Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year’s theme of kindness is particularly pertinent during this difficult time. I’m incredibly proud of our borough and the countless stories I’ve heard of residents looking out for each other. It’s also important to remember to be kind to ourselves. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, scared or anxious, there is support available.
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.
I know the weather’s getting warmer and being outside in our parks over the upcoming bank holiday is how many of us want to spend our free time, but please remember the guidance – let’s keep up the great work we’ve been doing to keep our community safe.
For the latest updates, visit the dedicated webpage camden.gov.uk/coronavirus and the rolling news feed camden.gov.uk/coronavirusnews
On this note we’ve also received hundreds of ideas from Camden residents about how to make it safer and easier to walk, shop and cycle around our borough. A huge thank you to Councillor Adam Harrison for leading this important work, which will help us create safer and greener streets.
You can also check Twitter @CamdenCouncil or speak to someone at the Council directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
Finally, to our Muslim community, I want to say Eid Mubarak and send all our best wishes to those celebrating, and to thank you for continuing to make sacrifices to follow the advice on social distancing and keep each other safe.
SIGN UP to the Council’s coronavirus e-newsletter for service updates, news and support, at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates
Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council
Some formal council meetings have now restarted and are being held remotely. Today’s meeting (21 May), Licensing Panel E, starts at 10am. The next COVID-19 oversight cross-party panel will be held on Monday 8 June at 7pm. You can watch meetings live or catch up at camden.gov.uk/councilmeetings
For a list of upcoming meetings, visit camden.gov.uk/democracy Here you can also find details about how to contact your local councillor, including by contacting Member Support on membersupport@camden.gov.uk or 020 7974 2792.
Keep safe when outdoors this bank holiday weekend If you’re spending time outdoors over the long weekend, make sure you continue to follow safe social distancing. You can now meet with one person who is not in your household, in a maximum group of two, while always staying 2 metres apart. Follow the guidance to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Enjoy our parks safely Team sports Always keep should only be played 2m apart from with members anyone outside of your household of your own household
Please don’t BBQ in our parks
Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks remain closed
Always wash your hands when you are back indoors
2m
Please avoid areas when busy
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr this weekend
Eid Mubarak! While this year’s Ramadan has fallen during a challenging time, its focus on community and sacrifice has been as strong as ever in Camden – from people staying home to save lives, to delivering food parcels to families in need, or breaking fast with loved ones online rather than in person. While Eid al-Fitr is normally celebrated with others, this year it’s vital that everyone continues to follow public health guidance closely – stay at home as much as possible, don’t visit others in their homes, and keep finding ways to spend time with each other virtually. Don’t forget to share how you’ll be celebrating on Twitter using #EidAtHome and tagging @CamdenCouncil
Service updates Making Camden’s streets safer
Width restrictors Pop up cycle lanes
Wider pavements
Camden Council is introducing more measures to make Camden’s streets safer in response to COVID-19. Following on from soon to be widened pavements on Kilburn High Road and Camden High Street, the next locations to undergo changes are: • Constantine Road / Savernake Road • Sandall Road • Wilmot Place • Clarence Way and Hartland Road In these locations through traffic will be restricted by introducing a mixture of bollards and signage, with access to all properties on both sides of the restrictions being maintained. This will make it easier and safer for everyone to walk and cycle locally, shop on their local high street, and reach local green spaces, schools and NHS sites, all while maintaining social distancing. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/making-travel-safer-in-camden and nominate your own suggestions for other locations at camdensafetravel.commonplace.is or email safetravel@camden.gov.uk
Contact Camden continues to support residents “Our role at Contact Camden is to be the first point of contact for residents looking for information about council services. We have seen a significant increase in the number of calls to our housing line, particularly in regard to housing benefit advice – some days as many as 700 calls. “During this crisis we’ve made a number of changes – we’re all now working from home, taking calls from the public and supporting them where we can. We’ve also made some operational changes – for example we’re offering telephone appointments for housing benefit claimants who may have lost their job during this period, as we’re not able to accommodate face-to-face appointments.
“This is a difficult time for everybody in Camden and we’re doing everything we can to make sure our residents have the correct information needed to help them through this crisis.” Sharon, senior customer service officer For all general coronavirus enquiries visit the FAQs page camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-faqs or call the dedicated support line on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). 87,983 calls responded to by Contact Camden since lockdown began on 23 March – 10,774 directly linked to the coronavirus support line.
