In Touch with Bramford May 2020

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In Touch

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with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Volume 10 • Issue No. 8 • JUNE 2020

Image by Caroline Wolton


CORONAVIRUS

STAY ALERT

TO STAY SAFE Keep a safe distance from others Stay home as much as possible Keep washing your hands regularly

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Transport hubs_A4 posters_Full colour.indd 1

11/05/2020 18:12

In Touch online:


A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Jack, my 10-year-old, asked me earlier what I miss most since we’ve been in lockdown. After much thought, I decided the one thing I genuinely miss more than anything else is the physical company of others. I’m working from home and attempting to home school, most days it’s just Jack and I, alone together all day long. We have good days, days when we’re full of energy and ideas, when he’s happily doing ‘stuff’ while I work, when we complete an entire activity sheet without arguing (I swear if I hear him say “that’s not how we do it at school” one more time I will throw my Carol Vorderman maths guide out the window), days when the sun is shining and anything seems possible, except freedom! On bad days, and there have been a few, we’re grumpy with each from the word go! We’re tetchy, anxious, quick to tears (yes, both of us) and I get interrupted more frequently because Jack can’t settle at anything for more than five minutes. Bad days are long. Very, very long! On bad days I try to put my worries and irritations aside to focus on getting him through the day in one piece! We’ve managed so far but it’s hard keeping so many balls in the air and I’m not embarrassed to admit I’ve dropped a few. Now back to my original point. I’ve been on Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and goodness knows what else in recent weeks. I’ve spent time with cousins as far away as New York and Australia. I’ve seen the inside of houses I’ve never been in before and even attended a funeral. Technology is amazing and I honestly can’t imagine how we would have coped without it. However, I long to be in the company of others, to sit with a friend when we chat, to hug my mum and dad, to celebrate my nephew’s graduation down the pub... I’d even like to see my work colleagues face-to-face! I know this will end and in time it will become a not-so-happy distant memory. TV shows have already been made but I’m sure there will be many more, movies and novels too. Perhaps we will be more resilient when we emerge on the other side. Perhaps, and I hope this is the case, we will appreciate the

value of physical connection, both in terms of ‘how’ we spend our time and ‘where’ we spend it. Sharing a sense of place with those who are physically closest to us, supporting and being supported by our local community, using our spending power to sustain the local economy… well it all makes perfect sense now. We really are stronger together. I realise my lockdown experience has, thankfully, been healthy and relatively stress free. I wish it was the same for everyone so to those of you who have experienced loss, illness, unbearable stress or simply had far, far too many bad days, I hope you know you’re not alone and that you can reach out for help. This edition includes information provided by several charities and organisations offering support and guidance. Perhaps you will find someone to help you if you are struggling. If you’d like to share your lockdown experience, good and bad, please send your stories and images to me. Let’s make the next edition a celebration of what has been achieved within our local communities, of the people who have led the way and those who have gone above and beyond to help others. I’ve been really impressed by the way in which simple ideas have taken off. Rainbow posters in windows, teddies waving from window sills, thank you notes on bins, jam-packed boredom boxes for elderly residents... not to mention the creative and caring ways in which local businesses have stepped up to meet current need. If you visit our website you can read about the plumbing and heating companies providing free oil level checks for the vulnerable, the bakery delivering more than 300 free loaves a week to the vulnerable and elderly, the taxi company giving a 10% discount to essential workers... We have so much to be grateful for. To everyone who has helped in any way, we say thank you, well done and stay safe. I’ll end with another Irish phrase, “Go raibh míle maith agat”, which literally translates as: “May you have a thousand good things”. Sharon

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall

www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk Instagram: mansionhousepublishing Twitter: @InTouchEast Facebook: Mansion House Publishing Find out how Mansion House Publishing has Adapted to Life Under Lockdown on page 5.

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Wednesday 10 June is the advertising and editorial deadline for the July edition

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

GIPPING VALLEY COUNTY & BLAKENHAM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN FIELD, MAY 2020 Council Status The pandemic clearly requires a change in where and how we work. Essentially, all council staff are working from home and almost all work is online. The overall response to the pandemic is managed through the emergency response structure with a number of management ‘cells’ looking after a specific service area. County, district and other agency staff are working together: some have been re-deployed to teams where demand is high. Officers have risen to the Covid-19 challenge; senior staff have a grip on their areas, a command of their subjects and are doing a good job. There are some services where it is difficult to be sure what issues exist and why. The spread of the virus in care homes is such an area, but action to put the necessary testing in place has been taken. We are told that residents leaving hospital are now assumed to have the virus and are isolated until testing proves otherwise. The government has reported the number of care homes which have suffered Covid-19 outbreaks. In Mid Suffolk it is 55%. There were some 91 deaths in care homes across the county between April 4 and May 1. When Scrutiny looks at the quality of the Covid-19 response, we will examine these numbers and make comparisons.

switched online. Now it’s legal to hold meetings online we are functional again. We held the first online Scrutiny meeting on Tuesday 12 May. Online meetings appear to work well, certainly briefings and pre-meetings do. You will be able to participate in public meetings via the system we are using, Microsoft Teams Live. The link will be published on the committee agenda. Walking and Cycling Walking and cycling are vital for exercise and a safe way to get to work. To ensure that residents can exercise safely and maintain social distancing, my group are encouraging the council to close roads that are used by walkers and cyclists to get their daily exercise. It has responded by closing Ipswich Waterfront to through-traffic for three weeks. Government grants are available for these actions and as I wrote this Grant Shapps was extolling the virtues of such action and of cycling and walking to work. If you have suggestions for roads that could benefit from a closure, please let me know and I will pass it on to the Cabinet member.

The take up of school places for children of essential workers and those from disadvantaged families is low. That is a concern and the Children and Young People Service is trying to establish if the numbers can be improved. The latest government and SCC advice is available online.

District During this period no one will be evicted for not paying Council Tax or rent to Mid Suffolk and the Communities team is giving help wherever it is needed. Families struggling with financial hardship are to be given further support to reduce Council Tax bills, with letters due to more than 4,000 households in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Council Meetings in the Covid-19 Era Committee meetings ceased when lockdown commenced but briefings

If you have any queries, please ring 07545 423808 or email: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY

The June edition already! When I was writing about protecting your property back in the winter, little did we know where we would be right now.

Tours of the facility Any public tours cancelled at the energy-from-waste facility due to restrictions as a result of COVID-19 will be rescheduled once tours have resumed. We will not be making any more bookings until it is practical to do so. However, if you would like to visit the facility in the future, please get in contact via the contact details below and we will add you to our waiting list.

First and foremost, I hope you are all keeping safe and well. These unprecedented times are a real test for many of us. I won’t talk about it too much as I think things may have changed in relation to lockdown rules by the time this is published. But the message is still the same and to please keep safe. All information on this can be found on the Gov.uk website. Locally, sadly crime is still happening. We recently highlighted property security on Facebook Live from Hadleigh and sadly thefts are still occurring. While many people are working at home, home schooling or self-isolating, please remember to still keep your property secure and safe. There are still those criminals who will take advantage of any situation. There has also been quite a lot of social media put out by Trading Standards and the police about scams that are taking place during this time. Please keep up to date with this information by looking at Hadleigh Police on Twitter and Facebook where relevant updates are posted. Suffolk Trading Standards are also posting on these platforms about scams. To keep connected with what’s going on in your area, sign up to Police Connect, a free service where incidents such as shed breaks in your area, are highlighted, which allows you to be more vigilant. You can register online at: Suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect

Thank you to our key workers The team at the energy-from-waste facility would like to say a huge thank you to all the key workers out there keeping the country running during these unprecedented times. Whileour doors may be temporarily closed to the public, we are still working hard behind the scenes, generating electricity from household waste in Suffolk. We are looking forward to the hopefully not too distant future when are able to welcome schools, clubs and other members of the community back to the facility. Any questions? If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact us: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01934 524013

You can report a number of non-urgent crimes via our website: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us You can also call the police on 101 to report crimes and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. In an emergency, always call 999. Community Engagement Officer PC 287 Sarah George E: CEOipwesthadleigh@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

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In Touch online:


ADAPTING TO LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN We operate on a simple premise here at Mansion House Publishing: supported by income from advertising, we produce, print and deliver 70,000+ free magazines every month. However, it’s the principle by which we operate which has sustained us and our customers in recent months and enabled us to carry on doing what we do in a challenging marketplace. Our business is built on and around ‘community’. We work with communities in each publication area to publish relevant content and we’re passionate about local business, local events, local charities... everything local in fact! At a time when local news and a supportive mechanism to sustain local business has never been needed more, we put our shoulders to the wheel and got on with the task. Of course we were inspired by you. With local support groups forming almost overnight and businesses adapting their offer or the ways in which they work, we simply had to step up by doing what we do, providing information, maintaining communication between readers and business, and providing continuity and reassurance when normality ceased to exist. How we’ve adapted We’ve had to adapt too, but it’s been a constructive experience, as well as a massive learning curve. Until we feel it’s safe for our delivery teams to work again, we are publishing magazines online. We’ve always done so but it’s not something we’ve promoted heavily. It is now and we’ve worked hard to direct readers to our website where, in addition to their regular monthly edition, they discover a whole lot more. Of course the added benefit of using social media and the internet more effectively, and this is universally acknowledged, is the ability to share information quickly, within seconds in fact! We’ve been working with support groups, doctor’s surgeries, food delivery outlets and businesses providing a range of in-demand services to do so and it’s been extremely effective for all concerned. Our new online Business Directory

Adding your company to the directory is free with several enhancements available to help you make the most of your listing. Just go to www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/business-directory-plans choose the best plan for your business.

to

“Our readers know it’s critical to support the local economy but with so many working from home it’s difficult to know who is open,” explains our sales manager, Daren Stainton. “As this is an entirely new directory, readers can be confident it’s up to date and that every business listed is open and able to respond right now. That’s very reassuring.” Social Media Our social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – have never been so busy, Facebook especially. Even those of us who haven’t used Facebook very effectively in the past, have come to appreciate it’s value both in terms of sharing information and interacting with others. The ability to interact, to engage with and share content which we know others will appreciate, and to do so quickly from just about anywhere, is incredibly liberating for users and provides a vital connection for just about everyone. We’ve devised digital campaigns for several advertisers with company profiles shared on social media and linking to our online directory. This has worked well for MP Plumbing & Heating, Avenue Taxis and Ashtons Legal, amongst others, so if your business is offering much-needed services or has adapted how it operates in some way and you want to let your customers know, give us a call. Online magazines attracting more readers We know many of you miss having a printed magazine, but it’s pleasing to see that the number of people reading the online editions is increasing steadily. It’s particularly pleasing to see how long you spend reading, which suggests we’ve managed to get the right mix of content. I know the Brain Teasers page in last month’s edition was particularly popular. One of our care home advertisers even asked for it as separate document so he could circulate it to residents. Richard Hartley from Poetry Plus in Manningtree wrote to congratulate us on last month’s electronic version and said he was particularly impressed by the way the pages flick over when you “turn the page”. Please note that it is possible to download a PDF if who’d rather read it in ‘document’ format or even want to print it out. We’ve had wonderful feedback from many, many people which will help sustain us going forward. Who doesn’t like a little praise now and again! It seems our efforts to be there alongside our readers and advertisers as we deal with unprecedented challenges is appreciated and is, in itself, another mark of how strong we are together. Join us on social media, visit the website to read the latest edition and if you run a local business, get in touch to discuss how we can work with you to enhance your profile and grow your customer base to meet the challenges which inevitably lie ahead.

