Author: marthampcclerk

Volunteers provide an incredible range of support for their communities, and as we find ourselves in a winter lockdown the need for volunteers to support the coronavirus response with services like telephone support and befriending has never been greater.

Checking in with someone who’s vulnerable and shielding is a fantastic way to check that they’re looking after their health and wellbeing as best they can, help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and confirm they have the essentials they need.

Even a few minutes of physical activity can bring mental and physical health benefits. When volunteers are checking in on people in their communities, they should be able to ask about how active someone is as part of their overall health and wellbeing check.

Not everyone is comfortable talking about physical activity, so Active Norfolk is hosting two free training courses to help those working in the voluntary sector feel more confident in talking about it.

Whether you’re a regular volunteer or have stepped in to support the coronavirus response, this free training will help you feel confident in talking about exercise and in supporting residents in their community with their health and wellbeing.

The course covers practical elements such as conversation starters, how to recommend physical activity, and ideas and resources to signpost to amongst others.

The sessions will be held virtually on Thursday 11^th February 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday 10^th March 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

To find out more information and book your place, email Amy.Story@activenorfolk.org or visit https://www.activenorfolk.org/news/2021/01/training-to-help-community-volunteers-talk-about-pa

Briefing Sheet following Council of Governors Meeting – January 2021 This summary has been produced following the latest Council of Governors meeting that was held virtually, in public on 13^th January 2021. All the papers and a recording of the meeting will be available on the Trust website here https://www.jpaget.nhs.uk/about-us/council-of-governors/council-of-governors-meetings/  We do hope that you find the content useful

The latest Scams and News from Norfolk County Council Trading Standards is available here> https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/scams/consumer-alerts

Vaccine Scams

Coronavirus vaccines will only be administered free of charge through the NHS. The NHS will never:

• Ask for bank account, PIN or card details
• Arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
• Ask you to prove your identity

If you believe you or a loved-one, friend or neighbour have been the victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting the Action Fraud website.

Help spread the word – tell loved ones who may be at risk.

12 January 2021

More than 30 people were fined in Norfolk over the weekend for breaching the COVID-19 restrictions. Officers increased patrols this weekend in support of their NHS colleagues to make sure people were adhering to the lockdown rules to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Police issued 31 fixed penalty notices on Saturday and Sunday (9-10 January 2021) while 96 people were given warnings. Fines were predominantly issued in coastal areas of the county to people who were mixing households or those who had travelled some distance to exercise. This included fines given to one couple who travelled from Hertfordshire to visit the seals at Horsey as well as another man who travelled from Colchester to Horsey with his children for the same purpose. Six men were fined in Great Yarmouth after meeting to play a game of football on a recreation ground while a man was fined for having five people in his car, all from different households. T/Assistant Chief Constable Julie Wvendth said: “We did see an increase in enforcement activity this weekend, particularly in our coastal areas. “I would reiterate the points I made last week; we are almost a year into this pandemic and the public are fully aware of what is expected of them and consequently our approach to enforcement must take this into account. “We will always seek voluntary compliance in the first instance through our continued approach of engage, explain and encourage and every case will be assessed on its own merit. However, where this interaction fails and people continue to ignore rules, we will be left with no other option but to use the powers available to us. “The overwhelming majority of people in Norfolk are making great sacrifices to adhere to the regulations so it is only right that those who blatantly ignore them and risk the health of others are dealt with. This includes people who travel into our county for non-essential purposes and in contravention of the guidance to stay at home or stay local.” Dedicated COVID-19 patrols will be taking place across the county every day, targeting town centres, Norwich city centre, coastal areas and beauty spots.

Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

As of 4 January 2021 the Government have stated that you must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules and more information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Leaving home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attend education or childcare – for those eligible

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work

The Parish Council will be closing for the Christmas period from Monday 21 December and will re-open again on Monday 4 January.