Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council The situation with coronavirus is changing daily and the Council is committed to keeping residents updated regularly with essential information. You’ll find weekly updates here in the Camden New Journal, including changes to council services and information about the support available in the community through the Council and its partners. For the latest updates, visit the dedicated webpage camden.gov.uk/coronavirus and the rolling news feed camden.gov.uk/coronavirusnews You can also check Twitter @CamdenCouncil or speak to someone at the Council directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). SIGN UP to the Council’s coronavirus e-newsletter for service updates, news and support, at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates
This week the Council is working with our staff, businesses, volunteer groups and schools to make sure we put in place the new advice from the Government. And we’re doing all we can to give people the right advice about how to keep themselves safe. It’s important to note that the majority of social distancing measures remain in place. Where we are able to stay at home we should continue to do so – and if we do go out we should continue to keep 2 metres apart from anyone we don’t live with. To make it easier for people to be out and about safely, we are widening pavements in parts of Camden, as well as looking at measures such as pop-up cycle lanes and restricting traffic in residential areas. Staying well means more than just not catching coronavirus – it also means looking after our mental and physical health. Our parks and open spaces are really important in achieving this. If a park is busy when you visit, please think about going back at another time. With Mental Health Awareness Week coming up next week it’s important to acknowledge when things are difficult and think about how we can listen and be kind to ourselves and each other. I know as we continue to meet these challenges we will all carry on being the thoughtful, caring and generous community that we are. Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council
Camden Council’s COVID-19 oversight cross-party panel begins work The newly formed panel met virtually for the first time on Monday, and will meet approximately every three weeks to scrutinise the Council’s response to COVID-19.
A number of other formal Council meetings have also restarted remotely. Anyone can watch these live or view the recordings afterwards at camden.gov.uk/councilmeetings
The panel is chaired by Councillor Awale Olad (Lab), and is comprised of Councillors Douglas Beattie (Lab), Siân Berry (Green), Oliver Cooper (Con), Oliver Lewis (Lab), Rishi Madlani (Lab), Luisa Porritt (Lib Dem), Nazma Rahman (Lab), Lorna Russell (Lab), Gio Spinella (Con), and Anna Wright (Lab).
For a list of upcoming meetings, including agendas, and to find out how to get in touch with your local councillors – who remain available for any concerns or questions – go to camden.gov.uk/ democracy. You can also contact Member Support at membersupport@camden.gov.uk or on 020 7974 2794.
The Government has updated its guidance around coronavirus While some of the advice has changed, please continue to protect yourselves and others from the virus as much as possible. Here are some ways you can do this.
Stay at home as much as possible
Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres)
Work from home if you can
Wash your hands regularly
Limit contact with other people
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
For the latest advice, visit nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19. For the latest on the situation in the UK, visit gov.uk/coronavirus
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
Updated Government guidance What has changed?
Outdoors, including parks • You can now leave your home to spend time, and to exercise, in open public spaces more than once a day, with no time limit – as long as you keep a safe 2 metre distance from others. • You can spend time outside with members of your household or with just one person from a different household, but in this case you must stay 2 metres apart. • Continue to avoid open spaces when they are busy and you are not able to maintain a safe social distance. Be particularly careful on pavements and entrances to parks, where there are likely to be more people. • Pools, playgrounds, outdoor gyms, skateparks, fitness studios, gyms and indoor leisure centres remain closed. • Please remember to wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors.
It remains the Council’s responsibility to manage numbers in parks, so it may need to act if these places become overcrowded. Frontline presence teams continue to be out across Camden to help keep everyone safe. This includes making sure people are following the guidance in parks and open spaces. For more information, go to camden.gov.uk/parks
Travel
• Avoid using public transport if possible. If you need to travel, consider alternative methods such as walking or cycling. • Remember you still cannot travel to visit friends or family in their homes. • Wear face coverings if you need to travel by public transport or taxi. • If you have to use public transport, try to avoid rush hour.
Shops
• Supermarkets and food shops remain open with social distancing guidelines in place. • Garden centres can now open but only with appropriate social distancing guidelines in place. • If you visit a shop, please a wear face covering.
Work • Work from home if you can. • If your work cannot be done at home and your workplace is open, please avoid public transport as much as possible. • Local businesses should consider their employees’ routes to work to ensure they are able to travel safely. • If you have concerns about returning to work, speak to your manager. You can also contact your union.
Schools • There is no immediate change to guidance around schools, with 1 June the earliest primary schools may open – however this is still under review from the Government. • If you need support during this time, contact the Council or visit camden.gov.uk/schoolschildren-and-families
Council and community support New youth service helpline for Camden teenagers
Camden Council has launched a new helpline for young people aged 13 to 19 to get advice and support from Camden youth services. The helpline – 020 7974 6200 – is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 5pm, with council staff offering advice on a wide range of youth services, including: • Careers and Connexions • Advice and support from youth workers • Youth Offending Service • Drugs or alcohol (FWD Substance Misuse Service).