Our digital offer, both in terms of editorial content and marketing options, has developed at the speed of light. In addition to dedicated web pages for each publication, we have created a digital directory to enable our readers and visitors to identify local businesses which are open.

We’re confident about the future and we’ll be with you every step of the way as we move slowly towards normality. Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay In Touch.

Mansion House Publishing is part of Mansion House Group which means we can offer a range of additional services including print and office supplies, with both companies continuing to operate and deliver. For office supplies go to www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk where you can order online. For print go to: www.colourplan.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

STICK WITH IT SUFFOLK: CONTINUE SLOWING THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS Suffolk residents are being asked to continue their great efforts, which are successfully reducing the spread of COVID-19.

People are asked to share their stories and how they are managing to stick with it, using the hashtag #StickWithItSuffolk on social media.

Stick With It Suffolk launching on Monday 18 May 2020, highlighting what we must all continue doing, to keep each other safe and to defeat the virus.

Stuart Keeble, Suffolk Director of Public Health, said:

Recent data shows that around one in 600 people in Suffolk have tested positive for COVID-19, which compares favourably to Norfolk, Essex and the national average. However, we are not out of the woods yet. The number is continuing to rise, although more slowly, which is why it is crucial that people keep following the instructions. These are: • • • • • • • • • • •

Keep staying at home Keep working from home where you can Keep 2 metres apart if you go out Keep exercising safely Keep washing your hands with soap and water Keep self-isolating if you or anyone in your household has symptoms Keep travelling by car, bike or walking Keep staying safe at work Keep shielding yourself if you’re vulnerable Keep supporting local businesses Keep looking out for each other

Stick With It Suffolk is being rolled out across the county by the Suffolk Resilience Forum, which include Suffolk’s NHS, Emergency and Public Services. These local authorities and organisations are working together around the clock to keep Suffolk as safe as possible. This is how Suffolk will successfully respond to the government’s Stay Alert, Control The Virus, Save Lives message.

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“On behalf of all the members of the Suffolk Resilience Forum, I’d like to say thank you to the people of Suffolk for the sacrifices they are making by following these instructions. “But now, more than ever, it is important that we stick with it - the number of cases can very easily increase if we take our eye off the ball. This would be a backward step, with strict lockdown measures coming back into force. “With young children of my own, I understand how difficult it is when they can’t see their family and friends, they would love to see their grandparents but I know this increases the risk to my family and Suffolk residents. We are making progress, and we will continue to do so if we Stick With It Suffolk.” Dr Mark Shenton, Chair of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our communities for their continued support in helping our health and care system to manage this public health emergency. “These are unprecedented times and the measures we have all taken so far are really making a difference. This is why it is so important to continue following government guidelines and keeping the two metre distance from each other. “I am so proud of how our services are responding to this crisis and extremely heartened by the continued support that so many people are giving us by following these rules. “Please continue to stay alert, continue to help control this virus and help us all save lives.”

In Touch online:


#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

BABERGH AND MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILS COMMUNITY GROUPS TO RECEIVE OVER £64,000 IN EMERGENCY FUNDING Up to April 28, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils had approved grants totalling more than £64,000 to support local communities in their response to COVID-19. The Emerging Needs Grant allows both new and existing groups in Babergh and Mid Suffolk to apply for funding of up to £2,500 to cover increased costs incurred as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19). These costs include general running costs, ongoing staff costs, volunteer expenses, utility bills and the purchasing of food or other consumables. A straightforward application process has enabled 62 community groups across both districts to apply for the grant, with this figure set to increase over coming weeks. The councils’ Communities Team, bolstered by the redeployment of other council officers, has worked around the clock to respond to over half of applicants so far - helping to ease the challenges faced by residents during the crisis. As a result of this over £48,000 of much-needed funding has been paid out during the past month to groups in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, who are playing a key role in protecting vulnerable residents and helping our communities remain resilient during the COVID-19 outbreak. Another £16,000 of grants are currently at offer stage and will be paid shortly. Included within these figures is over £15,000 of funding for local foodbanks, with groups in Hadleigh, Bildeston, Stowmarket, Battisford and Debenham amongst those in receipt of grants to enable their vital work to continue. Founder and co-ordinator of Bildeston Foodbank Shaun Moffat said: “We wanted to create a non-judgemental and strictly confidential facility to lighten the burden on individuals and families who are

feeling the financial effects of this crisis. The funding from Babergh District Council will allow this vital work to continue.” Other groups to benefit from the Emerging Needs Grant include The Bridge Project and Aspect Living who deliver meals on wheels to selfisolating residents, The Green Light Trust and Beyond the Wall groups which offer mental health support at this uncertain time and numerous Parish Councils providing outreach services to those in need. Gina Saunders, employee of grant recipient Suffolk Accident Rescue Service said, “Our volunteer clinicians are now operating in an extremely challenging environment due to the virus and we are doing our best to continue to reach critically ill and injured patients. We are really grateful for the extra support from Mid Suffolk District Council, this will make a big difference.” Cllr Derek Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities for Babergh District Council said: “We recognise it’s more important than ever to provide support to our residents who are experiencing difficulties. Our Emerging Needs Grant ensures financial help is available quickly and easily for those who need it most.” Cllr Julie Flatman, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “I am delighted that groups and organisations are pulling together to relieve the financial hardship of residents, or to assist the vulnerable who are self-isolating at home. This grant scheme has allowed for their hard work to continue, providing comfort at this uncertain time.” Community officers will continue to work closely with district councillors, towns and parishes and community groups to ensure financial support is available and directed to meet needs as they emerge within communities.

SMALL BUSINESSES TO BENEFIT FROM NEW INNOVATION & GROWTH FUND Councillors have agreed a £300,000 funding programme for small businesses in towns and villages across Babergh and Mid Suffolk to be allocated over the next three years. With many businesses currently facing uncertain and difficult times, the new fund scheme from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils will provide a much needed boost to businesses after the coronavirus crisis to help sustain and create jobs, provide opportunities to grow and innovate as well as react to the changing business landscape. Small businesses, from start-ups to those looking to expand, will be able to apply for a grant from one of four different funding streams: • • • •

Growth and increased Productivity Fund Enterprise and Innovation Fund High Street Premises Enhancement Fund Environmental Sustainability Fund

The grants can be used in a variety of ways from improving environmental outcomes and sustainability, accessing professional advice and training, improving disabled access and business frontage or for the development of technology-based business solutions. The grant value will be up to £2.5k for each of the funds except the Enterprise and Innovation Fund which will have a maximum limit of £5k. The criteria, eligibility and application process will be confirmed

once the business grant fund programme is launched later this year. Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “This new business fund demonstrates our commitment to driving growth and innovation whilst also recognising our High Streets needs and encouraging sustainability and reducing energy costs in our districts, which will be exceedingly important following the impact of COVID-19 on our business landscape.” Cllr Gerard Brewster, Mid Suffolk Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “We understand that small businesses are at the heart of our communities and this funding scheme can enable enterprise and economic growth to help businesses grow and diversify as well as increasing employable skills and aspirations to support the needs of the wider community.” This new funding programme is entirely separate to the emergency help given to support individuals and businesses as part of the council’s immediate response to COVID-19 and instead looks to help businesses plan and deliver their future growth. The business grant programme reflects Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council’s commitment to supporting small and medium sized businesses, which make up 99.6% of the registered businesses in the Districts, as was outlined in the Joint Open for Business Strategy adopted in February 2018.

www.midsuffolk.gov.uk / ‎@MidSuffolk / www.babergh.gov.uk / @BaberghDistrict

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

IT’S gOASIS FOR MID SUFFOLK WINTER SPORTS COMPLEX Major proposals to build a £500 million snow centre, creating over 5,000 jobs in the area were finalised on April 20. SnOasis, set to occupy a 350-acre former quarry in Great Blakenham, will provide world class winter sport facilities such as a professional level ski slope, ice rink and bobsleigh run. The site will also accommodate an entertainment centre – with scope for further facilities such as retail units, a hotel, hostel and chalets.

As I sit to write this month’s article, we continue to live in incredibly challenging circumstances, with the Coronavirus restrictions continuing to impact upon our day to day lives. I’d like to start by thanking each and every one of you for playing your part and staying at home, helping to protect our NHS and saving lives.

Outline approval for the development was granted by central government in 2008 and again by Mid Suffolk District Council in 2011. Final details of the project, known as reserved matters, were considered and assessed against both local policy and the latest national planning policies, before being approved by the council last March. After assurance from the developers that detailed conditions addressing local concerns would be met, the council’s planning committee voted by 11 to three in favour of the project.

During this important national fight against COVID-19, I have been given leave by the government to return to the frontline of the NHS working as a doctor, but I want you to know that I am still here to help you as your local MP and continue to stand up for the best interests of Suffolk.

Following the resolution to approve the reserved matters in 2019, Mid Suffolk District Council and the developer have been working hard on a range of measures and public benefits that needed to be agreed for construction to start. The package of conditions and obligations upon the developer include a requirement to operate to a highly efficient standard; with at least 75% of the development’s energy coming from decentralised and renewable/low-carbon energy sources, substantial upgrade works to Stowmarket railway station, and a raft of environmental, ecological and amenity controls to mitigate the impacts of the development from the start of construction right through to the ongoing operation of the development. Now these commitments have been finalised, the chief planning officer has used emergency delegated powers to give the final green light for SnOasis, in the absence of regular committee meetings taking place due to Covid-19. Cllr David Burn, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “I am pleased with today’s decision by the chief planning officer, which reflects the will of our planning committee, the majority of whom voted in favour of the project last year. “The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has stressed the importance of councils ensuring that the planning system continues to function at this time of national crisis, prioritising planning decision-making where this will support the local economy. “SnOasis couldn’t be a better example of this, as it will benefit not just the district but Suffolk as a whole, at a time when opportunities for employment and economic growth will be needed more than ever.” A spokesperson for SnOasis said: “This is excellent news, and we want to thank the council for their ongoing support of this exciting project. In due course, we look forward to delivering an exceptional, fit-for-purpose, state of the art visitor experience, whilst creating thousands of jobs for the local community and beyond.”

I am in touch with my office on a regular basis, where I am briefed fully and give regular instructions on constituency matters and how to help people locally who may be in need. My team and I are working extraordinarily long hours dealing with a hugely increased workload, helping people to access vital daily support, return home from overseas and providing advice to businesses to access government grants. We are very lucky indeed to live in Suffolk and I have been heartened to hear so many stories of communities coming together and individuals going out of their way to help elderly and vulnerable neighbours. It is times like these which bring out the best in people and I am proud to call Suffolk my home. Suffolk’s Home But Not Alone scheme is an outstanding example of the public and voluntary sector coming together to deliver help to those who need it. The number for those in need of genuine help is 0800 876 6926 lines continue to be staffed from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. Many businesses have been in touch welcoming the measures put in place by the Treasury, but of course there are still some who are left behind and falling through the net. The likelihood of social distancing measures lasting for many months, or even a year, is likely to put considerable strain on our pubs and restaurants. That’s why I have written to the Chancellor to raise these concerns and I am hopeful that more can be done to help our local businesses and in particular, our pubs, cafes and restaurants in the weeks and months ahead. As ever, I would like to close by paying tribute to my NHS colleagues, the police and the many others on the frontline of our public services who are putting others before themselves to help in this crucial fight against Coronavirus. If you would like my help, please visit my website for the latest information. www.drdanielpoulter.com

BRAMFORD TREFOIL GUILD Well done, nearly two months of lockdown competed. I didn’t think I would manage but I have with the help of WhatsApp and my daily walk. I hope members of Trefoil Guild, St Mary’s Church Gathering, Bramford Carpet Bowls and our St Mary’s Church monthly coffee mornings all are still feeling well and managing ok. And all of you of course! We have a Trefoil Guild WhatsApp group which keeps us all in touch and I speak to quite a few friends on the phone. What would we do without technology? I never thought I would say that, but it’s proving its worth now. I think I must know every footpath on Thornbush Hall Farm. It’s lovely that we are able to walk around such lovely countryside. We have a little get-together to have a dance during the week and on VE Day it was lovely to see so many people enjoying the sunshine and having tea with neighbours, at a safe distance of course. I had a go at thinning and cutting my fringe today. I’m quite happy with the results. Take care every one, I can’t wait to see all again, Sue Withell

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In Touch online:


#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE AND CHARITY SHOP I hope you are well and coping in the current situation. We’re all going through events which even a couple of month ago would have been considered as a science fiction movie. Thousands of very dedicated key workers, supported by an army of volunteers are doing their best to support and help those who are in need. The NHS and other services are working very hard, often putting patient need above their own personal protection or comfort. We are sincerely grateful for their dedication. Our charity exists to help those who are still adversely affected by a similar set of events going back 34 years, from 26 April 1986, but for many of them there was never an exit from their ‘lockdown’. They had to learn to live in a new way, often referring to times ‘before’ and ‘after’ Chernobyl. This is why they truly value and appreciate your kind and generous wish to help them look after their future – their children. In addition to Chernobyl related problems, many of the communities in Belarus and Ukraine have to face Covid-19 together with bush and forest fires, some of which are within less than two miles of the Chernobyl reactor. These ongoing fires started some time ago and yet very little is mentioned about them outside of Belarus and Ukraine. The fires are burning in highly contaminated areas, releasing contamination and engulfing vast territories in smog. In some areas, part of or complete villages have been lost to the fires and it’s not over yet. They haven’t seen rain for over a month and the prospects don’t look good. For all of us this is a very difficult time; for them it brings a terrible sense of déjà vu. They feel, once more, they are living in a nightmare, shut off from the outside world. There is no comparable NHS in Belarus and nowhere near the network of support services that we in the UK are privileged to have the benefit of. Despite this and the problems they are living with, I am receiving daily

messages from the parents of children who have been to the UK expressing concern for the families who hosted their children. They live in a very closed society and the only news they receive is state controlled. Those of you who have hosted the children, or who have been to Belarus and met the families, understand how much our support is needed and how much it means to them. We may not be able to bring the children to the UK this year but with your help there are ways that we can help them in Belarus. The families are trying their best to cope with very limited, and in some cases non-existent resources. Our charity will not qualify for any of the advertised aid for small charities. We are a registered UK Charity but, like so many others, because we are not a ‘frontline community’ organisation we do not qualify. With your donations we can arrange financial help for those most in need. There were 18 children coming from the poorest of families to Mid Suffolk this July. They will no longer be travelling; we will no longer be providing the support they were looking forward to. Please help us to help them and let them know they are not forgotten. Charity starts at home and the current needs of the NHS are presently very close to everyone’s heart, however I am aware that you also have a place for the children of Belarus in your big hearts. These people have to cope with very limited resources available to them. Please visit our just giving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ccll-midsuffolk Anything you can give will mean so much to so many. Thank you. Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / mail@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL We would like to thank all of our parents they are doing an amazing job providing great learning activities at home with their children. I hope that the different ideas have helped you at this difficult time. Henley Pre-School is closed due to COVID-19. Before we had to close, the children helped plant runner beans which are now growing in Bob’s garden at home. Thanks for looking after them Bob. Our trip to Jimmy’s Farm has been rescheduled for 25 September so hopefully this will be a fun day out for all.

Application forms can be downloaded from our website or you can email the pre-school for further information. We accept eligible 30hr funded children; these codes need to be in place the term before they are needed.

If you are thinking of sending your child to Henley Pre-school from September or in the next year please get in touch to get your applications in.

We have a well-supported Facebook page that provides lots of information and you can see what the children have been doing. It is also another way to contact the setting directly.

We are a small, rural, friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre. We pride ourselves, on the high ratio of staff to children, providing the maximum care and learning for the children. Our highly trained staff continue regular training to build their knowledge further. We provide an extensive range of resources and activities to suit all ages and abilities, ensuring all levels of development and play within the EYFS are explored.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

We also accept tax free childcare. Children can join us from the age of two; we accept government funded and fee paying children. We are open in term time only from 9am to 3pm.

For further information please call 07979 468467 or email Bridget Wyatt, our manager, at: enquiries@henleypreschool.com. Bridget, Sarah and Kerry

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

BRAMFORD COFFEE MORNINGS

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Obviously the coffee mornings are cancelled until further notice, but when things do get back to normal we will endeavour to keep people up to date via In Touch magazine.

Like everyone else in the country, the adjustment to a ‘new normal’ has been a challenge for us all in the school community but just as I would expect from these wonderful people they have responded in a remarkable way.

BRAMFORD CRAFT AND CHATTER GROUP It is very unlikely that we’ll be able to meet in June I’m afraid, fingers crossed July might be possible. Keep crafting!

BRAMFORD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP It seems unlikely that we will be allowed to have a large gathering for our June meeting. If the situation improves rapidly and we are allowed, John Bridges will be coming to tell us all about Framlingham during the last war on Thursday 18, also assuming he is willing. I remain hopeful that by July we will be getting back to some form of normality, but who knows?

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL At the time of writing, the pre-school is closed due to the lockdown restrictions. All the staff and committee are hoping that all of our children and their families are staying safe and coping well under these difficult circumstances. We are all missing seeing the children and can’t wait until it is safe to reopen again. All of our events, which we were looking forward to, have been postponed and we will let everyone know the new dates once we return to some sort of normality. We are currently planning for the new school year in September and so if you or anyone you know may be interested in joining us you can email us for an application form, or they are available on our website. We hope to be sorting out places from mid-June. We are now able to take children up to the end of their Reception year for additional sessions during the school holiday weeks, subject to availability. If you would like to book days during the holidays, please contact the administration assistant for more details. We also take children who are entitled to 30 hours funding. Simply register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible. If you would like an application form or any further information please contact Administration Assistant Lisa Read at: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk

A few students have continued to attend provision at the school to allow keyworkers to undertake their critical roles and have been well supported by staff from the high school and our primary colleagues too. We do thank our contract colleagues in the kitchen, cleaning and grounds teams who have worked alongside us in our efforts. The majority of students are working at home and, as many of you will know, that brings challenges; the Wi-Fi signal, taking turns on the laptop, finding space to work and establishing a routine. Staff have shared online learning materials with students, linked to the curriculum and consolidating prior learning, and for each block of work nearly 200 sets of work have been printed and posted out. There have been some remarkable examples of work sent back into teachers, showing us that our students are committed to doing their best. We would like to thank all of the parents/carers and siblings who have offered support too, we know it is not always easy but this has allowed learning to continue during the lockdown. There has also been a wider scope of support with many phone calls being made to check in with students and regular email contact with all. Maintaining strong emotional and physical wellbeing is crucial for everyone at this time and staff across the school have been involved in promoting this. Regular student bulletins share wellbeing and safeguarding advice, learning challenges and celebrating the success of students – and they have been busy! There have been sports challenges, Stepping up for the NHS and ‘climbing”’ the Eiffel Tower, many students are walking and cycling every day or doing Jo Wicks’ workout. Students are competitive in their spelling in KS3 English and online in many subjects. We have been delighted to see Easter cakes, a shaved head for charity, images of rainbows and all manner of uplifting images and videos from our students; see our facebook page or twitter to see more. We miss the students being here and will look forward to welcoming them back. This will bring its own challenges. In the meantime we wish everyone locally well – keep smiling and safe. Headteacher Maéve Taylor

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB Our April 100 Club draw took place on 7 May 2020. The winners were:

Claydon Pre-school

Thank You!

Now taking applications for September 2020 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm Places available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds, including eligible 15 and 30 hour funded children Flexible sessions available term-time or all-year round. Due to the Coronavirus we are temporarily closed Please email: admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk Signature Date or visit www.claydonpreschool.co.uk

1: Samantha Wilkins 2: L Vinyard 3: Laura Brown Prizes will be left in your child’s tray, or the office, for collection when we reopen. Thanks to your support, £17.50 was donated to the pre-school. Half of all money given for the 100 Club goes to the pre-school and the other half is paid out in winnings. Membership is just £1 a month. You don’t need to have a child at the pre-school to be a member. Membership forms are available from the office or by email. Thank you to all those lovely people who continue to support us. We are very grateful.

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#ControlTheVirus MAKING THE MOST OF LOCKDOWN Judith Paterson was forced to move out her home on Papermill Lane when it was flooded six months ago but was delighted to move back in on the day the lockdown began. Thankful to be home again, Judith has been making the most of her garden and enjoying the surrounding countryside. She has also been baking cakes and scones with a friend on WhatsApp. They have even enjoyed singing together and plenty of laughter too. Technology has enabled Judith to read poetry to her 94 year old friend who has been in hospital in Cardiff since before the lockdown began. Judith has sent in some pictures of her lockdown days which I’m sure many will enjoy.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB STAY ALERT, STAY SAFE, STAY ACTIVE! Following on from the government’s latest announcement on May 10, it seems that there may be a possibility that some sports, such as tennis, may be able to resume, albeit in a limited format over the coming months. Stringent rules to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to will be necessary and at the time of writing we are awaiting further detailed guidance from the LTA before deciding upon next steps. We hope to be able to welcome everyone back to the club soon; the important thing now is for everyone to stay alert, stay safe and save lives!

Get involved – join the club! Considering the new government guidance and in anticipation of a resumption of tennis due to it being one of the sports where social distancing can be easily achieved, we have now initiated our revised membership packages for 2020/21. The new membership season will run from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021 and dates will be revised further if advice changes. We are a small but very friendly club and welcome players of all ability levels so why not give tennis a try this year? To find out more please visit the club website and click on the Membership tab for details and pricing. Stay Active – Coach Carl’s Tennis At Home Challenge A quick reminder that as we prepare to hopefully resume tennis soon, why not get practising at home with Coach Carl’s Tennis at Home video series. The series of short videos includes simple lessons and fun tennis challenges. The videos are free to access on Carl’s YouTube page; just go to YouTube and search for ‘Carl Douglas Tennis Coaching’ or call Carl 07553 966380 for details.

#SaveLives

BRAMFORD WI I am sorry I cannot tell you about a meeting for June. We were meant to go and see the tomatoes. Maybe some members will be growing their own. The only ones I have grown have been plants that have started off in the compost bin. We really must get fit just in case we are able to have our July meeting, which is to be our own Olympics. I may just manage to play Pass the Parcel. We are still hoping to have Suffolk Day on Friday 19 June. I do hope that you haven’t forgotten how to do your own shopping. My daughter thinks that I should not do ours, so she is very kindly doing it for us. Tesco does have items that the Co-op doesn’t, so now my hubby is able to have sprouts and tea cakes.

We were asked if they could make bags out of old pillowcases for nurses. Apparently nurses remove their uniform when they finish a shift, put it into a plastic bag to take home, throw the uniform into the wash and the bag gets thrown away. It was suggested that with a washable, re-usable bag the whole lot could go into the machine without touching the uniform again, and there would be no bag to dispose of. That seemed like a good idea and the ladies of Bramford thought so too. We had donations of finished bags, fabric and old pillowcases. In all we made just more than 50 bags. Well done ladies! Just to remind you that we did once have meetings and still will have, A Decorated Tennis Ball hopefully in the near future, here’s a picture of a silly competition from June 2018, a decorated tennis ball. June 2018

To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub Coaching enquiries: carl.douglas@talk21.com / 07553 966380 YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCrAQUHiREca6mf9EGO6Kk_Q

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BRAMFORD, ST MARY, NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY, LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER, BAYLHAM Dear friends, As I write this June edition, it is still early May and the government are starting to relax the restrictions on movement and work. But it will still be a long journey for us all, so please be cautious and stay safe. During this lockdown period we have found that the Sunday Service on the television and Songs of Praise have been a great comfort and enabled us to join in with the hymn singing. We keep the doors closed so no one thinks I am in pain! One hymn in particular has a verse which sounds almost like a prayer to help us through the situation in which we find ourselves: Drop thy still dews of quietness Till all our strivings cease; Take from our souls the strain and stress And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of your peace We are very lucky having a garden in which to relax and exercise, not everyone has had that asset, and we feel for those who are restricted to self-isolation.

BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH At the heart of the community Minister: Rev Derek Grimshaw 01473 805486 / dkgrimshaw@msn.com Contact: Ms R Palmer: 01473 831117 www.methodistic.org.uk: The website for the Ipswich and area group of Methodist churches, with online services, thought for the day… www.methodist.org.uk: The website for the Methodist Church in Britain. Dear Friends, We watched Spring at Jimmy’s Farm last night on Channel 4. We are regular visitors to Jimmy’s Farm under normal circumstances and were last there the Friday before lockdown began. Watching the programme was fascinating. One of their mere cats nicknamed Steve McQueen has been challenging the staff at the farm as whatever measures they put in to keep him in his enclosure, he finds a way to escape. He never attempted to escape while the farm was open and there were visitors around. The story made me smile; we hear so much negativity now and it is good to smile, even if it is at one little mere cat’s escapades. People keep saying to me “these are strange times we are living through at the moment”, and they are. We are all experiencing a range of different experiences, isolation, loneliness, social distancing and not having the freedom to do what we want when we want to do it. Of course, not everything is negative. I am cheered by the rainbows in people’s windows, reminding us of the hope that we have even in times of despair. The optimists will say “never mind, this will soon be over, and we’ll soon get back to normal”. The pessimists will say “life will never go back to normal as we knew it; we will need to learn to live with a new kind of normal”. The government speaks and we are never quite sure what they are saying. Somewhere in the middle of all this there is realism.

My son has taught me fortitude, patience and acceptance as his wedding should have been in early April and as yet there is no guidance as to when they may be able to wed. We have just celebrated, in a limited way, the 75th anniversary of VE Day which seems to put our current problems in perspective. Old enemies became friends and we should forgive as Jesus told us to. Stewart McGinty. PARISH REGISTERS Funerals Currently there are several funerals taking place but we have not received the names of the deceased. However, we still extend to their families and friends our sympathy and prayers Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week

SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Until ‘Normal Service’ Resumes We have another month, at least, without public worship and are trying to figure out what worship will look like once we’re allowed to resume. Thankfully the Christian faith does not depend upon being able to meet together, or what someone is able to do for us in a meeting. The Christian faith is about what God has done for us in Jesus and what God does in us by his Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is freely given by God himself, and a relationship of love and obedience is entered into. We benefit from having a copy of the bible in our own language, in modern English, by which prayerfully we can discover more of our wonderful God, and learn of the ways expected of us. In many countries public worship is limited or banned, but the church has still grown. When they are able to meet secretly they take great risks to do so. But the strength of the ‘underground’ church is their personal relationship with the Lord. We are in a time when personal discipline to daily worship the Lord will develop deeper Christians. Where our relationship with God is the primary relationship in our lives. When public worship restarts, whatever form it takes, such worship will be more precious and Christians could well be more Christ-like. That will be a blessing to everyone. Somersham Baptist Church is still going! We have recorded Sunday Worship on our Facebook page and continue to meet for prayer and fellowship with the videoing conferencing by Zoom. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/somershambaptistchurchsuffolk Contact Mark Newcombe (Pastor) 01473 831940 / m.newcombe940@btinternet.com

Life might take a while to change from what we are currently experiencing. There are always challenges and opportunities at times like these, our choice is to seize, or reject the opportunities as they arise. It was notable that during the war years, the people who dealt best with incarceration in concentration camps were the realists. The optimists were let down time after time as their hopes were raised and dashed. The pessimists sank under the stress of being where they were while the realists dealt with the circumstances as they arose. My belief as a Christian is that God helps us through all these experiences and I find comfort in reading his word and spending time in prayer. May God be with you in this interesting time. Take care, Derek

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HENRY BUCKMASTER SHORT STORY WRITING COMPETITION SUPPORTING ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE Calling all you budding JK Rowling’s or Agatha Christie’s; Write a shorty story and help to support your local hospice with the winner receiving a session with a top editor plus your story will be published in the East Anglian Daily Times. As a family, the Buckmasters felt they owed a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderfully supportive staff at the hospice who gave Henry such dignified and tender care in the last days and hours of his life at home last August. They thought long and hard about ways to help support the hospice whilst remaining at home following government guidance and hit upon the idea of running a short story competition. Writing is something that you can do from the comfort of your own home; it doesn’t require any materials beyond a means of typing (or a pen) and some imagination. How to Enter Once you have made your donation of £10 (if you are able to give more it would be very much appreciated) on the JustGiving page, we will be in contact with you regarding sending in your short story: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ shortstorycompetitionstelizabethhospice Details of the Competition The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 To enter please make a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice of £10 or more per entry. You may enter more than once. We ask that your short story is a maximum of 3,000 words long We ask that your short story is based around the themes of family, community or compassion

The Winner The winner will be announced publicly on National Writing Day, June 26, although they will be informed a couple of days before this date. The winning entry will be printed in the East Anglian Daily Times, as well as on the St Elizabeth Hospice website, along with two runner-up stories. The winning author will also have a 1.5 hour mentoring session with an editor at Penguin Random House. The Judges Dan Franklin: Suffolk resident Dan is one of the most highly respected publishers in the UK and has recently retired after spending over forty years working for the UK’s best publishing houses. In his career he has published and edited, among many others, Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, Audrey Niffenegger, Helen Macdonald, Roddy Doyle and Bill Bryson. Harriet Bailey: Harriet has worked at the Aldeburgh Bookshop since 2015 and regularly contributes book reviews to the Aldeburgh Times. Elizabeth Young: Elizabeth is an Ambassador for St Elizabeth Hospice and is a social scientist who has worked in the NHS, academia and more recently in the not-for-profit sector. Her research interest is in palliative care. Lily Buckmaster: Lily works in International Sales for Penguin Random House in London. Her family lives near Ipswich in Suffolk. This competition is being held in the memory of her father Henry Buckmaster who passed away in August 2019. St Elizabeth Hospice helped to look after Henry immaculately in his final days; they made it possible for him to be peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and three daughters when he died.

The competition is now open and will close at midnight on Sunday 14 June.

TELEPHONE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES We are being as flexible as possible on our usual ‘1 child under 12’ policy to ensure that we can support any Suffolk family that would benefit from our support calls regardless of age group. Our fully trained volunteers have been amazing in offering extra time so we can support families in the morning, daytime, evening; whenever suits them the most and equally our staff team have flexed their daily activities to allow them to provide safeguarding and emotional support as well as advice to our volunteers to ensure they are safe and well supported. Suffolk families are struggling; we can hear the stress in their voices, their worries about money, the unbelievable loneliness they are facing, the pressure to perform-even now, the fear of losing loved ones.

Home-Start in Suffolk has rallied its troops and is now able to offer struggling families across Suffolk telephone support through our recently launched Families Connected Suffolk.

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If you or a family you know needs support from our amazing team then do get in touch. The Home-Start Families Connected Suffolk team is here for you! Get in touch by calling 01473 621104 or go to: www.homestartinsuffolk.org/makeareferral

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Here at In Touch we are committed to helping Suffolk residents to keep moving in these challenging times. In this month’s feature you will find tips and information on how you can get out and enjoy your exercise whilst adhering to the official government advice on social distancing and activity levels outside the home.

RU N N I N G

There are plenty of benefits from getting into running. For starters, it's an easy way of improving both your physical and mental health. Running requires little equipment, but a good pair of running shoes that suit your foot type may help improve comfort. Running regularly will improve the health of your heart and lungs. It can also help you lose weight, especially if combined with a healthy diet and it’s a great stress reliever and has even been shown to combat depression. The NHS Couch to 5k is a great way to get started. If you haven’t done much running before it can help boost your confidence and self-belief. Couch to 5K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina over a period of 9 weeks. For more details on Couch to 5k and to download the app visit: www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

WA L K I N G

A brisk walk is a great excuse to get outside and improve your health and get your daily exercise in these challenging times. You can start small and build up your time – you might be surprised how much you can do. Brisk walking is simply walking quicker than usual at a pace that gets your heart pumping. Every minute of activity counts, but aim for at least 10 minutes a day. The Active 10 app is a great way to help you monitor and gradually increase your brisk walking levels over time. For lots of great advice and support and to download the Active 10 app visit: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10/faqs You can also find lots of information on walks near your home at: www.discoversuffolk.org.uk/walking/health-walks/

Over the coming months there will be information, advice and useful links on the Keep Moving Suffolk website www.keepmovingsuffolk.com to help you, your family and local community to get active and stay active during these challenging times.

C YC L I N G Riding a bike is a great way to aid your physical and mental health. Provided you follow the advice on social distancing and good hygiene, it is important to remain active when you can. Now, more than ever, we must ride our bikes responsibly - that means only going out once a day, on our own, or with people we live with, and keeping two metres apart from anyone we meet, stopping and waiting for people to pass when necessary. Please only ride on routes you know well, that are close to home and that are well within your ability level, this is a time for calm recreation, not for challenging yourself. If you’re riding off-road, choose wider trails wherever possible. If you’re on a narrow path, make sure to leave enough space between yourself and anyone you might meet. While you should only use your bike to exercise once a day, you can also use it to shop for basic necessities, provide care or help for somebody vulnerable, and travel to/from essential work. For details and information on cycles routes in your local area visit: www.discoversuffolk.org.uk/ cycling-and-horse-riding/ www.suffolkonboard.com/cycle

t C he ck th es e ou @keepmovingsuffolk

www.keepmovingsuffolk.com www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

@keepmovingsuffolk

@Most_Active

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Activity Page Entertainment Quiz - Circle the answer 1. What year did the Ipswich Regent first open? 1919 / 1921 / 1923 / 1925 2. Lowestoft based rockers The Darkness had a Christmas hit with which song? Christmas Kiss / Christmas Wishes / Christmas Time / Christmas Dinner 3. Where would you find the Fisher Theatre? Bury St Edmunds / Beccles / Blakeney / Bungay 4. What was Ed Sheeran’s first album called? Divide / Multiply / Plus / Subtract 5. Born in Ipswich, with what would you associate Gary Avis with? Opera / Ballet / Ballroom / Musical Theatre 6. In what year did John Peel begin broadcasting as a Radio 1 DJ? 1967 / 1969 / 1977 / 1979 7. “Sound of the Underground” was the first No. 1 for which group? The Saturdays / Girls Aloud / The Sugababes / Little Mix 8. What did the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe originally open as in 1909? The New Floral Hall / Jacuzzi Pavilion / The Stage / The New Wave 9. What year did the first Latitude Festival take place? 2002 / 2006 / 2008 / 2010 10. Where is Lee Mead originally from? Southwold / Southfields / Southend / Southwick 11. In which town is The Royal Shakespeare Company based? Stratford-upon-Avon / Glasgow / London / Cardiff 12. Who studied Music at Great Yarmouth College? Myleene Class / Amy Winehouse / Lily Allen / Pixie Lott 13. What year was Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat out of Hell’ album released? 1968 / 1978 / 1988 / 1998 14. What is the longest running West End play? The Mousetrap / The Phantom of the Opera / The Woman in Black / The Play Goes Wrong 15. Partly filmed in Suffolk, who directed the film Yesterday (2019)? Tim Burton / Danny Boyle / Martin Scorsese / James Cameron

Answers on page 35 16

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS LET’S GET CULTURAL AND CREATIVE A new online resource has been launched to make it easy for people to find quality online arts and culture experiences during the current lockdown. The new Let’s Get Cultural and Creative web directory is being hosted by Suffolk Libraries with the content coordinated by Suffolk County Council and local arts partner organisations. The idea came from the ‘We are Ipswich’ cultural network of arts organisations to bring together the very best of what’s on offer online. The directory includes a wide choice of links to local and national activities to enjoy including dance exercises from Dance East, Time Out’s virtual gallery tours, free National Theatre pieces and Red Rose Chain’s short films about real life Suffolk experiences. Several local organisations have been working together to develop the project including Suffolk Libraries, Suffolk County Council, the Association for Suffolk Museums and the We are Ipswich partnership which includes DanceEast, Eastern Angles, Gecko, New Wolsey Theatre, Pacitti Company (SPILL Festival), Red Rose Chain, Ipswich Museums and Ipswich Borough Council theatres (Ipswich Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange). Melissa Matthews, Creative Programmes Manager at Suffolk Libraries, said:“There are so many wonderful online experiences which are being created across the country at the moment. It’s a really tough time for everyone but many organisations are working hard to focus their work online and provide new and accessible experiences for people to enjoy. We hope this resource will offer another layer to Suffolk Libraries’ digital offers. Libraries have a really important role to play in helping people to find what they need and we hope the ‘Let’s get Cultural and Creative’ resource will help to point them in the direction of some excellent content.”

#SaveLives

FUN FOR FAMILIES WITH SUFFOLK LIBRARIES A new video has been launched to remind parents that Suffolk Libraries is still running engaging and interactive online activities for them to enjoy with their children. Although the latest government guidance requires library buildings to remain closed for now, staff members are still running regular activities via library Facebook pages and YouTube. These include live story times, singing sessions, craft activities and Lego challenges. The video features one of the stars of these videos, Tom Veasey who works at Great Cornard Library and has been entertaining families online with his acoustic guitar and Wordplay sessions. Tom is one of many staff members from across Suffolk who have been replicating their usual library-based activities from home. Thousands of families are enjoying the sessions every week with library staff giving shout-outs to children and performing songs on request. Some comments from parents on Facebook: “Brilliant – it’s great that you are doing this. I am really missing my trips to the library.” “We did these crafts today… really simple and so effective… thanks for the idea.” “Thanks for doing this. You were brilliant and the children loved it.” “Thank you, my daughter and I have just binge-watched all your videos and she’s loved it.”

Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Communities, said: “Arts and culture play a large role in our life and many of us are enjoying what they bring in these challenging times. Being able to deliver a range of activities and content for people of all ages across Suffolk to enjoy, despite being behind closed doors, is a fantastic initiative. Our arts and cultural organisations are incredibly talented and we hope that the Let’s Get Cultural and Creative web directory will allow people to come together digitally to discuss and enjoy part of what makes Suffolk great.”

Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said: “These are extraordinary times for everyone but we’re passionate about helping families to enjoy their time together at home. As always, our staff have risen to the challenge and adapted to keep children across Suffolk entertained.

Ivan Cutting from the We are Ipswich partnership, said: “We’ve had to get creative, but that’s in our blood. The launch of this what’s on guide demonstrates the breadth of theatres, museums and arts organisations, who can still look after people and bring them joy even when we’re all stuck at home. It is also important that people continue to support us so we are able to open our doors again in the future.”

Full details of all the online services and activities on offer can be found on our events pages. We’ve also compiled a list of useful online resources which parents may find useful.

Research shows these sessions help young children develop their literacy skills as well as offer them something fun to do. Our new approach is clearly gaining in popularity and we want everyone to know about what we’re offering online.”

The new page can be found at: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/letsgetcreative Suffolk Libraries is also offering a wide range of online activities being run remotely by library staff including podcasts and artists workshops. These can all be found at: suffolklibraries.co.uk

Suffolk Libraries is an independent and charitable organisation which has a contract to run the county's library service. In today's challenging financial climate we appreciate any support people can give for our services and activities, which enrich the lives of people of all ages across the county. You can donate £1, £5 or £10 by text: Text 1LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £1. This costs £1 plus 2 x your standard message rate. Text 5LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus 2 x your standard message rate. Text 10LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £10. This costs £10 plus 2 x your standard message rate.

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DISABLED PEOPLE FORCED TO RISK HEALTH AND ENDURE HUMILIATING EXPERIENCES JUST TO BUY FOOD New research by disability equality charity Scope has uncovered the stark reality of supermarket shopping for many disabled people. The charity submitted its findings to a government inquiry into food supply during the Coronavirus pandemic. From risking their health because they can’t get delivery slots, to enduring the humiliating experience of being judged or challenged by other shoppers and staff, buying food and essentials continues to be a source of enormous worry for many disabled people, research by Scope suggests.

Disabled people have also told Scope about other issues, such as struggling to get particular foods they need because of their conditions, such as glutenfree alternatives and milk substitutes. Many told Scope they were having to completely depend on family members or neighbours visiting supermarkets for them. Those who are most isolated are becoming increasingly worried about being unable to access any food at all.

Many disabled shoppers could be facing a ‘triple whammy’ of a higher infection risk, the strain of inaccessible measures like having to stand in long queues, as well as other people’s negative attitudes.

Disabled people are also anxious about lack of support and advice for carers or family members of disabled people in the “extremely vulnerable” category. Many are still having to visit supermarkets but are concerned about bringing the virus back into their homes afterwards.

A survey of 585 disabled adults carried out over 10 days by Savanta ComRes on behalf of Scope found that of those who have been to a supermarket since the outbreak:

What needs to change Scope is urging shoppers to be supportive, understanding and tolerant of each other and to be mindful of invisible impairments.

• A quarter (26%) said they have faced negative attitudes from other shoppers

The disability charity wants the government to work with supermarkets to make sure all disabled people can access supermarkets and food. Scope’s recommendations include:

• More than one in three (36%) disabled shoppers reported that long queues were aggravating their conditions or impairments • A quarter (26%) feel “scared” about catching coronavirus while shopping because of their condition or impairment • One in six (16%) reported issued accessing supermarkets during special opening hours • One in seven (13%) reported facing negative attitudes from supermarket staff • One in 10 reported (9%) issues bringing carers into shops with them • Half (46%) said they had issues getting essential items In addition, two in five (38%) of all who had needed or tried to book delivery slots in the previous three weeks weren’t able to. The new findings show that getting hold of food and essentials is still creating major issues for many of the UK’s 14 million disabled people. Despite efforts from the government and supermarkets to tackle this issue, too many disabled people are still falling through the gaps and being forgotten about. Access to food and essentials remains the number one Covid-19 related concern among callers to Scope’s helpline. The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers has also found that 89 per cent of disabled people are concerned about the availability of food. Charles Bloch, 26, from Coventry, has asthma, and is registered blind. “I should ideally be isolating on my own for 12 weeks because of having bad asthma, but living on my own and having a lively guide dog, it’s not an easy thing to do. And with no shopping delivery slots available, I’ve had no choice but to go to the local shop. “I applied online for vulnerable status and was given it. I got an email from one supermarket to get priority access for delivery, but now the website doesn’t load. I’m having to go to the local shops every two to three days. Shops are still busy, and people aren’t moving out of the way for me and my guide dog. I’m worried about running out of food. I should be self-isolating. I have asthma which means I’m vulnerable, and right now I’m having to risk my life to get food.” Over the past few weeks, huge numbers of disabled people have contacted Scope directly to share their experiences. Many have told us that despite being in a vulnerable situation as a result of lockdown, they’ve had no choice but to risk their health by going out to supermarkets in person.

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• Ability to skip long queues • Consistent access to Click and Collect • Expanded provision of telephone ordering and payment • Continued training/support to ensure staff are aware of invisible impairments Scope is also calling on the government to make sure disabled people who need them can get delivery slots. The charity is recommending that the government works with charities who can refer individuals in need of additional support. Scope is also calling for a system which will allow people to self-identify if they are in a vulnerable situation regarding access to food. James Taylor, Scope’s Executive Director of strategy, impact and social change, said: “Shopping is already a difficult task for many disabled people, and now many are telling us they feel judged and compelled to explain their condition just to be able to shop safely. “It’s crucial that new rules to protect people, such as asking people to queue outside supermarkets, don’t make it harder or impossible for disabled people to shop.Disabled people also have the right to reasonable adjustments, and these rights shouldn’t be thrown aside or forgotten about. “The government and supermarkets need to listen to disabled people and develop a consistent and co-ordinated approach and urgently act to expand its ‘vulnerable’ list, to make sure all disabled people can safely get the food and essentials they need.” To find out what Scope is doing to support you and keep you safe during the coronavirus outbreak visit: www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus FREE DISABILITY HELPLINE Open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm Phone: 0808 800 3333 / Email: helpline@scope.org.uk SCOPE URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR HELP During this difficult time, disabled people are finding themselves isolated more than ever. Scope needs your help to continue providing vital support for disabled people and their families right now. Please donate today; £9 could pay for a call to our helpline, giving people vital support and information. Donate at: www.scope.org.uk/donate/?frequency=card&amount=9

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ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE LIVING IN DEFECTIVE PREMISES According to the English Housing Survey, over the last 20 years, the proportion of people renting properties has doubled, and one fifth of the UK population are now living in privately rented accommodation.

of the property and a record of those inspections having taken place; and • A good system of repair and maintenance; and • Following reports of a defect or hazard on the property being raised, by either a tenant or visitor to the property, a quick response to rectify any potential issue.

More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else, with 6000 deaths and more than two million children under the age of 15 experiencing accidents in and around the home each year. Therefore it is important that homeowners and those occupying property (including both landlords and tenants) do all they can to spot, and then where appropriate, repair any defect that could be a potential hazard, and could lead to injury and loss.

So as a tenant or visitor to a property, what should I do if I notice a hazard or defect?

So what are the most common types of accident that take place in the home? • Slips trips or falls as a result of uneven, defective or inadequate flooring • Injuries as a result of falling objects • Illnesses caused by a leak inside the property • Faulty equipment inside the property leading to injury or illness • Illness caused by disrepair / poor maintenance of the property • Injury as a result of poorly undertaken works to the property So as a tenant of a rented property, what are the landlord’s obligations to ensure that the rented property is free from such potential hazards / defects? The short answer is that there is a general duty on homeowners (including landlords) to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of visitors, including the tenants. Landlords should therefore have the following in place: • Procedures to assess their premises at appropriate intervals – inspections

Notify the property owner immediately or certainly as soon as reasonably practicable. That property owner could include the following: • Landlords • Homeowners • Public Authorities • Estate / Managing agents of that property • Public or private property owners Cases against landlords and homeowners are notoriously complex; it is often difficult for the injured person to prove that a landlord / homeowner knew of but did nothing to fix a defect or hazard which then resulted in an accident, injury and loss. At Prettys, we have experience of dealing with claims as a result of defective premises, including claims against landlords and property owners for their failure to keep a property in a state of good repair, which could result in personal injury to you either as a tenant or visitor to that property. If you therefore have suffered injury or illness as a result of being a tenant / visiting a property, please contact us on 01473 232121 or email Louise Plant at: lplant@prettys.co.uk

YOUR LOCAL PERSONAL INJURY SPECIALISTS

Vaccinations protect you, your family and the community. Don’t miss them. It is important that you and your family still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad. We provide personal, dedicated and professional support from the moment that you contact us through to the conclusion of your case. We deal with claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that whether or not your case is successful, you will not be responsible for our fees.

Call us on 01473 232121 or email at enquiry@prettys.co.uk Elm House, 25 Elm Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2AD

Contact your GP practice for more information. @Prettys_Law

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@PrettysSolicitors

Prettys

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LIVE RADIO BROADCAST OF INVESTITURE OF THE SUFFOLK MEDAL

The Suffolk Medal is the highest honour that Suffolk can bestow on one of its own and the latest recipient had his Investiture broadcast live on BBC Radio Suffolk. The Suffolk Medal was presented to Grenville Clarke (pictured here with his wife Elizabeth) for his environmental work in Suffolk in support of organisations including Green Light Trust and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Despite a serious decline in his health, Grenville, who lives in a village near to Bury St Edmunds, continued to mentor new woodland groups, linking them to primary schools and enabling children to connect with nature in their local communities. Last year the first ever Suffolk Medals were presented at a prestigious ceremony at the Museum of East Anglia Life in Stowmarket. This year, because of coronavirus restrictions and Grenville’s health, the Suffolk Medal was presented virtually by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk in a live broadcast of the investiture ceremony on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Lesley Dolphin show at 3pm on April 30. “Since 1963 Grenville has devoted the majority of his life to initiating and volunteering for environmental projects. He later helped hundreds of disadvantaged adults and children benefit from the restorative and educational power of nature and inspired thousands of people to connect with their natural environment,” reads Grenville’s Suffolk Medal Citation.

”All who come into contact with Grenville still talk about him years later, and speak warmly of his calm, generous support, delivered in an entirely selfless and understated manner. Grenville has personally motivated 1000s of people during his lifetime of contribution to this region.” Clare Countess of Euston, Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. The Suffolk Medal, designed by renowned Suffolk artist Maggi Hambling, was launched in March 2019. Nominations come from the general public in Suffolk and are decided upon by a panel of the county’s leaders, comprising The Lord Lieutenant (chair), Suffolk’s High Sheriff and Police and Crime Commissioner, CEOs from Suffolk County Council and Chamber of Commerce, the CEOs of Suffolk Community Foundation and Community Action Suffolk, a Lieutenancy representative and founder of the medal, former High Sheriff George Vestey. Last year the Suffolk Medal was awarded to Sally Fogden MBE who founded the Rural Coffee Caravan, Terry Hunt, past editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, and Richard Martineau, philanthropist from Walsham le Willows.

“In Frithy Wood, Lawshall, Grenville worked with Green Light Trust (GTL) to obtain funding to purchase the woodland, working with marginalised and disadvantaged individuals to restore it. He then documented the project’s impact, coordinating multiple surveys and finally compiling them into a book to inspire similar projects. Grenville was instrumental in establishing 62 community woodlands across Suffolk and Norfolk, now owned by the communities which surround them.

Its purpose is to recognise, reward and champion the exceptional contributions of Suffolk people that have made a fundamental, measurable and lasting difference to the lives of people in our county.

“GLT now supports thousands of adults and children each year through woodland wellbeing and educational programmes.“

The Suffolk Medal was the idea of George Vestey from Haverhill who was the High Sheriff of Suffolk in 2018-19. It is administered by Suffolk Community Foundation and funded by private individual contributions to the fund they manage on behalf of The High Sheriff of Suffolk.

Grenville has also been involved with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust for 22 years. “Grenville played pivotal roles in several key developments such as the establishment of Lackford Lakes. Volunteering as a vital member of

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a small group, he helped establish one of the most important nature reserves in the county. Grenville was involved at a critical stage in SWT’s development, chairing a working group in building the current visitor and education centre. As a trustee from 1997 to 2005, he initiated a review of the Trust’s governance, enabling the trust to become the strong organisation it is today.

A clear demonstration of outstanding volunteering, either as a single feat, an accumulation of personal impact over a period of time or, indeed, a lifetime of selfless service are key elements for consideration.

The judging panel meets at least once a year and nominations for future medals can be made directly online by any Suffolk resident via: www.thesuffolkmedal.org.uk

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While working from home but with some spare time to fill, I asked my colleagues to tell me what they have been doing. It’s a random mix with reflects our diverse ages and tastes but I hope you enjoy it. Mark Chamberlain Mark works in the office supplies section of our group, Boswell Office Supplies I have already washed the cars a few times, weeded our car parking spaces, cut the grass and replaced the Perspex in the 16 summerhouse windows, so this will be my fun activity. I have ordered and received the 1053 piece Oxford USS Missouri Battleship to build (Lego). I have looked at this so many times on visiting the toy store with my boy and always said I would never have the time to do it, well now I have the time. This is a little bit special as I have stepped on the deck of this Battleship 18 years ago in 2002 on a visit to Pearl Harbour Hawaii. The experience was amazing and couldn’t believe the size and scale of the battleship and now I can’t wait to get started on the replica ship.

Carol Lingley Carol is a member of our sales team so very well known by many. We like to call her Lady Lingley. I have been working very hard during lockdown but when I have some time with my husband, who is going stir crazy and finding it somewhat annoying having me at home all the time, we love to play Scrabble on a very ancient Play Station. We were without it for four days as we had to get a new connection for it and it was awful! How sad are we? Then we relented and signed up to Netflix and have been binge watching The Crown, which incidentally is very good. We’ve got through series one and just started on series two, and we’re loving it.

Molly Richardson Molly mainly works on Grapevine magazine and website but also on the In Touch website and has been coming up with lots of social media content while working from home. I’ve been baking more! I always loved it when I was younger, but rarely found time when always busy in the evenings and at weekends. I’ve done banana cake, cookies and these jammy dodgers - better yet, they were all vegan. It’s great fun with positive results!

Ellie Cook

Sue Stone

Ellie works in the design studio and has led on all aspects of design, print and digital, since we’ve had to work from home.

Sue is a company director and editor of Grapevine magazine, amongst a range of other responsibilities.

As we have been lucky with the weather I’ve been eating lunch outside, followed by a game of boules most days. As you can see I’m also wearing my slippers a key feature in my working at home outfit.

The lockdown has meant a change in our birthday plans. I was 50 and my daughter Kyra was 21 on the same day. So t-shirts produced, friends dropping presents at the door, afternoon tea delivered, BBQ in the evening, videos from friends and family across the world and Zoom chats with uni friends. The sun was shining and we had a lovely day, not quite the big party we planned but we’re now going to celebrate for a year...

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ENGINEERS ENCOURAGED TO ‘SHAPE THE WORLD’ FOR #INWED20 Shape the World is the theme for International Women in Engineering Day 2020 (INWED20). The annual event, now in its seventh year, is an awareness campaign which raises the profile of women in engineering across the globe focusing attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry. INWED brings together engineers and their supporters from across the world; joining to raise awareness of the opportunities and achievements of women engineers. For the past four years INWED has been celebrated in many countries including Panama, Canada, Rwanda, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Pakistan. A regular event in the INWED UK celebrations is the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) Awards. Also coordinated by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), the awards recognise the top 50 women in a specific category. The 2020 awards celebrate the Top 50 Women in Sustainability. Nominations opened in March with the winners to be published in a Guardian newspaper supplement on 23 June. INWED was originally established as a national celebration in Great Britain by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in 2015. Within a short time, the day grew in popularity and its appeal spread across the globe, and in 2016 INWED was awarded UNESCO patronage for the first time. INWED is celebrated by a diverse range of people including schools, organisations, STEM campaigners, universities and politicians. Events are collated and published on the INWED website and for 2020 INWED has already secured a number of high-profile sponsors for the day including

Boeing, Dialog Semiconductor, ECITB, GCHQ, Institute of Refrigeration, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, OPITO, Royal Air Force and Wiley. Speaking of the importance of INWED, Elizabeth Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Engineering Society said: “INWED20 is an amazing campaign that recognises the careers available to women in engineering. The 2020 theme ties in with the challenges facing us in an uncertain future and invites engineers to share how they are tackling such topics as the climate emergency. We are also delighted to be celebrating the Top 50 Women in Sustainability for engineering and allied disciplines, as an inspiration to those who want to #ShapeTheWorld.” Sally Sudworth, Chair of Judges for the Top 50 Women in Engineering 2020 added: “Engineers have a key role to play in providing sustainable solutions in addressing the climate emergency and net zero carbon challenge. That’s why we are celebrating the top WE50 women engineers working in this field in 2020.” INWED can only continue to be successful through the participation of the countless people who celebrate the day and the generous organisations that sponsor it. To find out how you or your organisation can take part in INWED20 or support it through sponsorship, and for more ideas and inspiration visit the INWED website. Social media hashtags for the 2020 campaign are #INWED20 and #ShapeTheWorld. www.inwed.org.uk

SOAPBOX DERBY RACE CAR DESIGN COMPETITION In partnership with the Women’s Engineering Society, Arklu, creators of the Lottie doll, are excited to announce a worldwide STEAM Competition (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths) giving kids the chance to design their very own Lottie Doll Soapbox Race Car. The winning design will be made into a real toy Soapbox Race Car, available all over the world. There are two age groups for the competition as below: Under 6 Competition This is a colouring /design competition. Download, print off, colour in and, of course, feel free to add your own elements or design to the car! 6+ Competition Create your own Soap Box Derby car using materials you might find around your home. Cardboard makes for a sturdy side wall, big buttons could create the wheels you need! To find our more, including how to enter, go to: www.inwed.org.uk/competitions.html

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Activity Page GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ 1. Who was Henry VIII’s sixth wife?

9. Where in the body would you find the anvil?

2. How many balls are on the table of a Snooker Game?

10. What is gram flour made from?

3. Which artist painted The Last Supper?

12. In Law Practice what does JP stand stand for?

4. Who is Harry Webb better known as?

13. What was the name of the first moon landing?

5. What is the longest river in the UK? 6. In which century did Joan of Arc live? 7. What is the common name for a Crane Fly? 8. Which sport involves tucks and spikes?

11. What is the capital of Portugal?

14. In which country did tea originate? 15. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first full-length Disney feature film, but what year was it released?

Word Search S V X L L B G F L H V E MC H X P R SMK I G B P F R SWZ WA E I T Y C E R H R O M F G U R V S OO E NQ U T V MD L

S Z Q P R H P I A B J A O I A H H X F X

NMZ U Z K Y N F D F U U R E G L B C O I S T C H P D I R Y A U DWA H I N U U M L I NG N E WW O I MM Y S T G P S I S P G A E NQ Y K K F R I C A B O Z V G DHQ T B D L Y O E S GQ V A P P B L F

L L R P P J T MZ S G S F G H OWA A E G E N T T H E A T R R N E X C H A NG E U R C H P A R K B X M T Q A V D A F Z H R I V E R O RWE L Q Z S I I HMC DH H AMC A S T L E O L S E Y T H E A T R F A R MWM E Q V F R Y X L Y Y N SWO A V G L WH X E H R P Z H B I L X R Y D A L I V E U H T J N K H C Z U I H P K E A X SMGMC E C S P D E MOU Z R C S YWKWC U T E O S F S C N U ZWF V N

N E E O E C L Q L E I S U T T O N H O O

WORDSEARCH AFRICAALIVE CHRISTCHURCHPARK CORNEXCHANGE FRAMLINGHAMCASTLE IPSWICHMUSEUM JIMMYSFARM NEWWOLSEYTHEATRE ORFORDNESS REGENTTHEATRE RIVERORWELL SUTTONHOO WATERFRONT

FRAMLINGHAMCASTLE CHRISTCHURCHPARK NEWWOLSEYTHEATRE REGENTTHEATRE CORNEXCHANGE

AFRICAALIVE

RIVERORWELL ORFORDNESS www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

IPSWICHMUSEUM JIMMYSFARM WATERFRONT

SUTTONHOO

Answers on page 35 23


Activity Page How quickly can you solve the sudoku?

Can you unscramble these places in suffolk? YMISMJ RFMA

RCAFIA VEAIL

ROFROD ESNS

RCTSHIRHHCUC RKAP

WNE LOSYEW ETAEHRET

NOCR EHEXCNAG

OTENWRARFT

IHSCPWI UMUSME

MRNLIFMGAHA TAELCS

GTREEN TEEHATR

RVIER WLRLOE

ONTUTS OHO

Answers on page 35 24

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS Suffolk Mind releases helpful resources to support the mental health of young people across the county The independent mental health charity, Suffolk Mind have released a number of resources offering help and advice to parents, carers and children to encourage mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff in the EARLY (Emotional Awareness and Resilience Learnt Young) Minds team have created videos, blogs and activities to help children to stay well by meeting their emotional needs whilst at home. Due to school closures, the Suffolk Mind EARLY Minds programme is currently unable to run. This programme is for primary schools and teaches children, teachers and parents about emotional needs and how to improve wellbeing. Our team wants to continue offering this help through a number of resources on our website. The Children and Young People’s Facilitator at Suffolk Mind, Louise Harris

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said: “As a former primary school teacher and mum myself, I understand the pressures that parents are currently feeling whilst trying to manage finances, run a home, work and be a teacher for your children. That is why at Suffolk Mind, we thought it was important to create useful resources to help the whole family to stay mentally well by meeting emotional needs. This keeps stress levels low and allows our immune system to fight back and work to promote recovery from illness. “In my blog, I have suggested a number of ways you can do this: allow time and space for each other so you can each have your privacy; with your child’s help, create a day-to-day structure for them so they have a sense of control and security; take regular breaks from work to give your child attention throughout the day and take part in an activity of their choice; set up video calls with family members and friends to help your children feel part of a community.” You can access this blog and further resource at: https://www.suffolkmind.org.uk/additional-help/resources-for-children/ www.suffolkmind.org.uk

BE A HOME HERO! TAKE ON THE 2.6 CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT SUFFOLK MIND The impact of the corona-virus and the lock down will affect many local charities who will find it harder to reach the usual amounts fund raised in this period. You can help us, have some fun and challenge yourself at the same time! The 2.6 Challenge launched on Sunday 26 April. This should have been the date of the London Marathon, but like many other fundraising events it has been postponed to later in the year due to coronavirus. In response, a nationwide campaign has launched to encourage people to take part in the 2.6 Challenge on that date instead and support UK charities. All you need to do is think of a sponsored activity based around the numbers 26 or 2.6. Anyone of any age and ability can take on the 2.6 Challenge, with a host of activities – from walking, running, or cycling 2.6 miles, to juggling for 2.6 minutes, or holding online workouts with 26 friends. The ideas and options are endless! It is a simple, fun way for anyone to help support Suffolk Mind and the invaluable work and services we provide to your local community and we would absolutely love to hear about what you challenge yourselves to do! Lockdown means you will need to do this at home – or during your hour’s daily exercise, providing you can do so safely and within government guidelines. We have compiled 26 ideas, (below), for you to adopt or get you thinking, or you can check out the 2.6 Challenge website for more inspiration and to see what others are doing:

Do 26 burpees in a row Write a poem that only has 26 words Read 26 books Do 26 cartwheels Invite your friends and family to sponsor your activity and donate to Suffolk Mind through your giving page on our website (click the yellow box to set it up), or through Just Giving or Virgin Money Giving. Complete your challenge and tell everyone about it by posting a video or photo of you and tag #SuffolkMind #TwoPointSixChallenge How your challenge will help: The money you raise will go towards supporting and developing our existing and new services that we provide across Suffolk at a time when mental health has never been more important and the demand to help more people is increasing. Help us by taking part in the 2.6 Challenge and fundraising for Suffolk Mind. If you have any questions about the 2.6 Challenge for Suffolk Mind or would like any other information about how you can help to support us, please contact the Suffolk Mind fundraising team: fundraising@suffolkmind.org.uk

Call 26 of your friends for 2.6 minutes each Run for 26 minutes for 26 days Walk 2.6 miles every day for 26 days Make 26 cup cakes today! Camp in your garden for 26 hours Sing non-stop for 26 minutes Do 26 star jumps every day for 26 days Cycle 26 miles over 2.6 days Make 26 cards and post them to 26 loved ones and friends Get 26 friends together for an online workout (or a cuppa and a chat) Make a 2.6-minute video every day for 26 days Donate 26 items to your local food bank Score 26 in a row in your garden ‘goal’ or hoop Run the length of your garden 26 times Take 26 photos of 26 different things Wear 26 different outfits in one day

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VIRTUAL GIGS PROVE POPULAR BUT WE’RE LONGING FOR THE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE TO RETURN As with many other festivals, Stowmarket’s StowFiesta has gone digital. This virtual version will take place online over the weekend of June 21-22. Since lockdown began and social distancing became the new norm, the internet is awash with livestreams, virtual gigs and improv. Admit it, before March you had never heard of Zoom – now we’re all using it for meetings, quiz nights or just to pretend that we are in the presence of others. As Grapevine’s ‘roving reporter’ I spend most evenings zipping all over the region seeing what’s out there, covering the miles across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk at the click of a mouse. It’s been great to see so many musicians performing. Some I know well, some are new to me, but all are in the same boat – trying to keep themselves sane and keep us entertained. What has struck me is the variety in quality, platform and presentation. Smartphone and tablets all have the ability to record and transmit audio and video, but it’s not broadcast quality and consequently I didn’t stay long at some of the virtual gigs I discovered.

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It’s great to see into artists’ living rooms, but in all these broadcasts there is a giant elephant in the room. Is a virtual entertainment industry sustainable? And sitting beside that elephant is another one: Is live entertainment sustainable alongside social distancing? Many in the theatre world do not expect that they will become functional again until the spring of 2021. At least one regional theatre went into administration in May and I’ve given up counting the number of festivals that aren’t happening. Overall though, live entertainment in our theatres, arts centres and small venues will survive. It will be different from what we know now. Perhaps not all our favourite haunts will survive but the artistic community are a resilient and imaginative lot when all is said and done. A large part of me hopes that having almost lost live performances, we will cherish them more than ever when the crisis is over. That having spent too much time watching virtual gigs, we will flock to our local venue and embrace live entertainment again. Tony Bell

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FINANCIAL PLANNING IN A PANDEMIC

BIKE WEEK GOES DIGITAL TO BEAT THE LOCKDOWN

Really, this is a ‘what happens next?’ issue. Hopefully you will all have been organised enough to be on a sensible financial plan to (a) make sure that you are well insured against perils like ill health and death and are (b) looking to your longer term future and making the ‘deferring consumption’ choice by putting money away so that you can eventually exit wage slavery with comfort and dignity. This, of course, all assumes that you can earn a living. But we now have a hiccough in that planning if you are in the private sector of the economy. State sector employees will likely be largely sheltered from the effect of the lockdown.

Cycling UK’s annual celebration of cycling will be online – but no less fun! • Digital events throughout the week to promote cycling • Highlighting the contribution of key workers, and how cycling to work can keep them safe • Everyone can get involved on social media #BikeWeek #7daysofcycling Bike Week (June 6 – 14 2020) is the annual celebration of everything that’s wonderful about cycling. It’s a time to remind ourselves of all the positives that riding a bike can bring, including our own health and wellbeing, which is the theme of this year’s event. Of course, we’ve had to look at doing things a little differently this year in the light of the global pandemic and the restrictions on movement. So, there will be no group rides this year, but as we’re seeing many more people out on their bikes, from families making use of their daily exercise allowance to key workers avoiding public transport, we want to capitalise on that renewed interest.

You may be furloughed. In which case, are your furloughed wages adequate to cover your basic needs, your necessary insurances and pension? If not, what do you cancel or suspend first? If you cancel a life insurance policy, will you be able to be reinsured later? At what price? If you cancel your pension saving, what effect will that have on your final pension or retirement date? If you need to use capital to keep body and soul together, what investments should you sell first? And is that a good idea at all as, arguably, asset prices are depressed?

We want to remind people that cycling can fix many of society’s biggest problems, including air pollution, obesity, poor mental health and ill health from inactivity. Above all, we want to make sure people don’t return to their cars when the crisis is over. So let’s get the nation cycling and make bikes part of the “new normal” once the pandemic is over.

Looking further out, will your employer survive this lockdown?

• Cycling to work can mean you have a 45% lower risk of developing cancer, and a 46% lower risk of cardiovascular disease

If you would like to discuss any of this with a friendly and dispassionate ear, please contact us. A quick chat may be valuable. Or we can organise a longer discussion (technology will let us do that remotely) for more detailed questions.

• If you cycle regularly in adulthood, you will enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to someone 10 years younger • If all cycle journeys increased from the current level of 2% to 25% by 2050, the collective benefit to the nation would be £248bn During Bike Week, we’ll be promoting our digital campaign, #7daysofcycling, where over seven days we look at ways you can experience cycling, encouraging people to make at least one cycle trip – but seven in a row if you can:

Maybe they will only be able to offer reduced hours and/or a lower wage? Are you ready for that?

