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Tabard North
National Lockdown – Stay at Home
Dear TRA committee member,
As you’ll be aware, we are under a new national lockdown to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant and relieve the immense pressure that the NHS is experiencing in many parts of the country. For Southwark this means the rules are similar to the Tier 4 restrictions that were already in place across London, with a key message to STAY AT HOME. There are, however, some additional restrictions.
Key messages under the National Restrictions:
- Everyone should stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.
- Work from home unless you are unable to do so.
- All schools will be open only for vulnerable children and the children of key workers, offering remote learning to other pupils until at least the end of the February half-term.
- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close; with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through. All food and drink (including alcohol) can continue to be provided by delivery.
- You can only meet up outdoors with one other person from outside your household if it is to exercise. However, support bubbles can continue as before.
- Previously you could leave the house for unlimited exercise – now it should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- Outdoor team sports will no longer be permitted – outdoor sports venues including gyms, tennis courts and golf clubs must close. However, playgrounds can remain open.
- The government is advising the clinically extremely vulnerable to begin shielding again, and letters will be sent to those affected.
Please refer to the government guidance for full details. These restrictions will continue until at least the end of the February half-term, in the week of February 22.
Please help us to share the following messages with your networks:
- We are under a new national lockdown to help tackle the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Please stay at home to protect the NHS and keep your friends, family, and everybody else safe: www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
- During the new lockdown please let the council know if a vulnerable or elderly resident might need help. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/coronavirus-gethelp, phone 0207 525 5000 and choose option 3 or email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk
- If you have coronavirus symptoms, self-isolate and request a free test via the NHS website, to help keep your family and friends safe. You are allowed to leave home for a COVID test: https://bit.ly/381KiPv
A poster explaining the latest restrictions is attached to this email, which you may also find useful to share.
As ever, a huge thanks for everything you do to support our residents and communities through this very challenging period.
Regards Resident Participation
COVID19 (Coronavirus)
For the latest NHS guidance, please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
To read the latest advice and information for Southwark residents, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you have an enquiry about a vulnerable Southwark resident, please email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 5000
Happy New Year
Christmas message to TRA chairs and secretaries from the strategic director of housing
Dear Chair or Secretary,
After a difficult and tiring year I want to thank you for everything you have done for the residents you represent. We are clearly not out of the woods yet and there are some tough times ahead before we get through this.
However, the extraordinary voluntary effort to care for our vulnerable and isolated residents has shown the best side of our communities in council housing. TRAs have played a leading role in this response and thanks to you many people will be able to enjoy a better Christmas than might otherwise have been possible.
I wish you a very merry Christmas and I hope you have a restful, happy and healthy New Year.
Michael
Michael Scorer
Strategic director of housing and modernisation
Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas from the Leader of Southwark Council
Dear resident,
I want to wish all of Southwark’s TRA officers a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas.
This has been the most difficult of years but it has also been a year that has shown just how important our TRAs in Southwark are. The support you have provided to the people on your estates has been inspiring to see. So I want to say thank you to you for everything you do for our community.
With COVID rates rapidly rising again, I hope you will have a merry but safe Christmas this year, staying home as much as you can to stop the spread of the virus and save lives. With vaccines now being rolled out in Southwark the end is in sight but we still have some months to go during which we will all need to keep each other safe.
My thanks again to you and I wish a happy 2021 to you, your family and everyone on your estate.
Tier 4 Update
Sent on behalf of the Community Support Alliance
Dear TRA,
I hope you are well.
As you are aware all of London, the South East and East England have now entered Tier 4 and shielding has been re-introduced for these areas, we have sent out advice letters to all on the Shielded Patient List via email or first class post. We are also making proactive calls to residents.
Currently we seeing low levels of demand, but are monitoring this closely and are ready to respond should this change. Our phone line will remain open daily through the festive period, on bank holidays this will be open 24 hours a day. Our out of hours team have been trained to deal with contact from Clinically Extremely Vulnerable residents.
We wanted to reach out and ask if you are aware of residents in your area who are vulnerable and could be isolated, if you could contact them safely to check in. We are open for referrals if they require food or access to other services.
Ways to contact:
- Complete anonline referral form
- Emailcovidsupport@southwark.gov.uk
- Phone0207 525 5000 and choose option 3
We appreciate this is difficult for many people over the Christmas period, we want to say thank you for your work in helping vulnerable residents in our community.
Yours Sincerely,
Community Support Alliance
Southwark Council
Isabelle Pearce
Project Manager | Southwark Community Support Alliance | London Borough of Southwark | 0207 5254861 | 07936 332 092 | isabelle.pearce@southwark.gov.uk | Visiting address: Southwark Council, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH.
COVID19 (Coronavirus)
For the latest NHS guidance, please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
To read the latest advice and information for Southwark residents, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you have an enquiry about a vulnerable Southwark resident, please email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk, complete a referral form or call 020 7525 5000
COVID-19 and more: latest updates from Southwark Council
| COVID-19 national restrictions still apply until 2 December Remember to stick to the current national restrictions, to help reduce the spread of the virus, protect your family, friends and neighbours, and to save lives. Self-isolate and get tested if you have symptoms If you have coronavirus symptoms you must self-isolate and get a free test. There are two testing sites locally in Southwark, with spare capacity, and it’s easy to book a free test.If you’ve been told by the NHS to self-isolate, either because you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be able to get some financial help while self-isolating. Volunteer to help share crucial information about COVID-19 We’re working with Community Southwark to find volunteers to help keep people up-to-date with COVID-19 advice. We’re calling them Community Health Ambassadors. Volunteers will receive specialist training and play an important role in keeping our borough safe.If you’re interested in volunteering please complete an expression of interest form. Try our elibrary during the new national restrictions During the national restrictions our libraries are closed. However, you can still borrow ebooks and stream films, free of charge via our elibrary service and our home library service is still operating. Looking for things to do during the tighter restrictions? Check out our listings of virtual events, performances and workshops to keep you entertained during the tighter restrictions. Get help if you’re struggling with low mood, stress or anxiety Feeling low, stressed and anxious are common feelings. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, you might be finding things harder than usual. Get advice and support to improve your mental health. Support for parents during the tighter restrictions If you’re a parent or carer, get support and advice to help you cope with the new national restrictions, including managing conflict, emotions and behaviour at home, eating healthily and talking to children about COVID-19. Tips on staying active if you’re feeling low on energy Have you had COVID-19 and are feeling low on energy? Moving more is an important part of your recovery and can help put a spring in your step and lift your mood. Get tips on staying active and free support in the borough for you and your family. Get your free flu jab If you’re eligible, make sure you get your free flu vaccination to protect yourself and those around you from the flu virus. It’s more important than ever this year. Ask your pharmacist or GP today. Get free career and employment support Southwark Works is a free employment support service for anyone living in the borough. It’s for residents of all ages, experiences and backgrounds and offers one-to-one support to help find a new job or a better job. Voting safely at next year’s elections The Greater London Authority elections are due to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021 and we are already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote. Give your views on our climate strategy We want to know what you think of our suggested approach to reducing carbon and protecting biodiversity in Southwark. Thinking of becoming a foster carer? Find out what is needed to become a foster carer by registering for one of our online fostering information sessions on Tuesday 1 December at 6.30pm or Monday 7 December at 12 noon by emailing fostering@southwark.gov.uk Register to attend your local housing forum meeting If you live in a council home, including council-owned temporary accommodation, you can register to attend your next virtual local housing meeting. The next meetings are in December and you can take part in discussions with council officers and councillors including how the council can better spend funding on improving homes and estates or how the council allocates homes. Job support for 16–25-year-olds We will shortly be launching a new campaign which will help link young people with jobs, training and other opportunities. Sign up now to get jobs, training, volunteering and work experience opportunities and more by email |
Update on housing services during the tighter restrictions
 Dear resident, Following the recent tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in England here are some key updates about our housing and other services and a reminder of upcoming opportunities to get involved. Remember, if you have coronavirus symptoms you must self-isolate and get a free test. There are two testing sites locally in Southwark and it’s easy to book a free test.Thank to everyone who is looking out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours during these difficult times. If you know a vulnerable resident who needs help, please tell us so we can support them. We’re currently only doing essential repairs To reduce the risk to residents and staff of home visits, we will only be carrying out essential repairs inside people’s homes, focusing on ensuring homes are warm, dry and safe, and prioritising our vulnerable residents. Resident services We will continue to contact and support vulnerable residents in all tenures of council accommodation including our supported hostels and residents in temporary accommodation, sheltered and Extra Care housing. We will carry out estate inspections and fire risk assessments, and we will continue to carry out work on voids to support choice based lettings.Meetings with residents and routine home visits will be carried out virtually where possible. Homelessness services Our Housing Solutions service continues to provide advice and support to people who need urgent help because they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Please continue to pay your rent Please continue to pay your rent if you can because it helps to fund vital council services at this difficult time. If you are struggling with rent payments there is help available. We’re still building new homes Construction is permitted to continue under the new restrictions so we will be continuing work as planned on delivering new council homes, while our contractors and construction workers are working in Covid-secure ways. Read more about the council’s new homes programme. Register your interest in a growing plot Early in the new year we will launch a new Allotment Expansion Guarantee to create hundreds of new growing plots on council land. The council’s community gardening coordinators will work with residents to design, build and run their own community allotments. Sign up to receive an alert. Other changes to council services Southwark’s parks will remain open All sports and leisure facilities, including football, tennis and basketball courts, grass and astro-turf pitches, outdoor gyms, cricket nets and fishing areas will be closed. Schools remain open and children should attend as normal. Leisure centres will close. Libraries will close (but digital services and the home library will continue) Playgrounds will stay open but families should maintain social distance and wash hands/use hand sanitiser before and after use. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can only proceed in exceptional circumstances. Funerals can still be held, with up to 30 people. Join in your next local housing forum The next round of housing forum meetings is taking place in December. Anyone who lives in a council home, including council-owned temporary accommodation can now book their space. When are the meetings and what will be discussed?The next meetings will take place between 3 and 17 December and topics will include:Feedback on previous meetingHousing service updates for your area.Election of a resident to chair the meetingsElection of representatives to the new Tenants and Homeowners ForumDue to the current pandemic these meetings will be held virtually on Zoom. You can reserve your place on Zoom.>> Register to attend now. Which forum meeting you should attend There are five different housing forums, each covering a different part of the borough. You can check which housing forum you should attend on our website.If you would like more information on these meetings, nominations or the elections (see below) please contact resident.participation@southwark.gov.uk Nominate yourself to become your local housing forum chair By having a resident chair this meeting we will ensure that the meetings cover relevant topics and are shaped by residents for residents. You would need to commit to attend four meetings a year. Experience in chairing meetings is not necessary as training and support will be given.>> Complete a self-nomination by 18 November Nominate yourself to represent your housing forum in the tenants’ or homeowners’ forum. Nominate yourself to represent your housing forum in the tenants’ or homeowners’ forum. You can now also nominate yourself to represent your local forum at the new tenants’ or homeowners’ forum. This might be for you, if you are able to commit to attend about nine evening meetings a year. You don’t need to have previous experience as we will offer free training and support to help you fulfil this role. >> Complete a self-nomination by 18 November |
Urgent information about new national restrictions
 Dear residentFrom today, England is moving into a new period of national restrictions, until Wednesday 2 December. This means that once again, we should all stay at home as much as possible and work from home if we can. While this is hard for everyone, it is really important that we all stick to the rules, so together we can reduce the number of people who are catching the virus, protect our families, friends and neighbours, and save lives. The laws that the Government is introducing for this period mean you should only leave your home for specific purposes. These include to: Attend school, education or childcare Exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place Attend medical appointments or for any medical concerns or emergencies, including a booked Covid-19 test, or avoid harm or injury (such as domestic abuse) Go to work if you cannot work from home Shop for basic necessities like food and medicine Visit members of your support bubble, care for vulnerable people, or volunteer Many businesses, such as pubs, non-essential shops, cinemas, leisure centres, museums and hair and beauty salons, will be closed. Read the full details about the restrictions. I know how worried many of you will be about these restrictions. Some will be worried about the financial impact on your families, while others will fear loneliness and isolation. I can’t pretend it will be easy, but I can promise you that we will do everything we can to support you through this challenging time. Thank you and stay safe. Kieron Self-isolate and get tested if you have symptoms If you have coronavirus symptoms you must self-isolate and get a free test. There are two testing sites locally in Southwark and it’s easy to book a free test. Try our elibrary during the new national restrictions During the national restrictions our libraries will close. However, you can still borrow ebooks and stream films, free of charge via our elibrary service and our home library service will keep operating. Impact of tighter restrictions on council services Government guidance on specific aspects of the new restrictions that relate to council services is still emerging. However, we can currently confirm the following: Southwark’s parks will remain open All sports and leisure facilities, including football, tennis and basketball courts, grass and astro-turf pitches, outdoor gyms, cricket nets and fishing areas will be closed. Schools remain open and children should attend as normal. Leisure centres will close. Libraries will close (but digital services and the home library will continue) Playgrounds will stay open but families should maintain social distance and wash hands/use hand sanitiser before and after use. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can only proceed in exceptional circumstances. Funerals can still be held, with up to 30 people. Watch the Unicorn Theatre’s online theatrical reading of one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved stories, The Twits. This unabridged reading, filmed in the theatre, is gleeful, gunge-filled digital storytelling aimed at children aged 6 to 12. Support for parents during the tighter restrictions If a parent or carer get support and advice to help you cope with the new national restrictions, including managing conflict, emotions and behaviour at home, eating healthily and talking to children about COVID-19. Remembrance Sunday service in Southwark Cathedral The Mayor of Southwark and Southwark Council will be marking the day with a virtual service and wreath laying in Southwark Cathedral, which was pre-recorded before the new restrictions came into force. This will be available on the council’s YouTube channel on Sunday 8 November. Get your free flu jab If you’re eligible, make sure you get your free flu vaccination to protect yourself and those around you from the flu virus. It’s more important than ever this year. Ask your pharmacist or GP today. Voting safely at next year’s elections The Greater London Authority elections are due to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021 and we are already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote. If you smoke you’re more at risk from COVID-19 If you’re a smoker and become infected with COVID-19 you’re more likely to become seriously ill than a non-smoker. Get help to quit smoking now Job support for 16–25-year-olds We will shortly be launching a new campaign which will help link young people with jobs, training and educational opportunities. Sign up now to get jobs, training and education opportunities by email. |
FixMyBlock for Tower Block tenants.