Young people invited to join next virtual Shout Out on 20 May
Highgate Newtown Community Centre supports residents Highgate Newtown Community Centre is helping the local community with ‘Meals on Wheels’ hot meal deliveries, food parcels, shopping for basics and picking up prescriptions for those who are unable to get out. The meals are cooked at Brookfield School and delivered Monday to Friday to postcodes beginning with N6 6, NW5 1 and N19 5. Food parcels are for people with financial difficulties finding it hard to get help elsewhere. They are also calling people in isolation to check in and have a chat. You can call 07483 145587 or 07748 091604 to request services for yourself or refer family and neighbours. You can also make a financial donation at highgatenewtown.org.uk
Staying connected through music The COVID-19 lockdown has made socialising difficult for everyone, including older people living in Camden Council’s 23 sheltered housing schemes.
Young people aged 11 to 18 are invited to join an online discussion of their hopes for the ‘recovery’ phase of the pandemic and their plans for when the lockdown is eventually lifted. To take part in Camden Youth Council’s next virtual Shout Out on Wednesday 20 May, email rema.patel@camden.gov.uk
Before the crisis, SeeThrough Theatre regularly performed at Camden schemes, working with residents to promote better wellbeing through the performing arts. Now they’ve adapted their projects to continue to bring older people together – holding singing and drama workshops in the gardens of Camden’s sheltered housing schemes, with residents joining in singalongs from their balconies and doorsteps. They’ve had fantastic feedback. Resident Joyce said: “it raises the spirits – it lifts your heart.” “Our residents normally socialise with each other in their blocks,” Mary Bastow, sheltered housing manager, said. “But because most are in their 80s, they’re not leaving their flats. A weekly visit from SeeThrough Theatre gives residents something to look forward to during lockdown and the opportunity to have some fun.” Find out more about SeeThrough Theatre at seethroughtheatre.com
Further information Thank you, Camden
Who has brightened your day this week? Whether it’s someone dropping off essentials or a friend calling to check you’re ok, tell us who you’d like to thank at camdentalking@camden.gov.uk – or via Twitter @CamdenCouncil #WeMakeCamden “I’ve been self-isolating alone for 9 weeks. So has my mum. My amazing neighbour, Antonia, has been an absolute angel and came to the rescue when my mum’s puppy became sick. Thanks to her he made a full recovery and is full of beans again! You are a superstar Antonia. We are ALL so grateful to you!” Anon
“Teacher Lindsay Vaughan @GospelOakSchool has posted some fabulous videos of oracy [speaking and listening] games, which have kept my two children and our whole family busy, learning and laughing during these mind-blowing times. Her commitment, positivity and sense of fun has helped keep the children mentally healthy too.” Willow
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, 18 to 24 May, is kindness and celebrating the effect it can have on mental wellbeing, especially at this time. There have been countless examples of kindness in Camden shared through email and social media like the ones above. To get involved in next week’s #KindnessMatters campaign you can: • Share your stories and pictures of kindness on Twitter using #KindnessMatters #WeMakeCamden and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek • Access resources for your community to join in with acts of kindness at mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/resources For information on looking after your mental health and how to access support in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing
Next week is
Kilburn High Road changes to help pedestrians’ social distance safely
Immunisation helps protect you and your family
Camden Council is making changes to the pavement on the east side of Kilburn High Road to make it easier for pedestrians to keep 2 metres apart. The pandemic has created new road safety challenges in Camden and the Council wants to make it easier and safer for everyone to walk and cycle locally, shop on their local high street, and reach their local green spaces, schools and NHS sites, all while maintaining social distancing. The Council is also investigating a range of measures at other locations to make it easier and safer for people to make essential local journeys. For more information, visit camden.gov.uk/making-travel-safer-in-camden or email safetravel@camden.gov.uk
During a pandemic, it’s more important than ever to keep up with infant, child and adult immunisations to prevent outbreaks of other diseases. Make an appointment with your GP practice, and make sure you and your children are protected. Vaccination appointments count as an important reason to leave your home.
Bounce back loans open to Camden businesses Small to medium-sized businesses in Camden can now apply for loans of between £2,000 £50,000, as part of the Government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme. • All loans are interest-free, with no fees to pay for the first 12 months. • The Government guarantees 100% of the loan, with lenders not allowed to take personal guarantees or recovery action over personal assets.
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
• Eligible businesses can also arrange to transfer a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan to the Bounce Back Scheme up until 4 November 2020. For more information and to apply, visit gov.uk/ guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounceback-loan To view all the support available to businesses, visit camden.gov.uk/business-support
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS