The Plymouth Chronicle Derriford & North August 2020

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Derriford & North

August 2020

A new app has been launched featuring self-guided history trails around the city See page 13

COVID UPDATE

St Luke’s Hospice are appealing for supporters to ‘go the extra mile’ to raise funds for its vital work See page 15

See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Council Pages 2 to 6

ALSO INSIDE: • Dial the Experts • Cross Rhythms • Community Job Experience Shop • Useful numbers

Plymouth’s Clip ‘n Climb is back!

Plymouth’s popular Clip ‘n Climb centre in Derriford is back in business after being closed for four months. The attraction has followed Government guidelines to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for customers of all ages

• See story on page 22

We are open for all your eyecare needs with new diagnostic equipment providing the widest field of view of the back of the eye for top quality eyecare Appointment-only basis for eye examinations and repairs for patient and staff safety HIGHER ST BUDEAUX

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2 August 2020

2 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

Keeping Plymouth safe must be a team effort Plymouth has faced some huge challenges from COVID-19 in recent months - and we have risen to them.

Everyone has come together to help keep Plymouth safe and as a result we thankfully have a relatively low number of cases in Plymouth.

As events in other cities such as Leicester have shown, the risks of COVID-19 are still very much with us and we cannot afford to lower our guard.

We need to work together to protect each other and support our local businesses, many of

whom have really suffered during the lockdown.

As the lockdown measures continue to be eased it has been great to see so many businesses reopening safely.

We need to help ensure they can stay open by following the simple steps we are now used to – safe distancing, washing hands, wearing face coverings and self-isolating and getting tested if we have any symptoms.

The Government has now confirmed that we need to wear a face covering when shopping to help protect each other.

This is a minor inconvenience for supporting the NHS and protecting livelihoods.

The City Council maintained many services throughout the COVID-19 lockdown and we have now reopened many of those that we had to close in line with Government instructions.

We are working to bring the remainder back when it is safe to do so and appreciate everyone bearing with us while we work on this.

Please continue to stay safe. This is a team effort and if we all work together we will continue to save lives and protect the NHS.

We all have a role in protecting city from a COVID-19 outbreak A plan is now in place to reduce cases of coronavirus in Plymouth and protect residents in the event of a local outbreak – and we all have a role to play.

The Local Outbreak Management Plan has been agreed as the city takes responsibility for providing a fast response to any future outbreaks of the virus to prevent it spreading.

It sets out how partner organisations including the City Council, NHS, Public Health England and the police will work together to protect residents and support schools, care homes and businesses.

The aim is to work closely with the NHS Test and Trace service and ensure that local knowledge, networks and contacts are used to protect residents and ensure the needs of all members of the community are considered.

It is essential that anyone who has symptoms gets tested.

The plans are being overseen by the Plymouth COVID-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board, which is chaired by the leader of the Council and includes the Director of Public Health and senior leaders from the NHS, Police, Clinical Commissioning

“We need the support of all residents in ensuring that NHS Test and Trace is as effective as it can be and for communities, businesses and organisations to take actions when needed to stop the virus spreading.”

Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health

Group, Council and the business community.

The board held its first meeting in July.

Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health

for Plymouth, said: “This plan is about the city working together to protect its residents, bringing all the knowledge and expertise that exists here together.

“We recognise that easing the measures that have been in place in recent months to stop the spread of COVID-19 is important for restarting the economy and relieving the burdens that people have had to shoulder but we need to do this very carefully.

“The risks of a second wave are significant and have the potential to cause significant ill health and loss of life.

“We will take a cautious, system-wide approach and will be carefully monitoring the data and intelligence so we can address with issues quickly.

“We need the support of all residents in ensuring that NHS Test and Trace is as effective as it can be and for communities, businesses and organisations to take actions when needed to stop the virus spreading.

“We will be working closely with organisations and communities across the city to help ensure everyone is working together to reduce the risk of an outbreak.”

Councillor Tudor Evans Leader of Plymouth City Council

@PlymChronicle

Let’s work together to keep safe

August 2020

3

Big change means no change in city car parks Parking in Council-run car parks and on-street bays is being made cash-free as part of a package of measures to help people stay safe from COVID-19.

Photo: visitplymouth.com

Pubs and restaurants are open again but we all need to do our bit to keep it that way, the City Council says.

Going out for a drink or a meal is different and to stay safe and prevent an outbreak we need to follow some new rules.

Council Leader Tudor Evans says it is vital that people who want to have a drink and enjoy themselves do so responsibly.

He said: “Businesses have been working incredibly hard to make sure you are safe when you are out and we’ve been working with them to help them prepare for opening.

“There are measures in place in all premises to ensure the virus does not spread and we all need to follow them.

“Coronavirus is still with us, it is still deadly. Plymouth cannot afford to become another Leicester, our businesses can’t afford it and they need our support to stay open.

“We are working closely with the police to avoid a repeat of the public disorder and littering issues we had on the Barbican before the pubs reopened.

“Please, for the sake of the rest of us keep safe, keep your distance.”

Council to buy local to support city businesses The City Council has launched a plan to ensure Plymouth benefits as much as possible whenever it spends money.

The Spend-4-Plymouth initiative, which is part of the Council’s Resurgam plan to support the city’s economy following COVID-19, aims to make sure all spending has concrete benefits to the city’s residents and environment.

It wants to buy Plymouth goods, works and services, use Plymouth businesses and pump some life blood into the supply chain.

Procurement regulations means that this is not easy as the Council has to comply with ‘fair competition’ regulations.

Buying local is already a key factor in the Council’s procurement and it spends almost half of its budget on businesses within PL postcodes, but now it plans to up the ante, committing to a 10 per cent increase over the next two years.

It also plans to set up a Plymouth Supplier Directory, where local suppliers can advertise their capabilities to local buyers.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN GOING OUT Before you go

• If you can, book ahead – check out the pub or restaurant’s website or social media beforehand.

Payment machines in city centre car parks no longer accept cash, to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

You now need to pay through an app or by credit or debit card.

The aim is for all parking machines – including on-street – to be completely cash-free by the end of Summer.

You will be asked to pay by RingGo, via the mobile phone app, website or by phone.

Details of payment methods accepted in each car park can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/ findsomewherepark.

To download the RingGo app visit www.myringgo.co.uk.

Sitting down

• If you’ve not booked and your favourite place is full you won’t get in • Once inside, you will be asked to stay seated • Pubs have inside seating but with two metres or screens to separate tables

Standing up

• If a pub has an outside area you can stand up and drink but you must try to keep two metres apart

Taking orders

• Please listen to staff and security staff – they are trying to keep everyone safe • You may need to follow different routes in and out of the buildings • If you aren’t social distancing you may be asked to leave.

Hundreds of Plymouth firms benefit from COVID-19 grants More than 350 small businesses in Plymouth impacted

by COVID-19 have been given a much-needed lifeline through grants paid out by Plymouth City Council.

The grants have helped support Plymouth’s fishing community, visitor economy, language schools, nurseries, charities and many other small businesses.

The Council was responsible for distributing the £2.27 million Discretionary Grant Fund, which has protected almost 1,700 jobs.

The aim was to help businesses that weren’t eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, but which have significant fixed costs and desperately needed financial support.

A dedicated team of Council staff worked quickly to verify and process applications.

Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “We’ve worked quickly and efficiently to get this much-needed financial support out to as many businesses as possible, as fast as possible. Our staff have worked incredibly hard to not only set up and handle the applications quickly, but also to score and evaluate them.

“We expected demand was likely to outstrip supply and that turned out to be the case. We had to prioritise according to the Government guidelines to ensure the money went to those in most need, but we could have done so much more if we had been given access to more funding, or allowed to keep the under spend on the first grant scheme announced.

“We’ll continue to fight for our local businesses by lobbying for more financial support – although lockdown measures are easing, this is far from over and we will do everything we can to protect Plymouth jobs and businesses.”

4 August 2020

4 August 2020

All waste taken at Chelson Meadow again Chelson Meadow recycling centre is now accepting all types of waste again.

Vans and trailers are now allowed, but only between midday and 6pm. Both still need a permit and the same exclusions and restrictions apply as before.

If you don’t already have a permit the easiest way to apply is online at www. plymouth.gov.uk/vanpermit.

New applications should take no more

than a week to process.

Staff at Chelson Meadow are not able to accept or process forms or issue permits on site.

The Council says numbers have increased steadily as restrictions have been lifted and the site is far busier than it normally would be.

With staff not able to help unload vehicles and social distancing measures in place,

visitors should be prepared for long waiting times.

At exceptionally busy times the site may close temporarily, to allow queues to subside and maintain access for residents and other businesses on The Ride, as well as refuse vehicles.

Please check all the information at www. plymouth.gov.uk/recyclingcentres before setting out.

Majority of City Council services now available as lockdown is eased More than 90 per cent of Council services in Plymouth are now available as Government COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Most services are now operating with measures to ensure the safety of customers and staff and plans are in place for resuming the remainder in line with Government guidance.

While many Council services, such as bin collections, continued throughout COVID-19, some had to be suspended in line with the Government instructions to stop the virus spreading.

The majority of Council staff have been working from home, with many redeployed to critical services such as contacting vulnerable residents who were shielding to ensure they received the support they needed, providing supplies of PPE to care homes and quickly organising urgent grants for hundreds of Plymouth businesses.

Most office-based Council employees

continue to work from home in line with Government guidance.

Refuse collections have been maintained through COVID-19 and, to ensure this could be continued with fewer staff available, garden waste collections were suspended.

Garden waste collections will now start by 24 August.

Chelson Meadow Household Waste Recycling Centre is open with social distancing measures in place. Staff resources are being prioritised on operating this site safely, so the smaller centre at Weston Mill remains closed.

All public toilets are now open and additional temporary toilets have been installed on the Hoe and Barbican due to the increase in visitors following the easing of the lockdown measures.

The 1st Stop Shop in New George Street is being prioritised for homelessness enquiries.

To ensure safe distancing it remains closed to visitors with other enquiries, which can be made online or through the contact centre.

Four city libraries are now offering a select and collect service and we are working on plans to enable further limited access to libraries from next month.

All play areas and parks are open, as well as tennis courts and skate parks.

Car parks have remained open through the COVID-19 pandemic and were free for key workers. Charges have been resumed and measures put in place to end cash payments of to prevent customers and staff from having to handle cash.

The Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican is open.

Tinside Lido and Plympton Pool are now open and Everyone Active are working to reopen Mount Wise (main pool only) as soon as possible.

The Plymouth Life Centre is to remain closed until April 2021, while urgent works are carried out inside the building.

For the latest information about Council services please check our COVID-19 website at plymouth.gov.uk/covid-19.

Garden waste collections to resume in August Garden waste collections will restart by Monday 24 August – or sooner if possible, the City Council says.

The service would normally have started in April but was paused due to COVID-19 restrictions and the need to prioritise the city’s essential bin collections with reduced staff.

Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene, said: “We know Plymouth is a city of keen gardeners

During the lockdown months thousands of library users in Plymouth took advantage of the huge range of ebooks, digital magazines and comics and audio books offered by the City Council library service.

Now those who have craved getting their hands on a hard copy book can do so. The Library Service is running a select and collect service.

Customers are now able to select up to three books by genre, format and age category, and staff will arrange a date and time for the books to be collected.

Select and collect marks the first phase of re-opening libraries after lockdown. The Library Service is now working on plans to make more services available in more libraries.

Look out for news about these plans on the Council’s website and also on its Facebook and Twitter pages.

Information about select and collect is available at: plymouth.gov.uk/libraries

and that people want to get rid of their waste but ensuring that residents and crews are safe has to be our number one priority.

“Garden waste collection isn’t a statutory service but we want to reintroduce it as soon as we can do so safely.”

Residents who haven’t already registered for the service are being strongly encouraged to as this will help the Council manage demand and plan rounds.

Councillor Dann added: “By registering,

residents will help us understand where there is the most demand and plan our rounds in the most efficient way.

“As well as helping to keep crews safe, that also helps us reduce our fuel emissions – saving time and money and reducing our carbon footprint.”

In the meantime people are encouraged to compost at home or take their garden waste to Chelson Meadow recycling centre.

@PlymChronicle

Council registering births, deaths and marriages Births

Nearly 1,000 babies were born in Plymouth during lockdown and the City Council’s registration team is now busy ensuring their births are registered.

By law births can only be registered at a face-to-face appointment, so the team is making appointments by order of birth date.

If your baby was born before 1 May 2020 you can book a birth registration appointment online.

The Council’s website will be updated when it is ready to start making appointments for babies born after this date.

Marriages

The Government is now allowing wedding ceremonies to take place but with a maximum of 30 people.

Some venues may allow fewer people because of social distancing measures.

The City Council is running ceremonies at the Register Office, at approved premises and at the Council House.

The Register Office is COVID-19 safe so couples can come in to give their notice of marriage, which has to be done face-toface.

Guidance for receptions has recently changed. See the latest ‘guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships’ at www. gov.uk.

Registering deaths

The Council’s registration service is continuing to register deaths over the phone. Customers have given positive feedback about this method which is safer for them and for staff.

Funeral and cremation services continue to run at Weston Mill and Efford Cemetery and Crematoria.

Due to ongoing measures to protect people from COVID-19 there are limits on the number of people able to attend services.

The Council is currently offering free webcasting for every funeral.

For the latest information visit www. plymouth.gov.uk

No Mow May is a hit with insects

The City Council’s #NoMowMay policy, where it let a number of verges and banks grow wild, led to some wonderful flashes of colour from Mount Wise to Mannamead and from Peverell to Plympton.

The bees and other insects have loved it and the Council says there has been positive feedback from residents and from nature charities and organisations.

Naturally wildflowers don’t last all year round and some areas are beginning to wilt so the Council is starting a new grass cutting schedule.

This programme will see most areas cut as before but it will leave some areas to let nature do its thing – places like steep banks, or verges that are more use to insects and wildlife than they are to people.

The Council cuts grass on a four weekly schedule. Its teams are still a little depleted, with some staff still shielding and others helping other, more urgent services, but it says it is doing its best to get round the whole city as quickly as it can.

Wild flowers blooming at Mount Wise

August 2020

@PlymChronicle

5

City Council secures £51 million funding to help transform green travel options in Plymouth A package of projects designed to help get us out of our cars and onto trains, buses, bikes, walking or using electric vehicles has been awarded a whopping £51 million.

A dozen projects can now get under starters’ orders, thanks to the Transforming Cities Fund which aims to help the city shift up a gear in tackling climate change and making sustainable transport more attractive and convenient.

The projects aim to reduce congestion, improve air quality and help the city prosper by investing in infrastructure to improve sustainable transport on key commuter routes across the city.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said: “This will completely transform the way people get around in Plymouth.

Collectively, transport makes up around 28 per cent of carbon emissions so it absolutely makes sense to do all we can as a city to get people out of their cars. Small changes make a big difference.”

The schemes will deliver improvements to the walking and cycling network, focussing on filling gaps on the existing strategic cycle network and improving the current infrastructure.

They will provide better and more continuous links to key

growth areas on the main transport routes using sustainable, low carbon travel, which reduces congestion and provides more reliable journey times.

Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene said: “We are thinking seriously about the type of city we want to pass on to the next generation and this is a fantastic mix of projects that will help plug the gaps in our sustainable transport network as well as bring on-track some exciting ideas for future forms of travel.

“It’s about making the green, carbon-friendly option as convenient and easy as possible for residents, commuters and visitors.”

Plymouth has already secured £7.6 million in the first wave of the Transforming Cities Fund and projects are already making a difference to people’s travel habits. Charge points for electric vehicles are being installed at public and private sites, Real-Time Passenger Information is being upgraded at bus stops, new bus shelters and timetable cases have been installed along our key bus routes and a new off-road cycle route is currently under construction along Southway Drive.

Plymouth’s successful submission is called Productive Plymouth and looks to provide improved transport connections to help people of all ages and backgrounds get to work, education and training as well as hospitals and doctors quickly and easily.

Projects will encourage walking, cycling and public transport Electric power – around 50 mobility hubs with 300 electric vehicle charge points, up to 400 e-bikes, car clubs, solar car ports and a smart booking system. These will be integrated with public transport and mean people can plan journeys to use public and shared transport, in Plymouth and on the main routes into Devon and Cornwall.

City centre walking and cycling links – a long-term programme to transform the city centre’s streets and spaces including de-cluttering and improving pedestrian and cycle movement through the city centre.

Royal Parade improvement scheme – will increase capacity for buses with more bus stops. This road is a key part of the city’s transport network with 158 buses stopping every hour.

Mayflower Street bus stops – upgraded to take pressure off Royal Parade.

Plymouth Station forecourt interchange – a pedestrian priority area linking to railway station concourse improvements which will be funded through the first tranche of TCF funding.

Walk and cycle improvements from Dockyard to city centre – the B3396 Saltash Road from the Dockyard to the city centre corridor to be significantly improved for cycling and walking with a new a 2.7 kilometre path.

Smart signals – modernising our traffic control systems so that it is less susceptible to failure. This will cut congestion on the roads by smoothing traffic flows and prioritising signals in response to demand. This will improve air quality as stop/start driving is inefficient for fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. Re-phased signals for buses approaching junctions will give them a ‘green wave’ through the city.

Woolwell to the George Transport improvement scheme – funding for walking and cycling facilities linking the Park and Ride with Woolwell village to support the planned Woolwell development. Woolwell Roundabout will be replaced with a signal control junction and new signal junction at Woolwell Crescent. The road widening funding is still to be sourced.

Annual electoral canvass gets under way The City Council has sent emails to thousands of residents as it begins its annual canvass of households to check voter details are correct.

The canvass checks that the right people are registered to vote at each address and is carried out every year to ensure the electoral register is up-to-date when it is published.

This year the electoral canvass is changing. New rules allow councils to check voter details against other government records, which means some households will not need to respond to their canvass notification.

You must respond if: • any of the information on your notification is incorrect • there are people eligible to register to vote at your address who are not included on the notification • the notification states that you must respond To help reduce the number of paper forms being sent out the Council initially sent canvass notifications out by email,

encouraging those who need to respond to do it online.

Residents who have not provided an email address (or who did not respond to their email) will receive a paper copy by post.

Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, Tracey Lee, said: “It used to be a legal requirement that every household respond to their canvass form, even if there were no changes to make.

“New canvassing rules mean that councils can now crosscheck the details they hold against other Government records so not all households will need to respond – although everyone should still check their details are correct.

“We initially contacted residents who have provided an email address and encouraged them to respond online, to help reduce the number of paper forms we have to post out.

“However, even if you are contacted by post you can still respond online. You can also respond by text – full details are on the form.”

Public Transport Hub at St Budeaux – the two St Budeaux rail stations (Victoria Road and Ferry Road) are both close to bus services. A hub will connect commuters using trains from South East Cornwall and West Devon with employment and healthcare opportunities in the Derriford area. Enabling passengers to change at St Budeaux reduces journey times by sustainable transport compared to travelling via Plymouth Station.

Crownhill Road sustainable transport package – a new bus lane in each direction, with two lanes for general traffic. The bus lanes will be shared with cyclists, separating cyclists from general traffic. The scheme includes bus and cycle facilities at the Crownhill Road/ Budshead Road junction. The improvements will speed up bus journey times, reliability and reduce air pollution.

Work places travel grants – the Council will work with employers to develop and deliver sustainable travel policies and infrastructure so that organisations encourage staff to travel more actively to enjoy health benefits as well as contribute to emissions reductions.

St Budeaux Station to Dockyard walking and cycling route – the A3064 Wolseley Road to Dockyard to have a new 3.2 kilometre cycling and walking path connecting Tamar Bridge to city centre.

6 August 2020

6 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

Could you change a child’s life by fostering?

Could you help to change a child’s life through fostering?

That’s the question the City Council’s fostering team is asking as it looks for more carers as more children continue to need care during the coronavirus crisis, especially siblings and teenagers.

There are currently more than 450 children and young people in care and there is an ongoing campaign to recruit more carers to provide a local foster home for Plymouth children.

Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has caused additional strain on the lives of Plymouth families and children and we need your help to provide a safe and supportive environment during these uncertain times.”

When a child cannot be cared for within their family, the Council’s first priority is for them to be looked after by a local authority foster carer, as they usually live in the area near to a child’s family and friends and therefore supports a continued connection.

Fostering is a way to make a real positive difference to a child’s life, providing children and young people with a stable and loving home and the support and encouragement they need to flourish and achieve.

Fostering for Plymouth City Council also offers full training, support and the opportunity to learn new skills.

Plymouth foster carers are financially supported with an allowance. The allowance is designed to cover the daily costs of looking after the child and varies according to the age and needs of the child.

Foster carers receive lots of training to support them to understand the needs of the children they will be caring for.

Tara has been fostering for just over a year.

She said: “So far I am loving the challenge of helping to make a difference. We have laughed many times along our journey and I feel blessed to share those special moments with my foster child.”

Councillor Laing added: “All the children in our care are different, and to meet their needs, we are looking for a wide variety of people.

“Fostering is a challenging role to take on but it can make a real difference. If you feel that you are looking for a challenge then why not get in touch and make that first step that will change a child’s life?”

Anyone wanting to find out more about becoming a foster carer can contact the Council’s fostering team on 01752 308762 or visit www.fosterforplymouth.co.uk

More carers are needed in Plymouth

Major works now under way on one of Plymouth’s biggest ever road projects One of Plymouth’s biggest ever road projects reached a major milestone when work started on a new 140-metre bridge for the Forder Valley Link Road scheme.

Significant earthworks had to be carried out to prepare for the construction of the supports at either end of the bridge. A 133-tonne piling rig has now finished installing the concrete piles that will provide the foundation to the bridge supports.

The bridge deck, which will carry the road, footway and cycleway, will be built in four sections. There will be no expansion joints or bearings between the sections, making this the largest ‘integral’ bridge in the UK. This means the bridge will need less maintenance, which means less disruption to motorists. As there are no joints the bridge will also provide a smoother ride.

The bridge will run over the Bircham Valley and carry the Forder Valley Link Road, connecting William Prance Road in Derriford and the Forder Valley Road/

Novorossiysk Road junction.

The scheme will create a much-needed alternative link between the A38 and the north of the city, avoiding the often heavily congested Manadon Roundabout and the A386 Tavistock Road.

This will help reduce journey times to and from key destinations such as Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and the Plymouth Science Park and improve bus service reliability.

The project also includes safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians and will be complemented by improvements to the Forder Valley (Leigham) roundabout.

It forms part of a wider package of measures that are key to unlocking growth in the north of Plymouth, where over 4,000 new homes are planned over the next 15 years.

Others include the Derriford Transport Scheme, Derriford Hospital Interchange and Marjon Link Road.

For regular scheme updates email fvlrcomms@ balfourbeatty.com with your name and contact details.

Culvert is completed

Culvert completed Work to install the new 160-metre culvert that will carry the Bircham stream through the Forder Valley is now complete.

Giant piling rig at work on the site of the new Forder Valley Link Road

The new culvert, which will run below ground and lead to an ecology pond, is one of the environmental improvements as part of the link road scheme.

A team of engineering experts and ecologists worked closely with the Environment Agency and Natural England to design the culvert so it would replicate a natural habitat for the wildlife to help their transit.

It looks more like a natural water channel than the previous culvert and includes ledges to help otters and other wildlife travel to and from the Forder Valley Nature Reserve.

Rocks are being placed in the bottom of the culvert to mimic a natural riverbed along with fish resting pools.

The culvert will be covered over and the area landscaped as part of the works.

Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene said: “We promised we would do all we can to ensure any loss to the natural environment in building the new road is more than compensated for. This new culvert will be better for otters and other wildlife travelling along the valley and help us to create better landscaping.”

A new area of recreational land will be provided as part of the scheme, along with an extension to the nearby local nature reserve and links from the new road to paths within the planned Derriford Community Park, connecting local residents and road users with the natural environment.

August 2020

@PlymChronicle

7

Plymouth NSPCC colleagues take on mammoth month-long walk to help fund work in the city Colleagues at the NSPCC in Plymouth are embarking on a huge fundraising challenge to help secure funds for their service centre and its work preventing child sexual abuse across the city.

for Childhood partnership programme in the city, which is being piloted in Ernesettle, that aims to prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the first place.

Plymouth is one of four NSPCC Together for Childhood sites, and one of two focusing on the The team will be walking, jogging and running prevention of child sexual abuse. It is those sites almost 2,000 kilometres between them to cover in Stoke on Trent, Grimsby and Glasgow that the the distance it would take them to visit their team is hoping to reach virtually, before covering sister sites across the UK, including Glasgow. the distance of the return journey to Plymouth.

Each member of the team has set themselves a Sarah Cox, children’s service practitioner for the personal goal, but together they hope to clock up NSPCC, who organised the fundraiser, said: “We the distance before the end of July. are all adapting to working differently during the From the NSPCC service centre in Plymouth, current pandemic and have moved to a virtual colleagues work with children and young people world. We are hoping we can invite families back whose lives have been affected by sexual abuse. in our centre soon but until then we know the They are also leading the way with the Together virtual support we are offering Sarah Cox, children’s service is vital in practitioner, who organised supporting the the campaign, is pictured here children, young with her dog Paws during one of people and their fund-raising walks families we work with.

“We wanted to do something as a team to raise some money for our centre and the work we carry out, but also use it as a chance to do something together as a team because currently we are quite separate, working from

Shelley Shaw and her daughter Rocio are walking and running their way through the challenge

our homes and only seeing each other over our computer screens.”

Some team members are planning to run 30km over the course of the month, whilst others are walking 150km during July or attempting 30km of walking in a single day.

The team started their virtual challenge at their offices in Cattedown. Their first stop is 388km away in Stoke on Trent, with a further 213km to Grimsby. The last stretch is double that, a distance of 460km to get them to their furthest destination of Glasgow before attempting the 785km return journey to Plymouth.

The charity relies on public donations for 90 per cent of its income, and like many other charities

Welcome back!

We can’t wait to see you in Plymouth

Plymouth offers a fantastic shopping experience, with an amazing mix of top brand names and creative independents. As businesses continue to reopen, we’re looking forward to welcoming you back to Britain’s Ocean City.

You’ll find there are lots of additional measures in place in the city centre and across the waterfront to help keep you safe. There are also steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the spread of coronavirus.

Plan your visit Check what’s open Not all businesses will be reopening at the same time, and some may have reduced opening hours, so check before you visit. You’ll probably need to book in advance for lots of places, including attractions and restaurants.

You can find out what businesses are open by visiting Shop4Plymouth.co.uk, keeping an eye on our social media channels or by checking the individual businesses’ website and social media before you visit.

Your Safety We’re committed to keeping you safe when you shop, here’s what we’ve done: • New signs in place about social distancing • Enhanced cleaning for the public toilets • The street cleansing team will be paying particular attention to contact points like bins and seats • We’ve made our car parks cash free, so you can pay by card or by phone What you can do: • If you or anyone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus, please stay at home and self-isolate • Remember to follow the latest Gov.uk website guidance on social distancing • Wash your hands regularly, or use hand sanitiser when out and about • Wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth in situations when it’s hard to stay two metres away from people, such as in shops or on public transport • Follow social distancing and queueing instructions set out by businesses, and be mindful that you may have to wait to be allowed in to some stores to allow for a safe shopping experience.

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have been hit hard during the pandemic with cancelled or postponed mass participation events.

Caroline Morgan, supporter fundraising manager for the NSPCC in the South West said: “The team at NSPCC Plymouth are still here for children and have been during the lockdown and that’s been possible thanks to the public donations we so heavily rely on as a charity.

“As well as working with children, young people and families during the week through the direct services the team are offering virtually at the moment, they are finding the time to walk, jog, and run almost 2,000km, finding new ways to raise money when they can’t be together.

“They are an incredible team who want the best for children in this city, and all the money they raise will help protect children via the centre’s direct services and community based Together for Childhood activity.”

To follow the progress made by the team throughout the month or to sponsor the fundraising challenge visit Sarah’s JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/ plymouthservicecentre The team has been inspired by the charity’s Run30 challenge, which encourages people to run, walk or jog 30k in 30 days to help raise vital funds to help the NSPCC still be here for children and young people. For more information on how to sign up for the Run30 challenge visit the NSPCC website at nspcc.org.uk Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000.

Children can contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk 365 days a year, and speak to a counsellor about a worry or concern they may have.

8 August 2020

Orthopaedic surgery moves to Nuffield

Orthopaedic surgery has moved from Derriford to the Nuffield Health Hospital.

Patients will be clinically assessed for suitability against a set of criteria that is designed to ensure patient safety. Patients with more complex clinical needs will still need to receive their operation at Derriford.

This is because the operating team may need access to other resources at Derriford, such as enhanced recovery, which are not available at the Nuffield.

At the start of the pandemic it was agreed that Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital would support University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust by locating the Trust’s Oncology Unit and Minor Injuries Unit at their hospital.

Like all other independent healthcare providers in the UK, their private healthcare activity ceased. In an unprecedented move, the private hospital along with all their staff became part of the NHS in a successful collaboration.

The partnership was made possible under a national agreement, which the independent sector signed to make its staff, equipment and facilities available to the NHS to help alleviate the pressure caused by the pandemic.

Natasha Stokes, Trauma, Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Service Line Cluster manager said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital team to recommence elective orthopaedic operating.

“Setting this service up in such a short space of time, and making sure we are compliant with post COVID-19 new norms to keep our patients and our staff safe has certainly given us all a lot to think about, but working together, we have overcome the challenges we were faced with at the beginning and look forward to receiving our first patients.

“We are grateful to the Nuffield Health team for their positive and proactive approach to supporting the NHS.” Patricia Warwick, hospital director at Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital, said: “We are pleased to continue to offer our support to our local NHS trust at this challenging time.

“Supporting the NHS during this unprecedented global health emergency is still the right thing to do and I pay tribute to the dedication of all my colleagues who have come together to provide high quality care in such challenging circumstances.”

The Trust’s arrangement with Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital is expected to continue for several months.

Police appeal for help over missing Derriford woman

Police are appealing for help in locating a missing woman from Derriford.

Lorraine Carne, aged 56, was reported as missing to the police and is believed to be in the Newquay or Truro area.

Lorraine is described as white, around five feet four inches tall of slim build with shoulder length hair worn in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a brown top, khaki collared jacket, three quarter length camouflage trousers and flip flops. She was carrying a brown bag.

Anyone who has seen Lorraine or knows of her whereabouts is asked to call 101 quoting Log 0256.

8 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

Making Plymouth safe and playful, while supporting the NHS charity A family fun ‘Safari’, a high street storytrail, is coming to Plymouth city centre to help spread joy, support the NHS and give families a safe reason to return to the high street.

Launched on July 18, families and households in Plymouth are invited to search the streets for 10 cute and colourful MonsterHeroes. Using only smartphones, the Safari allows you to learn each of the MonsterHeroes’ name, story, and superpowers. Once all 10 MonsterHeroes are found, a free e-book that tells the story of their first team-up will be unlocked.

The Safari works by utilising contactless NFC technology and QR codes. Players don’t need to download or sign up to anything, they simply need to tap or scan to play. There is a nominal cost of £2 per family to play, with donations going to NHS Charities Together.

Plymouth City Centre Company is running the Safari to help bring some sort of normality back to the high street, keeping shoppers entertained and encouraging more visitors to the city centre while keeping them safe.

Over 100 BIDs and councils across the UK are

taking part in the MonsterHero Safari project, which has been sponsored by Wild in Art, with the aim of raising over £100k for NHS Charities Together. In times of great stress, this project aims to provide the local community with a memorable high street experience that will bring a smile to the local community.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company said: “We are really excited about this trail.

“Many of our city centre events have been cancelled because of COVID-19, so now that we have introduced safety measuresand the city centre has reopened, this is the perfect opportunity to attract people back in a safe and

Nuffield Health fitness centres open again Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, welcomed members back to its fitness and wellbeing centres in Plymouth on July 25.

Martin Friend, chief operating officer at Nuffield Health comments: “The health and safety of our members and employees is our first priority. With over 60 years’ experience in clinical care, we are implementing learnings from our To ensure the sites in the Barbican Leisure infection prevention team, alongside industry Park and at the Devonshire Health & Racquets and government recommendations to ensure Club in Derriford were safe for both members our fitness and wellbeing clubs are prepared to and employees, Nuffield Health implemented a welcome back members in a safe and controlled number of changes, following guidance from UK way.

Active, the UK government, Public Health England and the charity’s infection prevention team.

“During this unprecedented time, we have To maintain the health and wellbeing of staff been supporting regional NHS trusts and local and members, Nuffield Health has drawn on over communities across the nation. We have made all 60 years of clinical care experience to influence its of our 31 hospitals available to the NHS to help approach to reopening. Applying learnings from increase capacity to support those NHS patients its hospital’s infection prevention team the gym is affected by COVID-19. taking members’ temperatures on arrival, reduced “Our hospitals have also been used to facilitate fitness class sizes and placed signs around the the continued delivery of critical NHS services, club to help maintain social distancing. such as cancer care, and to support NHS patients Classes are also shorter than usual to allow with other health conditions. We are in a unique time to sanitise the space in between sessions. position Swimming to care for pools have people re-opened for physically, lane swimming mentally and only, with clinically fewer people to help the able to use recovery of the pool at the nation.” any one time, Nuffield and members Health is also are asked to setting out book their how members session before can play a role arriving. in ensuring Saunas, steam a safe, clean rooms and environment spa pools will Special measures will be introduced to protect staff and members for all. remain closed, Members are asked to arrive dressed for their while cafes will be offering a reduced service, with workout to limit the use of changing rooms. some remaining closed for the time being.

Members are also being asked to bring a full To ensure cleanliness, Nuffield Health are performing an enhanced two-stage cleaning water bottle as water fountains are out of use. process, using detergent and disinfectant, to Those using the gym are asked to shower at sanitise all gym equipment throughout the day home, so shower facilities can be prioritised for and clean the entire club overnight. Nuffield those using the pool, as the number of shower Health is also providing multiple hand sanitising facilities has been reduced. stations and supplying more hygiene wipe Members will also be asked to book online for dispensers throughout the club, so members can classes and lane swimming, and to limit their visit clean down equipment and mats before and after to an hour, so that all members get the chance to use. use the facilities.

fun way and raise money for a great cause at the same time.”

Coordinating the national project is Martin Blackwell, former CEO of ATCM and the Charity Retail Association who said: “When I heard about the concept it just resonated with me and I knew I had to support it.

“I loved the idea of heroes; the idea of a ‘safari on the high street!’ I just thought, if something fun like this can help make families feel good about going back out onto the high street and raise money for such a worthy cause then let’s go for it.”

For more information, see visitplymouth. co.uk or to learn more about the story-trail please see www.monsterherosafari.com.

More litter ‘tossers’ fined by court

Twelve more litter louts have been fined after hearings at Plymouth Magistrates Court.

The court heard how the offenders were all given fixed penalty notices by the council’s environmental enforcement officers, who witnessed them dropping litter on the city’s streets. However, despite several reminders, the fixed penalty notices remained unpaid, resulting in a summons to court.

The court found 11 of the defendants guilty in their absence and ordered them each to pay a fine of £220, legal costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £32. The other defendant submitted a guilty plea by post and was fined £100, ordered to pay £50 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

All the defendants will now carry a criminal record. The fines come in the same week that the council upped the ante on littering.

A number of humorous posters and signs are appearing throughout the city that ask people not to toss their litter.

Since pictures of the signs began to appear on social media, feedback has been really positive.

Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet member for Street Scene and the Environment, said: “We’re sick of being nice about it. Littering is disgusting and we’ve had enough.

“We know it’s not a new idea but hopefully by using some more frank language, these signs will make people think twice about ‘tossing’ their litter away.

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NEW PLYMOUTH SAMARITANS DIRECTOR SAYS ‘TALK TO US’ Plymouth Samaritans new director Norman Holmes is keen to raise awareness of Samaritans’ emotional help and to encourage people to get in touch if they need support.

He is also working with artists to raise funds and spread the message. To this end, Plymouth Samaritans have posted over 100 A5 mini canvasses to artists throughout the UK and are planning to hold an auction of returned originals later this year. 30 canvasses have already been returned but if any local artist would like a mini canvas to paint then they can contact Norman on norman.holmes@live.com Samaritans have continued to provide a service throughout the pandemic at a time when listening to others has never been more important.

Since lockdown in March, one in three callers have talked about coronavirus and the most common concerns relating to it were loneliness, isolation, mental health, family, finances and unemployment.

Norman said: “Lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on many people and our volunteers have been a muchneeded source of support for those whose networks haven’t been available during the pandemic. Our message is ‘Talk to us’ on any day at any time.

“Our outreach and fundraising activities have been curtailed during lockdown but we hope the public can support us in any way they can to ensure our volunteers can continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope.

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10 August 2020

Ten Plymouth schools receive funding boost for improvements to facilities

10 August 2020

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Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Messenger is helping Plymouth City Council spread the message about wearing a mask or face covering in enclosed publc spaces, including shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks, building societies and post offices Photo: Steve Haywood

Ten schools in Plymouth are among more than 20 in Devon which will benefit from funding to improve their facilities.

The schools have been allocated a share of the £434 million investment announced by the Government to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and improve the education of children across the whole country.

The funding will ensure schools have well-maintained facilities to provide students with safe environments that support a high-quality education.

It is part of the £1.4billion of capital funding for 2020-21 announced in April and is provided through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

The Government has also announced a major 10-year school rebuilding programme. This will be kick-started with over £1 billion for the first 50 projects in 2020-21.

The new investment will ensure schools and colleges can focus on teaching, with brand new buildings and better facilities so that every child gets the world-class education all children deserve.

Schools across the country have played their part in responding to to the pandemic, ensuring their doors remained open for the children of essential workers – who have kept the NHS, public services and economy going throughout this crisis.

The £1billion package is on top of the £14 billion three-year funding settlement announced last year – recognising the additional work schools will need to do to help students to catch up.

The Plymouth schools which will receive funding are: Mayflower Academy: fire alarm replacement and emergency lighting repair works; Ernesettle Community School: drainage improvement works; Manadon Vale Primary School: essential heating/domestic water replacement; Leigham Primary School: essential heating/domestic water replacement; Weston Mill Community Primary Academy: fire safety and compliance; Eggbuckland Vale Primary School: essential fire safety works; Salisbury Road Primary School: dining hall fire improvement works; Mount Wise Community Primary School: curtain wall replacement; Mount Street Primary School: emergency lighting and fire alarm refurbishment; Elburton Primary School: drainage work.

Appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage Police have re-issued their appeal for witnesses of a collision in which a motorcyclist died.

The collision involved two vans and a motorcycle and occurred on Hillcrest Drive at the junction with Longwood Close, at 2.20pm on Friday July 3.

Officers would particularly like to speak to people in the area prior to the collision who witnessed the driving of the vehicles involved.

Dashcam or CCTV footage would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone with any information which could assist police enquiries are asked to phone 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting log number 468, 3/7/20.

Theatre Royal Plymouth in appeal for public support to help secure its future Theatre Royal Plymouth is appealing for people to help secure its future by buying tickets for upcoming shows - even though there is uncertainty about when live performances will be resumed.

An emergency Arts Council grant of £806,000 for the Theatre Royal was announced in July as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion package to support culture.

Adrian Vinken, chief executive officer at Theatre Royal Plymouth - which is a registered charity - said: “We warmly welcome the Government’s announcement to support culture and we are very grateful to receive an emergency grant from Arts Council England’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund.

“We would like to thank all those who have so passionately and visibly supported the sector and TRP over recent weeks on the streets, on social networks, in the media and in writing.

“It’s been heartening to hear and see first-hand the impact of the work we do and how close people hold arts, culture and TRP to their hearts. We look forward to understanding the details of the Government’s support package announced this week and how it will be invested across the sector, including to freelancers on whom the whole creative industries sector relies.

“Crucially, we await a timetable that indicates when venues might be able to safely reopen again. Only then will we really be in a position to meaningfully plan a future for TRP.” In June staff at Theatre Royal Plymouth were informed that over 100 jobs were at risk because of the impact of the pandemic, which has reduced the venue’s income by more than 90 per cent. Redundancy consultations involving the trade union BECTU began on June 22 and could affect almost a third of the charity’s 340 staff.

Adrian Vinken said: “With the Government’s furlough scheme finishing in October and no guarantee about when and how we can safely open our doors, our already depleted funds will be under increasing pressure in the coming months.

Adrian Vinken

“This is compounded by research predicting a reduction in audience numbers when we do reopen, meaning that we’ll have to weather a significant drop in revenue even then – a situation that could last for 12 months or more. Together these factors have led us to the very painful but unavoidable conclusion that we must reduce our workforce in order to try to protect TRP for the future.”

BECTU Official Kevin Carson said “We have developed a positive working relationship with TRP in helping the company become a Real Living Wage employer last year.

Although this announcement about potential redundancies is worrying news, we understand that TRP have similar concerns for their survival as do most other theatres across the country. We will work with TRP to ensure the long-term future for the organisation and our member’s jobs.”

Adrian Vinken said: “We have done everything we could to protect the jobs and incomes of our loyal workforce for as long as possible. This includes continuing to pay our casual staff members when most companies terminated contracts back in March.

“We have also honoured all contracts with

creative freelancers working on the shows that we were due to produce despite their cancellation.”

No final decision on redundancies will be made until the consultation process is complete.

Whilst the venue has been shut it has undertaken support efforts including staff fundraisers and the launch of an Emergency Appeal to which hundreds of local people have already contributed.

Recently, TRP’s active staff members volunteered to reduce their salaries by 20 per cent in a bid to support the charity.

Paying tribute to the staff, Adrian Vinken said: “The commitment of the whole organisation during this very challenging time has been exceptional particularly the moving gesture by those still working to volunteer a reduction in pay.

“TRP’s excellent reputation in the industry and the fierce level of public support it enjoys has been built over many years and is a testament to the quality of our people.

It’s heartbreaking that what was a thriving organisation worth over £40 million annually to the local economy just weeks ago has been forced to implement redundancies to safeguard the future.

“It’s a terribly sad outcome for such loyal and capable staff –but a regrettable and inevitable result of the ongoing crisis.”

Though an opening date for TRP has yet to be confirmed, productions in 2020 remain on sale including the Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.

Adrian Vinken added: “The best way to support TRP is to continue donating, purchasing gift vouchers or booking tickets for the future as normal – safe in the knowledge that if we are able to open you’ll have a fantastic time and, if the show has to be cancelled, you’ll get a full refund.”

For details of shows later in 2020 and into 2021 go to www.theatreroyal.com/whats-on To support TRP go to www.theatreroyal. com/emergencyappeal. A new website theatre royal.com/tr3 has been created to provide updates and information on the valuable community work they are continuing to do during these difficult times.

Diane is the new chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s Business Improvement District (PWP BID) has appointed Diane Mansell as its new waterfront manager and chief executive.

Diane, who currently manages the Soho Road BID in Birmingham, has taken the position to help develop the role of PWP in Plymouth and is due to start in September.

One of Diane’s main tasks will be to develop strategic links with major stakeholders in the city. This will include involving the BID in the city’s regeneration plans, such as Plymouth City Council’s economic recovery plan, Resurgam, Plymouth’s new Visitor Plan for 2020-30 and the emerging National Marine Park, as well as beginning to plan for the renewal of the Waterfront BID in 2022.

Plymouth currently has two BIDs, Plymouth City Centre Company, which covers the retail heart of the city centre and PWP which covers four square miles of waterfront with its vibrant mix of hospitality, retail, leisure, office, accommodation and attractions.

Together they represent more than 1,300 businesses in Plymouth

Diane Mansell

and help to promote and manage regeneration schemes, events and street trading generating millions of pounds of investment.

Nick Buckland, Chair of PWP, said: “BIDs have already made a huge impact in Plymouth and there is great potential to expand their role and make a telling difference to the city’s future development, particularly to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19.

“Diane recognises the opportunities BIDs represent and I’m thrilled she is joining us. She has a very impressive track record in delivering BIDs, plus major regeneration and community projects in and around Birmingham.

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“This is a key appointment and Diane - who has recently won the Queens Award for voluntary service - will be a fantastic asset. I look forward to working with her over what will be an exciting year ahead of us, leading up to the ballot for PWP and setting out the strategic vision for BIDs for the next five years.”

Diane’s appointment follows the departure of Sarah Gibson, the previous waterfront manager and CEO. Diane, who holds a BSc Combined Honours in Public Policy, Management and Business Administration, said: “It’s a terrific opportunity for me to move the Waterfront BID to the next level,

making a significant contribution to the city that I’ve fallen in love with.

“I’ve hugely benefited from working in Birmingham and I look forward to meeting everyone involved with the Waterfront’s development at the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.

“I want to ensure the success the BIDs have enjoyed over the past few years is built upon and together with our key partners, such as at the LEP, Destination Plymouth and the City Council, that we harness the potential of the city’s private sector to continue to drive the Waterfront’s economy forward.”

Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, Pete Smith, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Diane to the role and to our incredible city. The waterfront is the jewel in Plymouth’s crown – we’re very proud of it and are committed to making it the best it can be for businesses, locals and visitors alike.

“The BID’s role is especially important during this difficult time, so we look forward to working together to support waterfront businesses and drive economic recovery.”

For more information about PWP visit www.waterfrontbid.co.uk

August 2020 11

Life Centre will be closed until April next year

@PlymChronicle

Plymouth’s Life Centre is to remain closed until April 2021, while urgent works are carried out inside the building.

The facility has been hugely popular with people of all ages since it opened in 2012, providing a wide range of sports and leisure activities, from elite diving and swimming to a splash pool for children, as well as a bowls rink, climbing wall, sports hall and fitness suite.

There have, however, been a number of issues requiring works over the last eight years, including ongoing water leaks in certain parts of the building. During the last few months further surveys and investigations by the Council and Balfour Beatty, who constructed the facility, have confirmed that major works are needed to rectify these issues.

The works will involve stripping the pool surround and changing areas back to the base concrete before relaying them with new waterproof layers. Consequential damage to walls, ceilings, fixtures and fittings, metalwork, plant and electrics will also need to be repaired.

The scale of these works means the centre will need to be temporarily closed until next April.

Balfour Beatty have agreed that they will carry out these essential works at their own cost.

Deputy Council Leader, Peter Smith, said: “We’re obviously very disappointed not to be able to reopen the Life Centre later this month.

We know many people will have been looking forward to using the facilities again following lockdown restrictions.

“While the centre has been closed we’ve been able to do some more detailed investigation and survey work and the fact is we are looking at some issues that need to be sorted out as soon as possible.

“If we don’t carry out these essential repairs the issues will just get worse and ultimately put the long-term future of the building at risk. We have a duty to the people of Plymouth to give them the first-class facility they deserve and one they can continue to enjoy for many years to come.

“We know the huge inconvenience this will cause, which is why we have explored all options to get the work done in the shortest possible timeframe. A partial closure – trying to keep restricted areas open around the works – would add significant time and cost to the programme and be an unpleasant, disruptive and noisy experience for centre users.

“The closure will clearly impact on our aquatics programmes but both British Swimming and Swim England are supportive of the works, which will improve the facility for swimmers and divers and help to secure the future of these sports in Plymouth.”

David Greenwood, regional contract manager at Everyone Active - who run the Life Centre – said: “While we are extremely disappointed about the closure of Plymouth Life Centre, we fully support the Council’s decision to carry out the essential remedial works so we can protect the long-term future of the centre.

“Our number one priority is our customers and colleagues so we are in communications with them directly and will continue to update them during the closure.”

Everyone Active opened Brickfields Sports Centre (gym only) and Plympton Swimming Pool (gym only) on July 25 while Plympton Swimming Pool, Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Swimming Pools (main pool only) are opening on August 1 The gym at Brickfields Sports Centre will be extended to accommodate more people, in line with social distancing, as well as increase the number of fitness stations for customers.

The equipment is scheduled to be installed on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 July, therefore the gym will be closed during that period.

12 August 2020

12 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

September opening for Plymouth’s £42 million cultural attraction The Box - Plymouth’s £42 million cultural attraction - will open to the public in September.

The original opening date in May was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but The Box will now open on Friday September 25, 26 and 27 with a special preview weekend for Plymouth residents who took part in a ballot earlier this year. It will then be open to the public from Tuesday September 29. Opening hours will be 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday.

The Box is the largest multi-disciplinary arts and heritage space to open in the UK in 2020. As a key element of Plymouth’s ‘Resurgam’ programme, its launch now symbolises Plymouth’s recovery and sets the direction for positive change in the local economy and life of the city as it moves through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally three separate buildings, The Box’s ground-breaking design has completely transformed, extended and combined Plymouth’s former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library building and St Luke’s Church to create a cutting-edge, interactive cultural centre with 13 new galleries and exhibition spaces, a striking elevated archive, learning and research facilities and a brand new public square. In preparation for opening, The Box has put a number of safety and social distancing measures in place to help visitors feel as comfortable as possible.

These include: · Free admission by advance ticket only, with an easy to follow booking system at www. theboxplymouth.com (tickets can be booked from September 10) · Reduced capacity and clearly marked one way systems in key areas of circulation · Increased checks by staff and volunteers · Hand sanitising facilities and enhanced cleaning

The stunning collection of ships’ figureheads will be one of the big attractions at The Box

· A temporary reduction in on site events alongside an enhanced digital offer In line with government guidance, the wearing of face coverings will be encouraged for all visitors over 11 years old and mandatory in the retail area.

Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This is such an exciting moment for the city and it’s fantastic to finally be able to announce these dates. The Box is a vital part of our recovery programme and it feels like it’s been a long time coming now. Staff have worked so hard over the last few months to maintain momentum and keep the public engaged with the project.

“They’ve also put in a huge effort to respond

to the current government guidelines to ensure that everyone who visits will have a safe and enjoyable experience. I hope everyone is as proud and excited as I am and can’t wait for the doors to open. In our post-lockdown world The Box is going to be a place where people can reconnect with each other, Plymouth’s history and its future.”

The Box will open with three major exhibitions.

Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy, the largest commemorative Mayflower exhibition in history, will include over 300 objects and has been cocurated with the Wampanoag Native American Advisory Committee.

Making It: An international contemporary art exhibition featuring newly commissioned works by Antony Gormley, Portuguese artist Leonor Antunes and Brazilian artist Alexandre da Cunha.

Kehinde Wiley: Ship of Fools has been curated in partnership with The Arts Institute at the University of Plymouth and Royal Museums Greenwich, and will present a three-channel film work by American artist Kehinde Wiley in The Levinsky Gallery.

Nine permanent galleries will also showcase The Box’s incredible collections and will include 14 monumental ships’ figureheads, thousands of natural history specimens, a full-size woolly mammoth replica, paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and ceramics from the city’s art collections, objects, film and photography from its media collections and documents, maps and plans from its archives.

Admission will be free to all exhibitions and galleries apart from the ‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’ exhibition. This will be free for Plymouth residents and under 18s with a small £5 charge for non-Plymouth residents who are over 18.

Find out more about The Box at www. theboxplymouth.com

Special events in Plymouth to mark 75th Anniversary of VJ Day The 75th anniversary of VJ Day - Victory over Japan - will be marked with special events in Plymouth in August.

VJ Day marks the surrender of Japan on August 15 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. The 75th anniversary will be marked in Plymouth with a memorial service for the people of Plymouth, followed by a celebration in The Guildhall with live entertainment.

Lisa De-Lar, one of the organisers from an association called FEPOW - Far East Prisoners of War, said: “Everyone remembers and celebrates VE Day, thinking that this was the end of the Second World War, but of course that is not true.

“The war ended with Japan surrendering on August 15 1945 and after this date and in many locations the act of surrender had to be signed. So August 15 was known as the end of the War.” Lisa said that many dignitaries will be attending on August 15, including the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Lord Lieutenant of Devon and the High Sheriff of Devon.

The memorial service at the Minster Church of St Andrew’s is at 11am to be followed by the celebration in The Guildhall from 1.15pm to 9pm when people are encouraged to ‘put on those dancing shoes or sing along with great entertainers.

Music from the 40s, 50s and 60s will be performed by a number of acts including Sandy Sparkle, Neil Kristopher, 2 Unique and Ocean City Sounds.

Entry is by wrist band which cost £3. They can be purchased from the organisers at The Treasury between 11am and 2pm on July 25 and 29 and August 1. For more information visit www. vjday75plymouth.co.uk

Plymouth Art Weekender returns to city in September Proving that out of adversity comes creativity, the team behind the trailblazing Plymouth Art Weekender and Visual Arts Plymouth are pressing ahead with plans for the 2020 Visual Art Festival.

Despite most events nationally and globally being postponed or cancelled, Plymouth Art Weekender will run from September 25 to 27.

Venues of all shapes and sizes across the city will play host to socially distanced exhibitions, events

and community-based activity for all types of people.

A lifeline emergency COVID-19 grant from Arts Council England ensured the survival of the event - along with the determination of the team behind Art weekender. The 2020 Art Weekender will see creatively COVID-adjacent commissions linked to exciting names springing up across the city although not all of the public art works will be linked to the pandemic.

It will be a particular cultural focal point this year, especially since much of the planned cultural activity around Mayflower 400 has had to be postponed with the Weekender fostering commissioning partnerships with Nudge Community Builders, Theatre Royal Plymouth and KARST for the Festival. Founded in 2015 by Visual Arts Plymouth CIC (VAP), after the British Art Show 7 in 2011 saw a growing appetite for ambitious artistic activity in the city, the Plymouth Art

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Weekender started off as a grassroots experiment to bring together emerging and existing artists in a ‘fringe-like’ fashion.

Phil Gibby, area director for Arts Council England, said: “We are delighted to support the 2020 Plymouth Art Weekender (PAW) through our National Lottery Project Grants and COVID-19 Emergency Response Funding programmes, made possible thanks to investment from the National Lottery.

“It’s encouraging to see how certain cultural activities are starting - where possible - to adapt their offer within social distancing guidelines.

“We’re really pleased that this three-day celebration will give local creatives more artistic opportunities, give the people of Plymouth the chance to enjoy a remarkable range of fantastic cultural experiences this September, and help to kick start the local economy by attracting more visitors to the Ocean City because of its growing reputation as a Visual Arts destination.”

For more information visit www.plymouthartweekender.com.

@PlymChronicle

New app offers self-guided walking trails featuring Plymouth’s past A brand new app featuring self-guided walking trails throughout Plymouth is now available to download, giving visitors and locals alike the chance to explore the city through new eyes and discover more about its complex history.

The interactive Plymouth Trails app, which is free to download, includes three new tailored trails: Mayflower Trail: Following a circular route around the Barbican, see the buildings and meet the people that shaped the city in 1620, when the Mayflower ship and its passengers set sail for America City Centre Trail: Discover a different side to the imposing post-war architecture in the city centre and learn more about how the city was rebuilt following the Blitz during World War II Plymouth Hoe Trail: Enjoy a walk along the coast as you delve into Plymouth’s maritime history, taking in key landmarks such as Tinside Lido and Smeaton’s Tower.

By utilising new technologies, the app allows users to overlay video and images onto the landscape in front of them to experience a ‘then and now’ snapshot of the city.

Accompanying children’s activity guides are also available to download to keep younger visitors engaged. From September, school activity packs will be available for teachers to use with groups of children too.

The Mayflower Trail, created as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations which will now continue into 2021, also boasts a physical presence in the form of bronze monoliths along the route helping to guide visitors and providing more information.

Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, Pete Smith, said: “We’re really proud of the trails and the app, which give people the chance to discover Plymouth’s fascinating

Bronze monolith at the Mayflower Steps

Following the Mayflower trail at the Mayflower Steps

history at their own pace, in their own time.

“Although we’ve had to make changes to our Mayflower 400 commemorative programme, the free app offers everyone a chance to learn all about this significant story while exploring our beautiful city. And as we start to move out of lockdown, the trails offer the perfect opportunity to get out, try something new and enjoy some fresh air with the family.”

Work is ongoing to make sure that the core trails are accessible for everyone, which has been assessed with the help of Plymouth Area Disability Action Network.

A number of improvements have already been made, including adding dropped kerbs, seating and better facilities along the routes.

The new trails were made possible thanks to financial support from Plymouth City Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Great Western Railway, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Mayflower 400 and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership,

Nick Buckland, said: “We were delighted to contribute towards the app development as we really believe this will encourage more people to explore Plymouth’s incredible waterfront and the fantastic businesses that are based there.”

The app also hosts partner trails that are free for people to follow. This includes the American Tree Trail from Plymouth Tree Partnership which runs from Drake’s reservoir through the city centre to the Barbican, stopping at trees and sites with an American association.

App users can also follow the Sutton Harbour Heritage Trail, a loop around the historic Harbourside area, or the Waterfront Walkway, Plymouth’s section of the South West Coast Path that will take users on a nine mile walk from the Cremyll Ferry to Jennycliff. Other additional trails will be added to the app in the future. The app can be downloaded now on Android or iOS. The app and core trails are available in French, Spanish and German as well as English.

For a preview of the Mayflower Trail, watch the latest video in the Mayflower Virtual Voyages series on the Mayflower400uk. org website, which also offers an insight into the events coming up around the commemoration.

For more information, see visitplymouth. co.uk/trails.

Mad Dog Mcrea to play exclusive live streamed gig Plymouth’s Mad Dog Mcrea will be playing an exclusive live streamed gig in August.

It will be a full production show and is not to be missed by fans of their unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz and bluegrass and music.

Tickets for this one-off event on August 14 are now available online from the band’s website. They are strictly limited and early booking is advised. The gig will not be available as a video after the event so make sure you are one of the lucky ones who can say ‘I was there!’

Tickets give access to an exclusive live stream from the venue with the show starting at 8pm and finishing at 9.45pm. Viewers can watch this from the comfort of your home or preferred place. The show will not be available to watch after August 14.

Kev Davis from event promoters Fuelled

By Cider said: “Coronavirus has hit the live music scene very hard but we are determined not to let it stop us enjoying our favourite

best bands this summer. We’re thrilled to be involved in this exclusive show, and know that Mad Dog Mcrea will be as dynamic and fun in your front room as they would be if you were in the front row!”

From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival around, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

Matched with the unshakable dedication of their massive and ‘loyal-to-the-hilt’, fan base – Mad Dog Mcrea are more than just a very popular, festival act – with five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists too.

For tickets go to www.maddogmcrea.co.uk

August 2020 13

Frankfort Gate gets flowered up with a funky new look Plymouth’s West End is going to getting a splash of colour and is set to become a place to stay and play as part of a package of improvement works.

Frankfort Gate will be transformed into a family friendly space, creating an attractive gateway into the West End and Plymouth Market and provide more space for events. Work will include: • Providing a colourful soft play surface for children • Refurbished and colourful seating • New planting within raised tree surrounds to give a splash of colour • New street lighting, new power points for events and feature ornamental lighting both within and around the new tree surrounds Planting and other environmental works will also take place in Market Avenue and Cornwall Street.

The work is a joint project by Plymouth City Council and the City Centre Company and is designed to create a more vibrant feel to an area that is already seeing more people sit out and enjoy the cafes that are now open there.

Last year the City Centre Company created the West End Plymouth brand to give the area its own identity. Benches and planters have already been given a bit of TLC with the bright branding and the location now has its own website www.westendplymouth.co.uk and social media channels to help businesses shout about what’s going on there and to encourage even more people to visit.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We started this project last year and the branding is now clearly visible across the West End and there is a real sense of togetherness from the businesses and the community.

“This new work will be a huge boost for local businesses. It will create a space that people want to visit and spend time in and will give us the opportunity to put on more events.”

City Centre champion Councillor Mark Lowry said: “It’s going to be brighter, better and good for business and we are keen to support traders wherever possible. Having outside space is going to be crucial for cafés and making this space more welcoming is all going to help.”

Letter to the Editor

Stop these cruel dog breeders

First to say how much how much we usually enjoy your paper. However, I couldn’t leave a story you had in the July 2020 edition of the Plymouth Chronicle without writing to you.

The ‘It’s super news for Superdog!” article described the kindness and care given to a Shar-Peis dog by Gables Dogs Home and his adoptive owner.

It went on to describe the vet visits, the two operations for his deformed eyelids that folded inwards, and the surgical operation to resection his ears and remove excess skin. And even after all that he will still need careful attention to avoid infections.

Surely we are missing the point here? Breeds like this are doomed to a life of suffering from birth. The breeders who deliberately breed dogs with such abnormalities should be prosecuted.

There is nothing good about breeding animals that have such severe skin, eye, ear and other problems that they need a series of surgical operations just to be able to live.

Please, Plymouth Chronicle, add a plea to readers never to support this cruel practice.

Buying breeds like the Shar-Peis simply encourages breeders and perpetuates this cruel business.

Caroline Thomas

Care in the community by the community

What can we do for others? We, at POP+ have been delighted to witness the number of people; the amount of goodwill and the level of commitment that individuals across the city have shown to their neighbours whether they know them or not. Interest in the pioneering Neighbourhood Care Networks is growing as other community groups and city-wide organisations, including the City Council, Neighbourhood Watch and St Luke’s Hospice learn about the way they are supporting and enabling communities to better help themselves. There is also a determination from those involved, that as residents chose to participate, they will be encouraged and supported to take a greater role in shaping their own communities.

Despite the easing of lockdown, the Neighbourhood Care Networks continue to receive requests for help particularly from people still shielding. In Stoke, a team of around 15-20 STARS volunteers who have been providing local support are now going one step further: after months of seclusion, residents who may be tentative about taking their first steps beyond their door, are being offered a steady hand from a STARS supporter ready to escort them as they do their errands and shopping.

As the NCN’s develop so other agencies and organisations are recognising their value. As Karen Pilkington from STARS says, this means they can provide more support to more people; “We’ve had organisations such as Barnados, the Stoke GP Surgery and the Well Pharmacy giving our number to individuals they are working with, directing them to us for support.

It has been great to see this collaboration, between statutory services and volunteers, with everyone working together to create communities where we can all help each other.”

As we move out of lockdown Plymouth’s Neighbourhood Care Networks will become the meeting and connection spaces for businesses, community groups, networks and people to work together for the best of their neighbourhood. We have seen and experienced the power of empathy and compassion when we come together and support one another.

Our Neighbourhood Care Networks will help us retain this amazing but fragile green shoot of regeneration. As we experience further disruption the social fabric which holds us together has never been more important. Only together can we hold and support one another through the turbulence to come.

How technology is enabling compassion.

Since the beginning of the pandemic and the launch of the lockdown, the internet and social media has enabled thousands of individuals to form support groups and to respond quickly to calls for help. That so much community action has taken place by so many has been both humbling and heartening but, at the same time, there is concern that it has left some individuals exposed and potentially vulnerable on ‘open’ platforms with little digital protection. The Neighbourhood Care Networks, employs three digital platforms that are individually - and in combination - appropriate, efficient and secure:

WhatsApp: Some Neighbourhood Care Networks are using WhatsApp, where appropriate, to organise support around an individual. In one example, a WhatsApp group has been set up to support a resident with dog-walking: none of the individual’s details has been shared with anyone outside the group or without her consent. There is oversight, transparency and a sense of community enabling the volunteers to work together.

Many people are discovering how useful, important and enabling these technology platforms have proved to be. Working in combination, they have allowed POP+ to create an innovative digital infrastructure to care for people in a way that is safe and reliable; that makes rapid and appropriate connections and respects an individual’s privacy.

POP ideas helps channel a quarter of a million pounds of emergency funding into the city:

Twilio: POP+ is using Twilio to power phone lines that people, isolated at home, can text or call for support. When someone contacts the phone line, Twilio responds with a message which reassures them; lets them know their message has been received and informs them of the name of the person who will be returning their call. At the same time, their message is sent to the ‘on duty’ volunteer who, along with all other volunteers, has been recommended by someone already in the network.

Slack: a digital tool designed to help teams communicate. Each NCN has a space on POP+’s account that allows members, receiving requests for support from individuals-in-need, to coordinate a response with each other. It also enables network members to communicate the opportunities and challenges they are facing.

Furthermore, it allows people from different NCN’s to use Slack to interact with each other; access expertise; share information; discuss ideas and access useful resources.

Since the beginning of the lockdown POP ideas has been supporting more than eighty voluntary, community, social enterprise groups and organisations across the city with oneto-one advice on how they might survive the economic and social impact of the pandemic.

The team of advisors has been supporting more than twice as many groups and organisations than usual and spending twice as much time with their clients in their one-to-one sessions (via Zoom).

The expertise and input from the POP ideas team has helped to double the number of successful applications compared to this time last year and directly secure about £135,000 of funding since the 29th of March. At the same time, the team has been constantly promoting information from some of the country’s most significant funders, such as, the National Lottery, Sport England, the Arts Council and the RANK Foundation to its clients and flagging up opportunities for emergency funding. All this activity has helped to bring in about a quarter of a million pounds of funding to provide

Whitleigh Big Local.

Help line: 01752 875916 Nudge Community Builders, Stonehouse.

Help line: 07723 494413 STARS (Stoke Traders & Residents Association).

Help line: 07380 319128 The Hoe Neighbourhood Forum.

Help line: 077235 77305 Keyham Neighbourhood Watch.

Help line: 01752 563095 or 07780 711894

Daisies on the railway bridge at Garfield Terrace painted by STARS volunteers Zoe and Eilish with ‘Mike V’

much-needed financial support across the city’s voluntary and community sector. More than half of this has come from the Devon Community Fund with £162,897 of emergency money being awarded to forty-four charities and community projects across the city.

Imogen Potter, the Capacity Building Manager for POP ideas, says it has been troubling to hear how many of the city’s community projects are facing such uncertainty; without them, says Imogen, we all lose out: “So many of these organisations exist to help others, offering support, care and compassion to people most-in-need. It is imperative that we all - POP+, the City Council, the Government, local and national funding bodies - do as much as we all can to ensure they survive this time and are able to continue their work.”

One of those organisations supported by POP ideas is Plymouth Hope, which recently received £9800 from Devon Community Fund to help fund their Covid 19 response work and adapt their ongoing programmes to provide support online.

Plymouth Hope activity packs Food vouchers, activity packs for children, electronic devices and an increase in internet accessibility are just some of the critical support that Plymouth Hope has been able to provide.

It has also been able to continue its homeworksupport sessions for children, moving the service online, and lending devices to families where children are unable to participate for lack of equipment. The organisation has also set aside £2000 to support small groups that typically share a language (predominantly within the city’s communities of refugees and asylum seekers) that have been significantly affected by the lockdown.

More than forty clients of POP ideas have succeeded in their bids for emergency funding from the Devon Community Fund, including: Routeways Centre Ltd - received £1500 to provide activities offering respite during lockdown to families of young people with additional needs.

CHIL Plymouth (previously known as Community Health in Keyham) - been given £2000 to buy equipment and pay for staff & volunteers to support people facing mental health challenges.

Tectona Trust Ltd - £850 to provide remote support to members recovering from mental health & substance misuse.

Transforming Plymouth Together - £950 to share food, sports and experiences between communities in Plymouth as part of the Unifying Plymouth initiative.

August 2020 15

@PlymChronicle

Go the extra mile to support St Luke’s Following official safety advice relating to mass participation events during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the city’s best-loved charities has announced the cancellation of two of its flagship fundraising events for this year.

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is not letting lockdown restrictions dampen the community spirit of its many ardent supporters though.

Quite the reverse! Having made the difficult decision to cancel the popular Men’s Day Out and ladies’ Midnight Walk events, after previously hoping to just postpone - and recognising the disappointment this will bring to the thousands who had signed up to take part - it is inviting local men and women to create their own fundraising challenge instead.

Sponsorship money raised by those who sign up for the charity’s Make your own Midnight Walk event this summer, in collaboration with Nash & Co Solicitors (July 24 – August 31), will help ensure the muchloved charity can continue to provide bespoke end of life care for terminally ill patients at home, in hospital and at its specialist unit at Turnchapel, and support them and their loved ones during these turbulent times.

Whether participants choose to walk, jog or run, and whether they take on the challenge solo, with members of their household – children are welcome - or friends (including the four-legged variety!), their personalised event will be an opportunity to have fun – safely - in the great outdoors. For the many who look forward to taking part in Men’s Day Out and Midnight Walk as a tribute to their lost loves ones, it is also a chance to keep the memory of that special person alive and celebrate their life.

Penny Hannah, head of fundraising at St Luke’s, said: “Over the years, Men’s Day Out and our ladies’ Midnight Walk have become legendary in our city with thousands taking part. They’ve done us proud, highlighting the need for local hospice care and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to ensure our vital service continues.

“Cancelling both events for this year is disappointing for our supporters and us, but it’s the right thing to do to protect our community during the pandemic. It does mean though, that alternative ways of fundraising are key to our charity surviving in these uncertain times.

“That’s why we’re calling on existing supporters and new to sign up to Make your own Midnight Walk. Not only is registering easy and completely free of charge, there’s the flexibility to do everything from a gentle walk or jog to a full-on marathon distance.

Stay close to your own doorstep or head to a favourite destination, as long as it is safe to do so.

“What counts is taking part because it’s the sponsorship raised by sharing your JustGiving page with family, friends and neighbours that will help keep St Luke’s doing what we do best, being the professional comfort blanket our patients and their families need now more than ever.

“This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to have fun while doing good in their community, before we can all come together again for our mass participation events in safer times.”

To sign up and to get more information to Make your own Midnight Walk, visit www. stlukesmidnightwalk.co.uk Participants already signed up to Men’s Day Out or Midnight Walk have already been contacted by St Luke’s via email to explain the cancellation process.

St Luke’s is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely. The charity will contact each person who registers an event to ensure they are aware of the latest official advice relating to social distancing before their event takes place.

The popular Men’s Day Out fundraiser has been cancelled this year because of COVID-19

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16 August 2020

September opening for Plymouth arts cinema Plymouth Arts Cinema will reopen in September, following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While cinemas in England have been allowed to open since July 4, the majority of independent cinemas are planning a similar September opening. The summer months are traditionally quiet for independent cinema, and film availability has been impacted by the lockdown.

The team at Plymouth Arts Cinema are working to create a safe pathway to reopening on September 26, and create audience confidence to return to the cinema.

The cinema’s popular Open Air Cinema programme will not be taking place this year. The main venue, Plymouth’s iconic Tinside Lido, is not possible to use due to current restrictions but PAC look forward to bringing these successful events back in 2021.

The weekend of September 26 and 27 will be part of the Plymouth Art Weekender and the cinema will be screening ‘This Is Us,’ a free programme of short films on a drop in basis. The films will be a manifesto of what the independent

16 August 2020 cinema can and should be. This will include films to reflect the diversity of what the cinema offers.

In the absence of any income from ticket sales, months of successful fundraising from the PAC team during lockdown have taken the organisation much further towards safeguarding the cinema’s future sustainability.

Andrew Brewerton, chair of the board of trustees, said: “Plymouth Arts Cinema has a really strong following. It is great to see the level of support that we have received from all quarters. This includes Plymouth City Council, the British Film Institute, Plymouth College of Art, our suppliers, our sponsors Chris Kallis Solicitors, and our audience and membership via Crowdfunder and other donations.”

Plymouth Arts Cinema was awarded £15,000 emergency funding to help the organisation to survive the ongoing venue shutdown due to COVID-19, thanks to National Lottery funding.

A recent Crowdfunder campaign raised £5,126. This was supported

by Plymouth City Council and the City Change Fund, and included a Community Grant Funding Contribution of £200 on behalf of the St Peter & Waterfront Councillor Sue McDonald.

A total of £3600 of the money raised will be used to invite 300 of Plymouth’s key workers to a complimentary trip to the cinema, to thank them for their hard work during the crisis. The remaining amount will be invested into the cinema, helping to ensure the future stability of Plymouth Arts Cinema, an independent and iconic local organisation since 1947, and the growth of culture in Plymouth.

@PlymChronicle

Derriford medic embarks on a lifesaving challenge A Naval medic from Derriford Hospital is embarking on a monumental running challenge that he hopes will raise awareness of male suicides across the country.

Royal Navy medical assistant Luke Francis has set himself the goal of completing a staggering 692 miles around the streets of Plymouth symbolising the 692 young male lives taken too soon through suicide in 2018.

Luke has had personal experience of the feelings that young men have, who are contributing to the ever increasing statistics, so he wants to raise awareness of the growing problem before it’s too late.

“It has been evidently clear that male suicide rates are pretty high,” said Luke. “It’s the biggest killer of males between the age of 18 and 25. So, I want to spread word that ‘it’s okay not to be okay’ and men don’t have to adopt the normal British stiff upper lip.

“Another reason is that back at the start of 2017 I was close to being a statistic. I knew how, when and where I was going to take my own life and I was only a few hours away from doing it.

“However, with the incredible love and support from my good friends and family I’ve now seen the light at the end of the tunnel and made it through.

“So I’m dedicating the next 100 days of pain, misery and suffering to the guys that weren’t caught in time, because what I’m about to go through will simply be a fraction of pain that they were suffering from before they sadly took their own lives”.

He’s giving himself 100 days to complete the training and aims to finish in early October.

Luke continued: “I was brought up in and lived around Plymouth all my life, so I’m planning a series of runs around the city that will take in some of the landmarks and famous place we all know and love.

“100 days of running will be a challenge in itself, but with the help of others along the way I won’t be on my own and I’d like people to follow my journey, and get to know about the challenge I’ve set, and the cause I’m supporting.”

Luke Francis

Luke has set himself a target of raising £2,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity which supports service personnel and their families. At the time of going to press he had already raised nearly £1,200.

Luke’s Just Giving page is: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ luke-francis4?

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@PlymChronicle

UK tour of GREASE to open in Plymouth GREASE, the iconic musical, is coming to Plymouth next year.

The show was due to tour the UK and Ireland this year but had to be postponed due to COVID-19.

The 2021 tour will begin at Theatre Royal Plymouth, running from January 22 to 30 and will then visit Cardiff, Bristol, Edinburgh, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Dublin, Bradford, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bromley, Stoke-onTrent, Southampton, Belfast, Nottingham, Northampton, Manchester, Dartford, Canterbury, Carlisle and Birmingham.

Following his success starring in the UK and Ireland tour in 2019, Peter Andre will star in the 2021 tour at certain venues. As well as reprising the role of Teen Angel, Andre will also play Vince Fontaine. Further casting to be announced, including who will be playing the role of Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine when Peter Andre is not performing.

Peter Andre is currently scheduled to perform at certain performances in Plymouth, Cardiff, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Dublin, Liverpool, Bromley, Southampton, Nottingham, Manchester, Dartford, Canterbury and Birmingham. Customers are advised to check their local websites for specific dates.

Peter Andre said: “I was so thrilled to have been returning to Grease this year as I had the most wonderful time last year working with our incredible cast and creative team. Sadly, this year’s tour had to be postponed due to COVID-19 but I’m overjoyed that we can return in 2021. Grease is joyous and will truly allow you to escape to a different time, with show-stopping dance

routines and some of the most iconic songs of all time. It’s a show about solidarity and it celebrates friendship. As the song goes, We Go Together!”

GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical.

During the show’s eight-year run, at the time, little known actors including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere.

The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John is the fourth highest-grossing live action musical of all time and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.

GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and 2021 tour casting

by Kay Magson CDG, with original tour casting

by David Grindrod CDG. This new production of GREASE is produced by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, Playing Field, Hunter Arnold, Araca and Curve.

Website: greasethemusicalontour.com.

Tickets will be on sale soon from www. theatreroyal.com or by calling 01752 267222.

Peter Andre will appear in certain performances at Theatre Royal Plymouth

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COMMUNITY

JOB SHOP Advertise your vacancy FREE in Job Shop

Local businesses, voluntary groups, organisations, groups and individuals are invited to post their job vacancies in our Community Job Shop feature. This must be for part-time and voluntary jobs only and should contain no more than 50 words, including contact details. All you have to do is send the details via e-mail to info@cornerstonevision.com Deadline for each issue is first Monday of the month prior.

Please note that these vacancies were all posted prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone interested in one of the vacancies is advised to contact the organistion concerned and check to see if the post is still available.

GARDENING AT YMCA PLYMOUTH Volunteers wanted to help at our community garden at Honicknowle. All produce from the garden is destined for an emergency food provision charity. Can you help us please. A few hours here and there would be great.

Contact, Vic Hibbert, YMCA Plymouth on 01752 761004 or vic.h@ymcaplymouth.org.uk HEAD SPACE VOLUNTEER Head Space offers an out-of-hours service for people who consider that they are approaching a mental health crisis. The service aims to provide a non-clinical setting with a safe, calm and structured environment, where individuals can go to access peer support. Volunteers will work alongside staff to provide support in both group and 1:1 settings. We provide comprehensive training and support, and the opportunity to join a successful and likeminded team. All travel costs are covered and you will be able to develop new skills and experiences and have fun whilst helping make a difference To get involved contact us for an initial discussion T: 01752 563492 or visit www.colebrooksw.org/head-space/ HELP AT HOME COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSISTANTS Age UK Plymouth are recruiting Help at Home Community Support Assistants for domestic tasks/ shopping for clients. This is a zero hour contract at national minimum wage, mileage is paid. Please visit www.ageukplymouth.org.uk for full details and to complete an application form. Alternatively call on 01752 256020 for further details.

VOLUNTEERS Local charity Hearts Together is looking for willing volunteers with a little time to spare to help out at Derriford Hospital. If you can assist with general gardening, bed making and transport then we’d love to hear from you. The time you give to us can be totally flexible and we will cover your out of pocket expenses. Contact 01752 315900 or e-mail rachel@ heartstogether.org.uk. For more information go to www.heartstogether.org.uk ROYAL VOLUNTARY LIBRARY SERVICE Derriford Hospital needs help for the book trolley ward rounds weekdays between 10 am - 12 noon. If you are interested in the service and can spare the time, please contact Pat Hamilton on Thursdays 9.30 am - 3.30 pm on 01752 430880 for further information.

18 August 2020

All aboard the Plymouth Princess to Cawsand Plymouth Boat Trips has introduced a new, modern vessel to service the popular Cawsand Ferry route.

queues and provide additional space on board for social distancing.

The Plymouth Princess will carry passengers between Plymouth and the scenic Cornish beaches and villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. Loyal fans of the Weston Maid will be reassured to know that the Red Pig, as she’s affectionately known to locals, will continue to run alongside the Plymouth Princess.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, Plymouth Boat Trips introduced a range of measures to ensure safe travel on board, and increased fleet capacity comes as part of that effort. Running at peak times, the addition of a second boat will help prevent

Designed and built in Cornwall, for the Kingsbridge to Salcombe ferry operation, the Plymouth Princess will offer a smoother, faster journey and more space and comfort, with a seated top deck area, bar and toilet facilities on board.

Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, Ben Squire said: “We’re very excited to launch this cracking new boat onto the Cawsand run.

“The voyage itself is a wonderful day out and the Plymouth Princess will add another level of comfort and reassurance for customers, as we operate in the new normal.”

For more information, including timetables, visit www.plymouthboattrips. co.uk

£400,000 grant boost for Together for Childhood The Together for Childhood community partnership programme is set to benefit from a cash injection after the NSPCC in Plymouth was granted almost £400,000 for the initiative that aims to prevent child sexual abuse.

The children’s charity’s been awarded £389,284 from the National Lottery Community Fund, providing three years of funding to support with its community activity, reinforcing simple safeguarding messages in communities to build confidence in adults to protect children from abuse.

The money will help support more community members to get involved in the programme, which involves the NSPCC and around 30 partners in the city that includes voluntary groups and schools, as well as Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board, and Devon & Cornwall Police.

Community members, groups, and organisations will be able to bid for part of the funding to develop their own projects that will help keep children safe. The Together for Childhood team will be working with the Ernesettle Neighbourhood Forum to plan how the community funding is distributed.

“We think it’s important that people within the community are enabled to take action, and this pot of funding will make a huge difference, helping them to do that,” said Shelley Shaw, development and impact manager for the NSPCC.

VOLUNTEER DOG CUDDLERS WANTED Offer a short break to some of our pawsome dogs.

Due to high demand we are looking for dog lovers to have a doggy home board with them while their owners are away. You will be fully insured, licensed and supported 24/7 by us. One dog at a time, guest dogs come with everything they need and only at times to suit you. It’s the perfect way for retired people, work at home and stay at home parents with school age children to have a ‘part time pooch.’ You must have a secure garden. Please contact Jennifer or Carolyn to discuss. 01752 769453.

DISTRIBUTORS Cornerstone Vision, publishers of the Plymouth Chronicle, are looking for distributors, to help deliver leaflets across the city and surrounding area.

Transport an advantage, own phone number essential.

We are particularly looking for people to help cover Efford, Ernesettle, Saltash, Ivybridge and Torpoint, although other areas may be available. Please email chris.etherington@cornerstonevision.com or call 01752 225623.

@PlymChronicle

Laraine Jones was among those in the community who knitted pants for the programme

The community of Ernesettle is leading the NSPCC’s flagship Together for Childhood programme with organisations across Plymouth working with local residents to develop and test ways to best protect children. The Together for Childhood team provide the latest monthly update on its work to keep children safe from sexual abuse.

The Space Shot Youth Group have played an active part in the Together for Childhood programme

“Community members have been really supporting our efforts so far, and by attending community groups and arranging our own activities when it is safe to do so, we’ll be able to work more closely alongside them to better understand their needs and priorities and find out their ideas for helping to keep children safe.”

Sally Walker from Ernesettle Neighbourhood Forum said: “I am delighted that local community groups and residents will be at the heart of the decision making on where this money will be spent.”

The community has been involved in knitting pants as part of the programme’s Talk PANTS work, contributed to campaigns, and young people have been involved in work around healthy peer-to-peer relationships education.

Tom McCulloch, head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The National Lottery is playing a critical role in supporting people, projects and communities during these challenging times. Charities such as NSPCC are making an amazing contribution to the community-level response. We’re incredibly grateful for their dedication and the hard work of thousands of projects across the UK –

we’re humbled by their efforts and delighted that our funding is able to help.”

As part of a project called SUSTAIN, community members will also be supported to network and encouraged to explore how being connected to their community can help the neighbourhood come together to solve local problems or concerns.

Community members will also contribute to developing a plan for supporting Together for Childhood activity, with training provided to help them build their confidence and skills to do so.

Follow us on Twitter @TFCPlymouth or via the Together for Childhood Plymouth Facebook page.

If you want to find out more about Together for Childhood contact the NSPCC in Plymouth at Plymouth.Servicecentre@nspcc. org.uk or 01752 422577 or visit the NSPCC website.

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk Children can contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk 365 days a year, and speak to a counsellor about a worry or concern they may have.

@PlymChronicle

Plymouth teenager honoured with Diana Award for helping to protect the city’s children A Plymouth teenager has been honoured with a Diana Award for her contribution to the city’s Together for Childhood programme, which aims to prevent child sexual abuse.

Former Hele’s School student Tegan Tunnicliffe, 18, has been commended for her ongoing work helping to protect children and young people from harm at an online virtual ‘red carpet’ event, the first in the ceremony’s history.

Recalling the moment she found out about the award, Tegan said: “The first thing I did was ring my mum who was at work.

“We both found it hilarious until it actually sank in and I realised which Diana we were on about. I was extremely honoured to be nominated, let alone actually receive a Diana Award.”

Liam Payne, James McVey and Dame Emma Thompson were among the special guests and performers at the star-studded online event, which Tegan attended from home.

Tegan, who lives in West Park, will be attending Plymouth University from September. She has been involved since the very early stages of Together for Childhood, contributing to the neighbourhood selection process in which the pilot site area of Ernesettle was decided.

“Together for Childhood is extremely important in encouraging involvement within communities, which in turn encourages a range of voices and opinions,” said Tegan.“I believe this is extremely important in encouraging the voice of young people to create a generation of people who are comfortable to speak out and get involved within communities.”

Publicly launched in October 2018, the community-based partnership programme is reinforcing simple safeguarding messages in communities to build confidence in adults to protect children from abuse.

The NSPCC has teamed up with local residents, voluntary groups and schools, as well as Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board, and Devon & Cornwall Police to deliver the initiative.

Tegan is an active member of the programme’s youth participation group, EMPOWER, which has been exploring what healthy relationships mean to young people and evaluating Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) provision in schools.

NSPCC children’s service practitioner, Corinne Picton said: “Tegan co-created and codelivered sessions to teaching staff aimed at increasing their

Tegan attended the online ceremony with her pet sausage dog

“I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the adults who have given me a voice as a young person and given me the opportunity to speak and work around topics I am passionate about” TEGAN TUNNICLIFFE confidence in delivering RSE lessons. She was also involved in developing a quality assurance tool which could be used by schools to assess RSE teaching resources and lesson plans.

“This was based on the key messages young people wanted to give to schools about what made for good provision. This has been invaluable in preparing schools for when RSE becomes compulsory in September 2020.”

The group’s definition of what healthy relationships mean to young people has been adopted by the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership, and an education resource pack created by EMPOWER is now widely being used by professionals across the city to help with the delivery of RSE lessons.

The pack includes a powerful animation narrated by Tegan, which members of EMPOWER scripted and created with the

support of the NSPCC and Barnardo’s in Plymouth.

Tegan adds: “I hope that in having this project, more young people are given the opportunity and encouraged to get involved within the community as I’ve had the chance too. I think it is important for young people to be heard which I hope this project will encourage for more people as it has done for me.”

In addition to her work around healthy relationships, Tegan also facilitated a session for the National Citizenship Service (NCS), presenting to more than 500 peers on the topic of exploitation.

She co-created the session following a training session she attended with Devon and Cornwall Police about County Lines exploitation. She went onto work with the force on a campaign to raise awareness of child exploitation, which is currently in use across the city.

Corinne added: “Tegan’s ongoing involvement in Together for Childhood is a credit to a young person who is passionate about young people’s rights, and believes steadfastly in opportunities for young people to express their thoughts and opinions, and for the adults and professionals around them to listen, take seriously and act. I am delighted that she has been recognised with a Diana Award.”

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award is awarded retrospectively to young people aged between nine and 25 years old for their social action or humanitarian work.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the adults who have given me a voice as a young person and given me the opportunity to speak and work around topics I am passionate about,” said Tegan.

“I hope eventually I will be able to inspire other young people to get more involved within their communities and help them to realise that they can have a voice.”

The award ceremony is free to watch on The Diana Award YouTube Channel.

August 2020 19

RSPCA braces for summer surge in abandoned pets The RSPCA is bracing itself for a surge in abandoned animals and fears the fallout from the COVID-19 crisis could see more owners struggling to keep their pets.

Typically, the charity sees abandonment peak in the summer months. Between June and August 2019, 16,519 animals were reported abandoned to the RSPCA which accounts for 30% of all animals reported abandoned that year.

During the summer months the charity received 282 reports about dumped animals in Devon.

This included a poorly rabbit who was abandoned on a roadside last summer. Found in July (2019) the male rabbit (pictured) was missing all his fur on the underside of his body and legs, with sores and wounds.

RSPCA inspector Claire Ryder remembers: “This poor rabbit was in a very sorry state, it was unthinkable that someone chose to abandon him when he so clearly needed treatment.

“It was clear he had been allowed to suffer for some time, by the state he was in. All the fur on the underside of his body was missing because of the awful conditions he’d lived in.”

The RSPCA is braced for an even bigger impact this summer following the easing of lockdown and the financial impact on the coronavirus pandemic, and has launched an emergency appeal to continue its vital rescue work.

During the three months since lockdown began, the RSPCA has received reports about 3,492 abandoned animals* - about 40 calls a day - including 1,509 dogs, 1,165 cats, 299 small furries such as hamsters, guinea pigs and ferrets and 275 exotic pets.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “During lockdown we’ve seen pets become a source of comfort and support for people and it appears many people have taken on new animals. Fortunately during this time we’ve dealt with fewer abandoned pets however we are worried that as lockdown eases, people return to work, go on holidays or struggle financially we will be facing a massive surge of animal abandonments.

Dermot added: “Sadly summer tends to bring with it a surge in abandoned animals. We don’t know why but it may be a combination of the warmer weather making people feel less guilty about dumping a pet to fend for themselves and people doing away on holiday abandoning pets instead of arranging care for them.”

RSPCA rescue teams have been working throughout lockdown after being classified as essential key workers. The numbers of animals being cared for by the RSPCA has risen by more than 1,500 to 5,600 during the pandemic Dermot continued: “This is the toughest year yet for the RSPCA despite the huge challenges, our amazing teams have been continuing to rescue animals throughout this crisis.

“I’d urge anyone struggling with their pet to ask for help. Animals have been there to help us through the crisis, please don’t abandon them now.”

What people can do if they’re struggling to care for their pets: • Ask friends and family for help • Contact your vet about payment plans, discounts or vouchers for neutering or any other treatment needed • Get in touch with local rehoming charities for advice • Visit the RSPCA website at www.rspca.org.uk/ adviceandwelfare To help the RSPCA continue to rescue animals that have been abandoned this summer, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/abandonments

20 August 2020

20 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

Selfless kindness and compassion...

THE

By Chris Cole, founder of Cross Rhythms Charity

Experience It’s July 5 and I am writing this after Super Saturday or whatever phrase we use for acknowledging this day of independence from fifteen weeks of lockdown whilst recognising that COVID-19 has not yet been defeated.

So, is there any positive news about these unprecedented times? I believe there is, because life tends to challenge us on this adventurous journey of existence, from birth to death. With both some negative and positive experiences, whether we like it or not, we all must navigate the choices we are called to make in life.

So, after that existential preamble are you a glass half full or glass half empty type of person? Relevant with the pubs re-opening!

A very interesting comment was made today on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme

by Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS. He said that at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the NHS was concerned and preparing for around two million people requiring hospital treatment with perhaps a third of these patients possibly ending up in Intensive Care.

In absolute sensitivity to the families who have lost loved ones through this invisible

enemy, we can at least be grateful that it has not been worse in terms of the number of deaths.

Now the government has the painful task of addressing the economic fallout which Chris Cole we are now realising that it is going to be extremely challenging.

Certain sectors of the business community have been supported through the furlough scheme which is currently scheduled to finish at the end of October.

Of course, we live in the region where the hospitality sector has been decimated and so with care, we need to support our leisure industry whilst staying alert. I would suggest though that this COVID-19 disease is particularly a challenge for the older generation and would encourage younger members of the community to be sensitive to older family members and friends.

The one constant thing that has been obvious through these last weeks is the self-sacrifice of the NHS staff and many who

have volunteered with support and acts of kindness towards their fellow man.

Prince Charles’ statement about the NHS ‘remarkable selflessness’ on the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the NHS expressed what many of us felt. What motivates this kind of selfless kindness?

The parable of the Good Samaritan is told

by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It is about a Jewish traveller who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man.

Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveller. At this time in history, Samaritans and Jews despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man. Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to the question from a lawyer, ‘And who is my neighbour?’

In response, Jesus tells the parable, the conclusion of which is that the neighbour figure in the parable is the man who shows

mercy to the injured man—that is, the Samaritan. He then takes the injured soul to a local inn and tells the innkeeper to take care of the man and pays for the care of the injured traveller.

The story of the ‘Good Samaritan’ is often interpreted as the world and all its’ troubles being represented by the traveller who is beset on his or her journey by robbers, killers and thieves.

Jesus Himself is the Good Samaritan who tends the beaten up and robbed traveller with His care and healing and says to us all who can ‘open up with the spiritual or material resource gained through your own experience and influence’ to take care of this vulnerable person.

Jesus then tells us in the parable that he will support us as we take care of the traveller in our own ‘Inns of Care’. This is the fulfilment of the first and second commandment to ‘Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and the second is like it to love your neighbour as yourself.’

Well done to all who have shown the courage of true love in these challenging times.

Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

£40,000 grant for Improving Lives in Plymouth Improving Lives, the Plymouth-based charity, has been awarded a £40,000 grant by the Government.

Listen on 96.3FM or online at crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

The funding will allow the Improving Lives Veteran and Family Hub to provide ongoing support to veterans and their families through telephone and internet contact, including emerging additional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Improving Lives is one 100 charities which will benefit from over £5.5 million of extra funding to support serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer said: “We mark and give thanks to our veterans for the outstanding service which they have given to this country.

“To show our appreciation we’re advancing veterans issues across government, through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. I’m delighted as well to confirm extra funding for service charities to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “If it wasn’t for the brave servicemen and women who serve and protect our country, we would not have a United Kingdom to call our home.

“That’s why we must continue to do everything we can to support our veterans through these challenging times.”

General Sir John McColl, Chairman of the Confederation of Service Charities, said: “This emergency funding is a very welcome step towards sustaining life-saving support for those in need across the Armed Forces Community. The Service Charity Sector has once again demonstrated great imagination and determination in adapting its delivery methods during this crisis.”

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22 August 2020

Citizens Advice Plymouth issue warning over big rise in scams

Citizens Advice Plymouth are warning that over a third of British adults (36%) have been the target of a scam since lockdown began.

Polling conducted on behalf of Citizens Advice also showed that certain groups were at an increased risk of being contacted by a scammer, often those who could least afford it: - Of those with a disability or long-term illness, 45% said they had been targeted - Half (50%) of those at an increased risk of coronavirus or shielding had been contacted - Over half (54%) of those who have lost personal income due to the virus have also been contacted.

Jaroslava Hurtikova, research and campaigns Manager at Citizens Advice Plymouth said “Being at home doesn’t protect us from being targeted by scammers. We can all take steps to look out for ourselves and anyone who might be at risk of falling victim to a scam.”

If you’re worried you or someone you know is being scammed, here are some useful tips: • Look into installing a call blocker to help combat telephone scams • Talk to your or their bank immediately if there is any suspicious activity or transactions from their account or credit cards • Report the scam to Citizens Advice who will give you advice on what to do next and report the scam to Trading Standards • Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 • If you or someone you know is struggling to pay bills or outstanding debts Citizens Advice may be able to help Jaroslava said: “We see scams of all sorts and types, and no one group of people is immune from falling foul of the scammers. We all have a role to play in being scam aware and helping each other from not falling victim to this“ Take the following steps to safeguard yourself and others from scams: • Be suspicious if you’re contacted out of the blue, even if it’s from a name you recognise • If it sounds too good to be true it probably is • Never send money to someone you’ve never met • Never give out your bank details unless you are certain you can trust the person contacting you • Don’t be rushed – you never need to make a decision straight away and if you feel pressured say ‘no’ • Suspect a scam? Hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line or use another phone to call • Don’t suffer in silence – speak out about scams Citizens Advice Plymouth is urging anyone who thinks they may have been targeted by or has seen an online scam to report it to its Scams Action service, either online or on 0808 250 5050.

For in-person, mail and telephone scams, concerned consumers can report issues to the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.

Citizens Advice will give advice on what to do next and report the scam to Trading Standards.

Your guide to community events in your area

In view of the current coronavirus lockdown measures we have held over the usual Community Directory listings as most if not all the events/meetings will not be taking place Your guide to community events in your area

22 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

Clip ‘n Climb open for business again Clip ‘n Climb in Derriford has opened for business again after being closed since March.

The popular centre in Brest Road offers more than 40 indoor climbing lines and is popular with families and people of all ages.

The team at Clip ‘n Climb had spent several weeks preparing for the re-opening, working hard behind the scenes to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment so that customers could climb with confidence.

Manager Michelle Perrin said: “It’s been a challenging three months, but thanks to our collective effort and the support of Clip ‘n Climb International and our staff, we have been able to welcome back our customers, so that they can enjoy family time together doing something they love, with all the right precautions in place.”

Following government guidelines hand sanitiser is available throughout the centre for customers to use after every climb, while the centre staff regularly clean all touch surfaces throughout the day.

Session sizes have be reduced to make it easier for everyone to keep a safe distance and staff wear appropriate PPE. Customers are welcome to take their own face covering if they wish to do so.

Pre-booking is now essential as are contactless payments.

Michelle added: “As always, the safety of our customers and staff is our top priority and we will continue to follow Government guidelines to make any necessary alterations.”

For bookings or more information visit www. plymouthclipnclimb

Remote hospital appointments are miles better

Thousands of miles in car journeys have been slashed in Plymouth and Devon, as an added bonus of hospital appointments carried out by telephone or video.

Patients who responded to a survey at one local trust alone reported a total of 9,000 fewer miles and saving many frustrating hours on the county’s roads and in hospital car parks as they broadly praised the experience of seeing their hospital team or consultant from their own home.

Those who still needed to attend hospital said that their appointments felt safe and well organised. Even before the arrival of COVID-19, Devon was leading the way in linking patients with their doctors online to improve efficiency and personalised care.

Now remote clinics are being used by many specialties, allowing people to see a specialist promptly, safely and without having to travel to hospital.

Thousands of appointments already take place this way every week in Devon, saving travel time and costs and supporting social distancing.

At University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, more than 150 members of clinical teams have undertaken 3,456 video consultations since April.

A further 93,062 have taken place by telephone. Mental health providers Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest are also offering services remotely where possible, while continuing to offer face to face appointments where necessary and in line with PPE and other guidance.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s medical director, Dr David Somerfield, said: “Mental health providers have been at the forefront of delivering virtual consultations with patients since the onset of the pandemic. More than 100,000 mental health consultations have been conducted with people right across the south west since late March.”

A spokesperson for Livewell Southwest said: “Livewell Southwest has delivered more than 6,500 virtual consultations via our Livewell Connect app and platform since March, which has allowed us to continue to support people with their health and social care needs. “This has been used successfully by a number of our services and teams including our dental access service, the wellbeing team and our First Response Service. “Our 24/7 First Response Service supports those over 18 in Plymouth experiencing a mental health crisis, and has had more than 4,000 calls since launching in May.”

Mums in Singathon raise over £1000 for MIND Local community interest company, Soul Singers CIC has joined together with its community of mums to take part in a 12 hour Singathon, raising £1085 for Devon Mind.

As a result of lockdown many more people are suffering with mental health conditions and postnatal depression has increased by at least a third. The group, who meet regularly to sing for fun and to improve mental wellbeing, decided they wanted to do something to help others.

Sam, one of the group members said: “My mental health has continued to improve with Soul Singers help which has been a lifeline for me during a very hard time and I hate to think of anyone going through such difficulties alone, particularly mums.

“As a group of mums, we felt passionately about this and wanted to take action. Doing a Singathon made perfect sense! Singing is one of the things that unites these mums together and given that singing has so many health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and reducing signs and symptoms of postnatal depression it seemed like the

right challenge for them to raise money for MIND.” There was a special guest appearance on their Facebook page from Plymouth born tenor, David Webb who commented: “I’m so proud of what Soul Singers are doing to raise money for MIND. I’ve very publicly acknowledged my own journey with depression, suicide and mental health as well as my personal link with MIND, so to be involved, albeit in a very small way, is a real honour for me.

MJ Saunders, Soul Singers CIC director, explaining the thinking behind the event said: “The voice is really important. If you are battling a mental illness sometimes you feel like you’ve lost your voice or that you aren’t heard.

By doing the Singathon our voices were heard and someone was always listening,” Soul Singers CIC moved their singing sessions online at the start of lockdown and also introduced a coffee and chat for a mums and toddler sing along. All of these are funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and Devon Community Fund and are free to attend. For details visit the Facebook page: Soul Singers CIC

USEFUL Mental performance expert to professional NUMBERS August 2020

@PlymChronicle

23

footballers moves to Plymouth Science Park A mental performance expert who helps professional footballers perform at peak level consistently has moved his business to Plymouth Science Park in Derriford.

Mark Bowden, who runs Top Form Global, is one of the most trusted mental performance experts in the modern game and the best-selling author of ‘Use Your Brain, Raise Your Game’. He helps professional footballers to effectively train and condition their thoughts and behaviours, enabling them to perform consistently on the pitch.

Mark explained: “It still surprises me that even at the highest levels in football, players are not given the resources to condition their brains. Top clubs have incredible sports science facilities to help players’ bodies to perform at their very best. However, the control centre - the brain - is often overlooked. Top Form Global provides the resources needed for players to train their brains.

“The move to Plymouth Science Park comes as the business continues to expand and as we work on new resources for our clients including an online training programme. We’re looking forward to being surrounded by dynamic businesses and like-minded people based at Plymouth Science Park, who are striving to take their businesses forward and make an impact in their field.”

Plymouth Argyle footballer and client of Top Form Global, Conor Grant said: “Mark has been

Mark Bowden

brilliant to work with. He is very knowledgeable in his work and we have covered a lot of things in a short space of time, he has opened my eyes to new techniques and perspectives which have helped me on and off the pitch”.

Mark takes the most cutting edge approaches from psychology, neuroscience and other areas and provide them to players in an easy to use and

inspiring way that gets results.

Just like the modern day football player, he is used to working in highly pressurised environments where there is a requirement to perform to a very high level.

He spent 10 years as a covert operative with some of the UKs most elite law enforcement agencies, such as the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Crime Agency. There he led operations on the ground and helped to get the best out of his teams to get results.

He brings together his background with his studies in psychology (as Part of a BSc & MSc in Criminology), neuro linguistic programming, solution focused therapy and solution focused hypnotherapy. He combines this with his experience of working with players at the highest levels of the game to provide an approach that gets excellent results for the players that he works with.

Business development manager at Plymouth Science Park, Fay Davies said: “Top Form Global have identified that it is often not sporting ability holding people back, but their mindset. We are delighted to welcome Mark Bowden to the park and look forward to watching the business continue to expand and offer more products and services to professional players.”

...and there’s expansion for IT company at the Park as business booms during COVID crisis An increased demand for IT support services has led to significant growth for a Plymouth-based IT support company.

As a result of the growth in business, Acronyms, which is based at Plymouth Science Park in Derriford has expanded its office space to support the increased demand and to enable appropriate social distancing.

Business development director, Tom Moore says that additional desk space will be used for planned recruitment over the next few months, and that the company’s staff will benefit from a larger space for collaborative working, whilst following post-lockdown Coronavirus guidance.

Acronyms has worked throughout the pandemic to support their clients, which include care homes, charities and medical suppliers. Plymouth Science Park provided Acronyms with the space and facilities to follow social distancing guidance, so that they could remain in their offices, which they found was more efficient for problem solving and knowledge sharing, especially when working under extra pressure. At the company’s busiest point during the pandemic, they saw fielded calls increase by 260% from the typical average.

Tom said: “Plymouth Science Park has always helped us to help our clients, and throughout the pandemic has allowed us to maintain business as normal, so that we could keep many businesses operational during a time of uncertainty and upheaval. They’ve supported us further by making sure that we have the room required to grow, whilst demand for IT support is still high.

“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to

A survey by Run Plymouth also found that almost half of all participating runners would not feel safe taking part in the event on its originally scheduled date of October 4 - having already

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Derriford Hospital 01752 202082 Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105 Gas, Wales & West Utilities 0800 111999 Water, South West Water 0344 3462020 Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Helplines

Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Crossline Listening Service 0300 111 0101 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Action 01752 651800 Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stop Hate Crime 24/7 Helpline 0800 138 1625 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980

Travel

RAC Green Flag Rail Travel, national enquiries Plymouth Citybus National Express Coaches Brittany Ferries Cremyll Ferry Torpoint Ferry Tourist Information Passport Office, National Helpline

08000 828282 0800 400600 08457 484950 01752 662271 08717 818181 08705 360360 01752 822105 01752 812233 01752 266030 0870 5210410

Entertainment Theatre Royal 01752 267222 Barbican Theatre 01752 267131 Devonport Playhouse 01752 606507 Plymouth Athenaeum Theatre 01752 266079 Plymouth Pavilions 01752 936363 Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store 03337 727727 Cineworld 03303 33444 Vue Cinema 0345 308 4620 Tourist Information 01752 306330 National Trust Saltram 01752 333500 Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery 01752 304774 Plymouth Arts Centre 01752 206114

Leisure expand at the Park as it will allow us to recruit throughout the remainder of 2020, as we continue to support businesses during these tricky times.”

Plymouth Science Park business development manager, Fay Davies commented: “We are delighted to be working with Acronyms as they continue to grow and provide a vital service for a range of businesses during these challenging times. The collaborative and flexible approach at Plymouth Science Park has enabled them to develop their business and to expand their

office space with limited disruption to day to day operations and we’re looking forward to watching them as they continue to thrive.”

Acronyms provide businesses with IT support in the form of an outsourced help desk, alongside a range of associated products and services including unified communications, internet connectivity and disaster recovery solutions. The business has been in operation since 2003 and currently employs 22 staff. Visit: www.acronyms. co.uk

PLYMOUTH HALF MARATHON POSTPONED AGAIN - UNTIL MAY 2021 Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival, which includes the Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, has been postponed to May next year because of the COVID-19 crisis and the need for social distancing which would affect the races.

Emergency Numbers

been postponed from May this year. The races will now take place on Sunday May 16 2021.

Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, Pete Smith, said: “We understand this is disappointing news for everyone who was due to take part.

Our running series is incredibly popular and it provides huge economic benefits for the city, so this is not a decision that has been taken lightly - but the safety of runners, spectators and staff is our absolute priority.”

David Williams, director of Run Plymouth,

said: “We have explored a number of options but we’re passionate about the quality of our events and feel that the new guidelines would have negatively affected the experience of everyone taking part. We’re looking forward to returning in 2021 with another brilliant event for runners of all ages and abilities.”

All participating runners have been contacted by email and will be able to defer their entries to next year. For updates about next year’s events, visit www.runplymouth.co.uk.

Plymouth Life Centre 01752 606900 Brickfields Recreation Ground 01752 563320 Manadon Football Dev’ment Centre 01752 201918 Plympton Swimming Pool 0870 300 0020 Plymouth Pavilions 0845 146 1460 Megabowl, Coxside 0871 5501010 Tourist Information 01752 306330 The Beckly Centre, Plymstock 01752 484433

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If you think your organisation would benefit from being listed in our Useful Numbers guide please e-mail your details to info@cornerstonevision.com or write to: Plymouth Chronicle, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth Tel 01752 225623

Please note that whilst the Publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of telephone numbers in this Directory, and dates in the What’s On section, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors.

24 August 2020

@PlymChronicle

‘Resurgam’ programme rises to challenge of reviving economy Keeping the pounds in Plymouth, skills development and a pipeline of construction that will keep people in work during a critical time for the city’s economy - those are the first projects under the spotlight as part of Resurgam - the city’s economic response to the challenges presented by COVID-19.

That’s just the start. Six key delivery pillars have been identified through the Resurgam progamme. They are: Sector action plans: individual action plans to support recovery and growth for each of the city’s 13 key economic sectors: retail, defence, health tech, health and care, marine, manufacturing, digital, creative industries, tourism and hospitality, arts entertainment and recreation, construction and built environment, transport and distribution and fishing.

Build 4 Plymouth: Planned and new council

The Derriford and North Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Ernesettle, West Park, Honicknowle, Austin Farm, Crownhill, Manadon, Whitleigh, Southway, Derriford, Estover, Mainstone and Leigham.

Depending on the situation regarding the coronavirus, the September edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Derriford and North Plymouth will be published on Sept 4 with a

copy deadline of August 24.

The Derriford and North edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city.

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A new app has been launch ed featuring self-guided history trails around the city See page 13

COVID UP DATE See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Counc il Pages 2 to 6

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Plymouth’s popular Clip business ‘n Climb centre after being in Derriford closed has follow is back in ed Government for four month s. The attrac enjoyable guidelines environment tion for custom to provide a safe and ers of all ages • See story on page 22

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St Luke’s Hospic e are appeal ing supporters for to the extra mile’ ‘go to raise funds for its vital work See page 17

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Plymouth ’s Clip ‘n Climb is back!

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Resurgam is Latin for ‘I shall rise again’ and the word became part of Plymouth’s history when it appeared on a wooden sign over the bombed out St Andrew’s Church during the Blitz

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difference in the longer term.

As emergency economic responder, the council has already given direct, practical help to Plymouth businesses through administering business grant support - that’s 4,043 businesses helped, £46.9 million paid out in grants and 3,400 helpline calls taken.

Services like routine vaccinations and smear tests are now being offered, in addition to usual weekday GP appointments which can be held by phone, online or face-to-face.

Many people are surprised to know that GP services are fully available. Here’s how it works: 1. If you need to see a GP, contact them online via their website, or by phone 2. You will be offered a telephone, online or video consultation 3. Your GP may suggest you have a face-to-face appointment in the practice 4. If you do need to visit for an appointment, your practice will tell you everything you need to know when you come and what measures are in place to keep you safe 5. If your GP thinks you need to be referred to hospital for review or treatment, they will arrange this 6. If you are given an appointment, it’s really important to attend The NHS in Plymouth and the rest of Devon has pioneered essential new ways of working that have kept key services operating and, thanks to the efforts of staff, volunteers and the local community, kept the number of COVID-19 cases among the lowest in the country.

Many innovations have brought improvements that are here to stay – such as easy online appointments with GPs and hospital teams – nearly 45,000 consultations have already taken place this way and brought positive feedback from patients.

Now there are new challenges to ensure that Devon stays vigilant and ready for any future outbreaks.

Some services are being run from different locations so patients may be asked to attend at new venues – it is very important to keep these appointments which are designed to ensure the best possible care and treatment in the right place.

Anyone already on a waiting list will be contacted about what happens next and the likely timeline in which to be seen. Patients may be offered a video consultation for either a first or follow-up appointment. Services are working hard to provide more appointments for those facing longer waits and those at higher risk, particularly in mental health, where demands are increasing.

Those with symptoms that could be due to cancer will continue to be referred for an urgent assessment with the aim to be seen within two weeks. It may be necessary to travel to a different location than usual.

Hospitals and GP practices across the county have put in place special measures to protect patients and staff from COVID-19, whether they are treating a patient with symptoms of the virus, or for other illnesses. In many cases those affected by the virus are being seen in separate areas.

Patients needing urgent or emergency treatment throughout the COVID-19 outbreak have continued to receive it and other services are resuming, including diagnostics and surgery, so people are being urged to keep all appointments, wherever they are asked to attend.

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Council leader Tudor Evans: ‘We need to do all we can to look after our own businesses and support them in the aftermath of the pandemic’

More and more people in Plymouth are seeing their GPs as services continue to adapt to keep people safe from coronavirus.

R ey sel Wol

The Council’s Cabinet has been given its first update of Resurgam - a plan to reduce the impact of Covid-19 and to deliver a more equal, sustainable and prosperous city.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “We need to do all we can to look after our own businesses and to support them in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This programme is about seeing what we as a council can do to protect jobs in our city and helping our residents.

“These are practical measures that could make a difference to thousands of families.

“We’ve set a target of increasing by 10 per cent any spend on Plymouth goods or services.

“In the next few weeks we will launch our Skills Launchpad, so that those who find themselves out of work can get all the advice the city and its partners offer in one place and we will start or restart our big building projects, which will safeguard thousands of jobs. This is just the start.”

The council has reviewed its procurement process to maximise opportunities for local businesses and has set a target to increase spending with local suppliers by 10 per cent.

Over two years this will secure 280 jobs and keep an extra £8.2 million GVA in the local economy.

It has jump-started a building programme which will provide a critical and steady supply of jobs, contracts and opportunities for local companies and contractors.

The programme will see major road improvements on key routes to major employment areas as well as new homes and new business space.

It is working with the Department of Work and Pensions and the business sector to create an online one stop shop for people facing redundancy as well as more targeted support for young people through a new youth hub.

This will provide information, advice, real-time labour market intelligence, and match real opportunities to pathways into employment, apprenticeships and traineeships, work experience, training, education, volunteering and selfemployment.

The Resurgam programme was announced in May in response to the lockdown and its economic impact. Since then teams have been ‘on it’, providing extra support to businesses in the short term, as well as looking at where they could make a real

projects which are designed to stimulate growth for the city and its economy.

As well as creating hundreds of construction jobs, the projects aim to create opportunity. The projects cover transport, infrastructure, commercial property, housing and regeneration and as well as looking to speed up delivery, the council will lobby Government for funding Spend 4 Plymouth: Improving procurement processes to make sure the council spends as much as it can on Plymouth goods and services so that the city gets the most out of council contracts.

The aim is to increase current local spend by 10 per cent, maximising opportunities for the local supply chain, delivering social value through supporting local jobs and skills, looking after the environment and supporting communities.

Skills Launchpad Plymouth: An emergency taskforce to support Plymouth people facing redundancy. This includes targeted support for young people and school leavers whose plans and opportunities have been affected

by Covid-19. We will plan and prepare for future skills demands to identify the skills needed and to equip local people into employment.

City centre renaissance: Support for businesses to reopen and driving footfall through marketing campaigns. Making vacant units available for use, to improve public realm and encourage regeneration of our city centre.

Recovery Beacons: Three core areas have been identified as beacons for recovery; Marine, Green and Culture. This is an opportunity to kick-start our Green economy, a focus on new jobs, skills and future talent, and support our ambitions for a greener city.

We will also use our marine credentials and strengths at Oceansgate, the dockyard and our incredible marine learning and research facilities to harness growth opportunities and create jobs for our blue economy. And we will also use The Box and the Mayflower programme as a springboard for cultural, leisure and tourism industries.

CEO of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Stuart Elford said: “We fully support the Resurgam plan for Plymouth and are pleased to have worked alongside the City Council to develop it, ensuring that it is supportive of and relevant to our businesses that will lead the economic recovery.

“The council has worked tirelessly to deliver immediate and extensive support to businesses in the area and this plan sets out the next phase as we not just survive but thrive as we come out of the COVID crisis.

“We will continue to work with the council in this powerful public and private partnership to ensure its successful delivery.”

It’s easy now to see your GP: Six things you need to know

lD r

24 August 2020