£ Support available to businesses during the coronavirus crisis
e-newsletter Keep up to date via Camden’s business e-newsletter
Business grants Check if you are eligible for a business grant
Loans Find out about the Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Furlough scheme Explore support for wages under the furlough scheme
Business rates Call the Council to get help with paying your business rates
Frontline presence The Council's on-street teams are giving support and advice
Job Hub Employment issues and support via the Camden Job Hub
More information camden.gov.uk/ business-support 020 7974 4444
Community support Over 170 rough sleepers accommodated in response to pandemic As part of the Council’s emergency response, over 170 rough sleepers have been helped off the streets and into accommodation where it is possible to self-isolate. Together with charities and voluntary groups in the borough, those being supported are being offered assistance such as laundry and frequent welfare checks. The Council’s street-based services are continuing to see new people arriving on the streets of Camden and are working every day to support these people as quickly as possible. If you’re worried about a rough sleeper, you can use the Camden Safer Streets app or phone 020 7846 3535 to let the Council know, who will then send officers to help. Find out more at camdenrts.co.uk
Young people take centre stage Camden’s young people will have a crucial role in shaping society and their communities as the country faces the long-term effects of the coronavirus crisis – and the Council is giving young people spaces and opportunities to have their say. Camden youth service, Camden Youth Council and peer mentors have been hosting virtual ‘Shout Outs’ to hear young people’s concerns and ideas – check out the Camden Rise website below to find out how you can get involved. Camden Youth MPs Jessie Wernick and Athian Akec also took part in a Youth Voices Roundtable on Friday (15 May), discussing issues including how coronavirus has affected different people in Camden’s communities disproportionately, as well as young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Jessie said: “These discussions are so important, as the current situation has emphasised so many of the pre-existing problems and inequalities faced by young people and society in general, as well as creating new anxieties and fears among us.” Young people can find more support and activities at camdenrise.co.uk
Holly Lodge Community Centre delivering essential food to residents in need Holly Lodge Community Centre, in partnership with Holly Lodge Residents Association and Highgate Newtown Community Centre, is now functioning as a food hub. Daily parcels of essential and healthy foods are hand-prepared and couriered to the centre, then delivered to the doors of vulnerable people and families by estate volunteers. So far, over 130 bags of food have been delivered to local residents, including 80 bags to elderly or self-isolating residents. Volunteers also collect prescriptions and support residents in need. All volunteers are provided with gloves, masks and hand sanitiser for their safety. The centre has also repurposed a food donation bin, located outside the Makepeace Avenue entrance, where you can leave donations of non-perishable foods. To make a financial donation, go to bit.ly/hollylodge-corona For more information, email hollylodge.manager@ gmail.com or call Mike Towers on 020 8342 9524.
Hampstead and Kilburn Covid Community Relief buddy system Hampstead and Kilburn Covid Community Relief is a community-led volunteer group operating a buddy system, matching volunteers with people who need assistance. This includes delivering items like groceries and toiletries, collecting prescription medication, and providing emotional support to tackle the impacts on mental health resulting from imposed isolation. The group was set up by a small team of local residents in March and now has over 300 volunteers. If you or anyone you know is struggling and in need of support, including food parcels, please get in touch by emailing covidcommunityrelief@ gmail.com or calling 07384 309 912.
Further support and information IT’S
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness. The Council has been sharing your stories, as well as ways to care for your mental health, like:
who may refer you to further support. Contact Camden iCope at icope.nhs.uk to access short-term virtual support, and if you’re aged between 11 and 18, get free online support through Kooth at kooth.com If you or someone you care for is at risk of taking their own life or harming themselves, you can get 24-hour support via the Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust crisis line on 020 3317 6333. If it’s an emergency, call 999. Visit candi.nhs.uk and camden.gov. uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing for more information on support.
• Staying connected • Avoiding information overload • Having breaks from social media and devices • Keeping active • Making time for positive activities. If you need support with your mental health you can speak to your GP
University College London is looking for people to take part in a study to understand the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures on mental health and loneliness in the UK. To find out more and take part, visit redcap.idhs.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/?s=48Y3T88CYK
Community kindness at Belsize Grove
Have your say on COVID-19 information and health and care support
Camden Council’s housing team is working closely with residents to make sure they’re okay, and they’ve been hearing just how strong communities across Camden are. Annie from Belsize Grove shares some of the ways she and other residents in her block are looking out for each other: “We’re a close-knit community here and we’re keeping an eye on our most frail residents all the time. Residents Lisa and Kate, whose catering business Taste of Kings is usually found at Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market, have been providing great food for residents from their gazebo on the lawn here during lockdown. There’s no charge and the food is delicious and healthy. Some of our other kind neighbours are cooking fresh food at home and taking it to the doors of vulnerable self-isolators. “Just for fun, my neighbour Nick – who is self-shielding – and I shared a Skype dinner at the weekend. I cooked and ran courses down to his door and we chatted on Skype as we ate. It worked surprisingly well, and he didn’t seem to come to any harm from my cooking!” Keep sharing your stories of kindness and thank yous by email at camdentalking@camden.gov.uk or tweet @CamdenCouncil #WeMakeCamden
Updated Government guidance 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 on the situation in the UK, visit gov.uk/coronavirus For the latest NHS advice, visit nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
Healthwatch Camden wants to hear about your experiences of accessing information about COVID-19 and support received from health and care services since the beginning of the outbreak. This will help make sure health support is reaching all residents across Camden’s communities. This is particularly important as there is emerging evidence of COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on people from black, Asian or other minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Findings from this survey will help the Council as part of its work to reduce the impact – there will be more opportunities to get involved soon. Complete Healthwatch Camden’s survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/healthwatch camdencovid-19 or call 020 7383 2402 to complete over the phone with a staff member.
Loss or change in taste or smell now a symptom of COVID-19 The loss of or a change in your normal sense of smell or taste – called anosmia – has been added to the list of coronavirus symptoms, alongside a new continuous cough and high temperature. If you develop any of these symptoms you must self-isolate immediately for 7 days and all members of your household without symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days, unless you receive a negative test result. CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS