Covid-19

Please follow the link below for the latest information if you are shielding during these current times:

2020 05 06 Letter to shielded residents 050520

COMMUNITY NETWORK Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We are sure you will all agree that at this present time we are facing exceptional difficulties in unchartered waters. As a community we are needing to support each other in many ways.
Therefore with this in mind we propose to set up a network of help for everyone.
The elderly of the village and those unwell who are required to self-isolate may need help. This may include shopping, collecting medicines, chatting by phone or email to help prevent social isolation, posting letters, maybe dog walking or some other form of help not specified here.
If you are already looking out for someone or you feel you could be part of a network please do let us know. The more people in the network means the better we can help those that need it. You will not sign yourself up for lots of work, we will not ask you to put yourself in a compromising position and if you felt unhappy with a task, someone else can undertake it.
If you are having to self-isolate please let us know. We can contact you to check all is well and if you need help we will do our best to help where necessary.
With the progress of the virus we know the network will ebb and flow with those willing to help who may become infected and then may need help themselves. Likewise you may come to the end of self-isolation and feel able to help others. E-mailing and phone calls can be undertaken by anyone.
Please contact:
Gwen aking44634@aol.com 01308 482270
Ruth ruth.cullingford@btinternet.com 01308 482562
Jackie cainjackie@btinternet.com 01308 482379


Playing Field

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

By order of the Parish Council, in line with the latest Government instructions to prevent the spread of Covid-19


Coronavirus (COVID-19) news and updates from Dorset Council

With so much talk about coronavirus, it’s hard to know which sources of information you should keep up to date with.

This is a rapidly changing situation, but we will keep you up-to-date with any new advice and guidance when it becomes available. You can also sign up for alerts to get updates from the government on coronavirus. https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=c3db48b2a3&e=854e8ec623

New guidance on social distancing

Everyone should begin to minimise social interaction with other people in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. This is known as social distancing.

This includes:
Avoiding large gatherings and smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
Avoiding non-essential use of public transport and varying your travel times to avoid rush hour
Working from home where possible
Avoiding gatherings with friends and family
Using telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
Everyone should be doing these things, but the government advises that anyone who has an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) should be strict in following these measures.

Read the full guidance on social distancing including the list of increased risk groups.

https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=78b80b1ba4&e=854e8ec623

Updated stay at home guidance

The guidance on what you should do if you have symptoms of coronavirus has been updated. https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=6e7d29933f&e=854e8ec623

If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.

If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

If you have symptoms, or someone in your household does, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to call NHS 111 to tell them you are staying at home. If you feel you can’t cope with your symptoms at home, your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.

The current position on schools

Please keep up to date with the latest advice and guidance at gov.uk/coronavirus, https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=664dda5994&e=854e8ec623 including specific guidance for educational settings.

There is a dedicated helpline number for educational settings for anything not covered by the guidance – please call 0800 046 8687.

Waste collection advice if you have symptoms of coronavirus

Personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household rubbish bin or authorised blue sack.

Recycling, food, glass and garden waste can be disposed of as normal.

How we will keep waste services going during the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation

Co-ordinated community response

Lots of people have been organising themselves in local communities across Dorset. It’s really great to see people rallying around to look out for older neighbours or those with health conditions. We at Dorset Council are working on some guidance to help with this activity which we hope to publish on our website tomorrow (18 March).

We are also working closely with voluntary sector organisations to ensure essential services provided by them can continue. We will provide further information soon about volunteering opportunities and support for charitable organisations who need extra volunteering support. Please keep checking our website. https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=f7410fd00e&e=854e8ec623

Keeping essential council services running

Dorset Council’s role is to keep essential public services running and to continue to support vulnerable people in our community. We are working hard to ensure that services such as waste collection, and adult and children’s social care continue to be provided, despite the challenges of the coronavirus situation.

This may mean that some non-essential council services may be scaled back or even stopped altogether for a period of time. We will share information on any changes to services on our website.

Support for businesses and self-employed workers

We realise that this is a challenging time for many people who are self-employed and for some local businesses. Some businesses are already being badly affected by the coronavirus situation, such as pubs, restaurants, hotels, etc.

At Dorset Council, we are awaiting guidance from government which is expected later this week about how we will be able to provide support during this difficult time.

In addition, the chancellor recently announced as part of the 2020 Budget that business rates will be suspended over the coming year for many retail, leisure and hospitality firms. Companies with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for the tax holiday. This includes shops, cinemas, restaurants and hotels, and is part of a package of “extraordinary” measures to support the UK economy in the face of disruption from the coronavirus outbreak.

Dorset Council is sending out revised business rate bills in line with this.

Support for vulnerable people and households

The government has announced a new £500 million Hardship Fund so local authorities can support economically vulnerable people and households. The government expects most of this funding to be used to provide more council tax relief, either through existing Local Council Tax Support schemes, or through similar measures.

At this stage we haven’t been told how much funding will be available to Dorset Council, but as soon as we are, we will work as quickly as we can to establish how we can use it to help our most vulnerable residents.

Looking after your health and wellbeing

It’s important to know what’s going on, but if you’re finding that the constant stream of news updates and social media is causing you to become worried or stressed, you could limit the amount of time you spend reading or watching things which aren’t making you feel better.

Perhaps decide on a specific time to check in with the news, or stick to the trusted sources of information to find out what you need to know. You can find information and tips on looking after your mental health on Every Mind Matters. https://dorsetcouncil.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c39535cf4f9d1ca66af8d2b44&id=608650de2a&e=854e8ec623

Residents who have questions or concerns about the current virus situation should always seek advice and guidance from trusted sources. Below are number of such sources that you may find helpful:
The latest advice on our website.
Encourage residents to sign up to our Dorset Council e-newsletter, or forward our e-newsletters to them, and please make sure you have signed up too.
Sign up to the latest email alerts from Government about Coronavirus (COVID
The NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) page includes a wide range of health-related information.
Social media – follow these organisations on Twitter for regular updates
Public Health England
The Department of Health and Social Care
Dorset Council