial support), provides advice and tips, and answers frequently asked questions.
- Please see the Worcestershire Public Health pages – for any local messages around restriction updates, vaccinations, advice and guidance, including a link to the Government’s COVID-19 Response Autumn and Winter Plan 2021.
REMINDER – The Local Community Responses aimed at supporting residents through the Covid-19 pandemic
Further details on the local community responses aimed at supporting residents through the Covid-19 pandemic is attached but basic contact details are listed below. Please help ensure all local residents are aware so everyone is directed to and receives the support they need during this time:
· Support Bromsgrove – www.supportbromsgrove.com – Tel: (24 hr answerphone) 01527 306490 or Email: (poster attached)
· Redditch East Stronger Together (REST) – Tel: 01527 919869
· Support Redditch Emergency Network (SREN) – Tel: 01527 359008 or Email:
· Here2Help Worcestershire – www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help – Tel: 01905 768053
Service / Support – Information Updates
- *REMINDER* Recruiting two Community Builders – Catshill and Rubery – Do you know anyone who lives or works in Catshill or Rubery who loves their community and has a real desire to work alongside a whole range of people? If so, let them know about this exciting opportunity! As a Community Builder they will spend time getting to know the community and working with them to drive sustainable community‑driven development. Further details, including the full job description, can be found at: Paid Roles – NewStarts. The deadline for applications is 15 October. Please help by sharing this Facebook post.
- VCS Groups call to host Community Builder posts in Redditch – As with the above in Catshill, funding is also available in Redditch (and the other districts of Worcestershire) to build on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model of community development in our most deprived local areas. Work has already begun by the ABCD Team from the County Council in Woodrow using this approach. The next step is to employ “Community Builders” in Woodrow and other areas of Redditch to take this work further. Redditch Borough Council are providing local Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations an opportunity to apply to host these Community Builder posts in their own organisations to ensure they work with local communities as closely as possible. If you would be interested in applying to host Community Builder posts in Redditch, please see the attached specification and application form. Closing date for applications is Monday 25th October at 5pm.
- Here 2 Help Launches! – Here2Help is a community action scheme, originally dedicated to helping those who needed support during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now evolving the service so it offers advice, support and help to a wide range of services across Worcestershire. As lockdown begins to ease, Here2Help will still help to support people who need to self-isolate and offer support to those who are unable to seek help from family, friends or neighbours. Here2Help has been such a success, it has expanded the range of resources available. One of the services available is a directory of services for Worcestershire. This can be utilised by organisations and the public to access help and support. It also needs organisations to register their services on the directory. For more information and to access the directory please follow this link – https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help
- World Mental Health Day – Sunday 10th October was World Mental Health Day. As part of marking this day organisations have been sharing this video from Nick at Run Talk Run in Redditch, encouraging people to access help if they’re struggling alone with their mental health. https://www.facebook.com/YourWorcestershire/videos/648010809516573/. Nick shares his own story, shows that recovery is possible and speaks out against stigma. There is also the launch of the new mental health campaign “”Now We’re Talking – Acting Together to Prevent Suicide” (#PreventSucideTogether). Please see the attached call for action for further information on the roll out of this campaign.
- Helping lonely and isolated people through Walking Sports – Open morning on 12 November – This project launches on Friday 12 November with an Open Morning from 9:30am to 12 noon for interested organisations and anyone feeling isolated and lonely who would like to find out more. Further details are attached or you can contact Alan Gormley at or 07731 369942
- Do you need volunteers? Or do you have clients that would benefit from volunteering? BARN’s Volunteer Centre can help you to advertise your opportunities and recruit volunteers. We also have Volunteer Managers’ Forums to help support you – let us know if we can help. Volunteering also has benefits for volunteers too – confidence boosting, skills development, wellbeing improvements. If you have clients that might benefit from this we can help them find the right opportunity. All our support is free. Website barn.org.uk/volunteering Email
Training and Events
- Exploring Time Banking in Worcestershire – Worcestershire Public Health Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) team would like to invite you to Exploring Time Banking in Worcestershire on the 4th November 1-3pm. This online event is an opportunity for local organisations and community groups to find out more about the potential of time-banking to support and enable communities to help each other and become stronger places. Time banks use time, not money, as currency and have been found to support personal growth and resilient communities. Timebank members report that they learn new skills, meet new people, enjoy better self-esteem and self-confidence, feel healthier and better connected to their community. This event will provide an opportunity to hear from the experts! Timebanking UK (TBUK), the national charity supporting the development of timebanking, will be presenting and there will be an opportunity to ask questions, network with other people interested in the idea and find out how the ABCD team can support you locally. For more information on the benefits of timebanking please see the TBUK website https://timebanking.org/ . If you are interested in attending the event please reply to this e mail and joining instructions will be sent out nearer the date.
- Loan Shark Training – A loan shark is someone who lends money, they rarely give any paperwork and if repayments are missed they often use violence and intimidation to get their money back. Faced with this problem would you or your staff know what to do? A national, dedicated team is cracking down on loan sharks and they’d like to tell you more. They have set up some training sessions on 26th October and 18th November. For more info and to book on click on the link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/loan-sharks-dont-knock-tickets-175333245457
- Future of Employment Support in Worcestershire Event – this free event is taking place on Thurs 4th Nov at 10am. Hosted by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire LEP it will give participants chance to meet new providers, discuss the challenges and support us to enable relationships and understanding to work better together. Please follow this link for more information – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future-of-employment-support-for-worcestershire-since-the-start-of-the-tickets-184654977007?utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing
- Positive Me Course – Do you or someone you work with want to improve your self-esteem, feel confident in personal situations, and challenge your negative thoughts? If so, this is the perfect course for you! First, discover the links between mental and physical health and learn strategies to manage; depression, anxiety or stress. Then, working with your tutor, you’ll set yourself some realistic and personal learning goals, which the group and you will celebrate once achieved. This course is being delivered at the Pod in Bromsgrove. Follow this link for more information –
- Free Training Opportunity with Act On Energy – Are you a front-line worker who works with vulnerable clients? Has the recent energy crisis worried you or your service users?
The last 18 months has left more households than ever having to choose between heating and eating. Having a better understanding of fuel poverty, and what steps can be taken to tackle it, could help you support those most in need. This free training session will cover: understanding energy; understanding fuel poverty; balancing fuel poverty and climate change; and combatting fuel poverty. To view and book onto planned dates please click on the following link: Fuel Poverty Training with Act On Energy Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. Alternatively, if you would like personalised training for your whole team email or call 0800 988 2881.
- Free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) ‘2 day’ virtual training is available for staff and volunteers working in Worcestershire – MHFA is an internationally recognised training course, designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. In the same way as learning physical first aid, MHFA teaches people how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health and feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support. Please see the attached leaflet which provides more information and dates and times for this virtual 2-day course.
Other Newsletters
- NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (HW CCG) – Herefordshire and Worcestershire Involvement Network Update – please see latest one attached.
- NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (HW CCG) – Communications Update – please see latest one attached.
- DWP Touchbase, Mercia Partnership Newsletter and DWP Weekly update – all attached for information.
- Active Redditch and Active Bromsgrove E-Bulletins – attached for information.
We hope you find some of the information above helpful. Please let us know if you would like any information put into these bulletins by emailing us at . We are currently sending out bulletins fortnightly.
Kind Regards,
Della McCarthy & Helen Broughton
Bromsgrove Partnership / Redditch Partnership
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