And in the spirit of the time, we are offering our time for this without charge. You may then be better prepared for what happens next. Live long and prosper.

Sunday 7 June: Be vocal – shout about your love for cycling Monday 8 June: Be healthy – cycling can transform your wellbeing Tuesday 9 June: Be unique – take on a new challenge Wednesday 10 June: Be inspired – try something different Thursday 11 June: Be a hero – say thanks to NHS workers Friday 12 June: Go green – cycling reduces emissions Saturday 13 June: Go BIG – take on your biggest cycle adventure yet… There will be prizes on offer for people who share their rides and bike-related photos and videos on social media. As a thank you to NHS and social care workers, Cycling UK is offering them three months’ free membership, which entitles them to a number of benefits including discounts and free insurance. See https://shop.cyclinguk.org/ membership/health-and-social-care-workers-membership for more details. Find out the latest on Bike Week at: www.cyclinguk.org/bikeweek

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

CELEBRATE MUSIC’S UNIQUE ABILITY TO CREATE A SENSE OF CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY / #MAKEMUSICDAYUK At a time when the near future is increasingly unpredictable, you can be certain of one thing. Make Music Day will happen across the world on Sunday 21 June this year. Already established as the UK’s biggest free single-day music event, Make Music Day is an annual, global, grassroots festival that sees a huge range of musical performances happening all the way around the world, in 125 countries. What has made Make Music Day unique since it began in France as Fête de la Musique in 1980 is that anyone can take part. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, an enthusiastic novice, or someone who simply enjoys dabbling with a tune, it’s an open invitation to all to make and share music on one day. Traditionally the event is about bringing music into public spaces for the community to enjoy. This year, with the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and social gatherings, organisers and musicians are encouraged to take their performances online and to use the abundance of technology freely available to share the joy of music with the online community. Bringing a new meaning to the term House Music, there are a number of ways for everyone to get involved with this year’s Make Music Day, from online music lessons, as either a teacher or a pupil, virtual choirs that we can all join, and the Live from Home Challenge in which participants

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play a song and tag friends to respond with their own performances, to the Musique concrète and found sounds improvisations of the Street Studios, and our initiative to create a myriad of fantastic cover versions of Make Music Day UK’s official song Bring Me Sunshine. There are comprehensive toolkits and a wealth of advice on the Make Music Day website to help you get started and ensure you can easily join the day’s celebration of music. And for music fans who just want to enjoy all of the music being made by others there will be both global and UKcentric live streams to tune in to. We are already seeing music’s exceptional ability to engender a sense of unity in these unprecedented times and hope that this year’s Make Music Day can help to stir a real sense of community and connection throughout the country on 21 June. We continue to monitor government advice regarding social distancing and remain hopeful that by the summer solstice it will be possible to take Make Music Day into the public spaces, where it has always thrived, for some much-needed communal entertainment with uplifting live performances. But should the current situation remain we will still bring you the sights and most especially the sounds of Make Music Day as a digital celebration. For more information head to www.makemusicday.co.uk or follow @MakeMusicDayUK on social media.

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

THE WHO, WHY, WHAT & HOW OF PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING A SIMPLE GUIDE TO A BIG HEALTH PROBLEM Programme entitles all UK men over 50 to have an NHS PSA test (after counselling) which can be arranged by their GP. About one in three men with a persistently raised PSA will have PCa and require specialist investigation. The first specialist test should be an MRI scan of the prostate, though other urine or blood tests may be done before deciding upon an MRI. If an MRI scan is normal, the risk of an aggressive PCa is very low. If the scan shows an abnormality, the next step is a biopsy to obtain prostate tissue samples. If no cancer is detected, the urologist will probably keep an eye on you for a year or two. If PCa is detected, more scans may be performed to ensure the cancer has not spread. Once all this data has been collected, treatment options will be recommended for you to make an informed choice on the option that suits you best. Not all PCa needs active treatment but screen detected PCa confined to the prostate requiring treatment is nearly always curable and will not curtail your natural lifespan. In the last edition of In Touch we discussed the need for Prostate Cancer (PCa) Screening. As Coronavirus will make it harder to obtain PSA tests for the foreseeable future, this article explains PCa screening in detail and provides information on how CHAPS can provide PSA screening tests. Who Needs Screening? All men should know about their prostate gland because it causes so many problems, one of which is cancer. International specialist urological panels recommend all men should start prostate cancer (PCa) screening from age 40, especially men at high risk. These are: • Men in their 40s with an initial PSA > 1.00ng/ml or 50s with a PSA > 2.00ng/ml

PSA levels : ng/ml* Age

< 2.0

2.0-3.0

3.0-4.0

4.0-5.0

5.0-6.0

> 6.0

Under 50 50-59 60-69 70+ Normal: reassure

Slightly raised: review

Abnormal: investigate

*These levels are slightly higher than Dept of Health and slightly lower than the British Association of Urological Surgeons recommendations: DoH: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/prostate/prostate-booklet-text.pdf BAUS: www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/Publications/MDT%20 Prostate%20Cancer%20Guidance.pdf

Raised PSA

• Black men or mixed race men of African or Caribbean descent • Men with a family history of PCa or breast cancer on the mother’s side

MRI Scan

Men below age 40 do not need screening. There is no evidence to support screening for elderly men with less than 10 years’ life expectancy. Why Screen? Prostate Cancer is the commonest major cancer in UK men and the second commonest cancer killer now causing 48,000 new cases and 12,000 deaths each year. That is equivalent to a death every 45 minutes! The UK has one of the worst death rates in Europe, even though trials running up to 20 years now clearly demonstrate that PCa screening with the simple blood test PSA could halve this death rate! What is the Prostate? The prostate is a small gland lying under the bladder and encircling the urethra, the tube that carries urine into the penis. It produces fluid (semen) to nourish sperm in a man’s ejaculate. Benign enlargement of the prostate affects most men over 65 and causes urinary symptoms such as a slow flow and frequent, urgent peeing, especially at night. It is easy to treat with drugs when caught early. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and causes no symptoms till it has spread. That is why screening needs to be done before symptoms arise whilst the cancer is still inside the prostate and curable. How We Screen Screening is done simply by a blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), a protein produced only by the prostate. PSA is thus specific to the prostate but to no specific condition. The NHS Prostate Cancer Risk Management

Abnormal

Normal: Surveillance

Biopsy

Normal or NonAggressive PCa: Surveillance

Aggressive PCa

Treatment Options

Further Scans

Conclusion The best results are achieved by regular PSA tests starting no later than 50 and continued in a screening programme with regular tests till at least age 70. The frequency of testing should be determined by risk: 1-2 yearly for men at high risk but less often if the risk is low. If you cannot obtain regular PSA tests from your GP, come to a CHAPS event as advertised on our website when Coronavirus restrictions permit. Alternatively, study the video on this home-testing option https://tdlpathology.com/testinformation/test-service-updates/tdl-tinies and if you would like to go ahead, we will arrange this for you.

If you would like more information, contact us at: 07873 541505 / celine.larkin@chaps.uk.com / www.chaps.uk.com

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

AN UPDATE FROM EAST ANGLIA’S CHILDREN’S HOSPICES Submitted on Tuesday 12 May

At the time of writing last month’s article we were facing a significant loss in income, with all 43 of our shops closed plus the vast majority of our supporters’ fundraising activities and our own events cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were hopeful of funding support from the government and the announcement about help for all hospices in England that followed was very welcome news. This recognises the key role charitable care providers like EACH play in delivering specialist nursing care and wellbeing support to so many hundreds of children and their families. This alone will not be enough, though. We need to be able to start offering our full range of services to all families as soon as it is safe to do so and it is only with continued public support this will happen.

Our staff have been doing their bit too, with many taking part in the national 2.6 Challenge for EACH. They have been running 26 laps of their block, holding the plank position for 2.06 minutes every day for 26 days and even dancing non-stop to 26 songs in a row! While our fundraising efforts continue in a very different way to normal, so does the work of our hospices.

Our dedicated supporters rising to the challenge so far include brother and sister Kate (9) and Tom (6) Nicolson from Grundisburgh, who together ran a marathon in their garden over a period of days, raising over £1,500. We have also seen people engaging with creative ideas thought up by our fundraising team. A virtual pub quiz, run in partnership with Quiztaztic, saw 114 teams of friends and families get together by video call and raise £4,319. Our next virtual event is a seven-day balloon race to start on Coronation Day, Tuesday 2 June. Balloons cost £3 and can be customised by their owners, then tracked throughout the race. There are great prizes to be won, including £500 for the winner. Ongoing EACH fundraising initiatives include our Dress-Up Friday campaign, encouraging you to get dressed up, instead of dressing down for the office, as you might normally on Fridays. We want as many people as possible to post a selfie on social media with the hashtag #eachdressupfriday and make a donation. We are also asking people to Eat for EACH in a whole host of different ways and a fundraising pack exists for this on our website.

Our therapists and counsellors are now supporting families by phone, and exploring opportunities to deliver sessions via online platforms. They have gathered and developed many additional resources to support the emotional health and wellbeing needs of all family members, and these have been made accessible on our website. In addition to supporting families, our therapists and counsellors are available for other members of staff on a daily basis. Some have put themselves forward to contribute to the national psychological and emotional support helpline for frontline NHS workers. We are also working with our NHS and adult hospice partners to support the bereavement needs of those affected by COVID-19 in our local communities. From all three hospices, our focus at the moment is on providing end-oflife care and bereavement support, and responding to urgent requests for care and support as best we can. We are also working closely with healthcare organisations across the region to help reduce pressure on the NHS. Our shared goals are to help provide capacity to care for the sickest children and create more space in hospitals in the event children’s wards have to be converted into adult wards or for patients with COVID-19. Since our last update, we are delighted to have received a message of support from our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, empathising with our situation and thanking staff for their hard work. Together, we can all make sure that vital care and support is still available for the children, young people and their families who need us, during and beyond this challenging and uncertain time.

HELP US CLOSE OUR INCOME GAP You can support us now by donating at www.justgiving.com/campaign/each-covid19 or calling 01223 800800. You could also organise a virtual event or complete a virtual challenge. Please visit www.each.org.uk/get-involved for further ideas. Our fundraising teams are working hard from home and would love to hear from you. 30

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#SaveLives

LOCAL FAMILY SUPPORT CHARITY HOME-START IN SUFFOLK WELCOMES NEW PATRON Home-Start in Suffolk is proud to announce that Miranda Raison, the Suffolk based actress of the stage and screen, will be supporting the organisation in the role of patron. Miranda Raison, who has spent much of her life here in Suffolk and now lives here with her husband and young daughter, was introduced to Home-Start in Suffolk by her neighbour and friend Lady Clare Greenwell, a former volunteer and now ambassador for the charity. Ms Raison, who is well known for her role as Jo Portman in the popular television series Spooks, will soon be back on our screens playing Nellie Davenport in the upcoming HBO series Warrior – a series set in the Tong Wars of San Francisco in the 1880s – airing on Sky One throughout the UK later this year. Especially interested in highlighting the difficulties that young mothers in Suffolk face, particularly at this difficult and uncertain time, Ms Raison has been inspired to support the charity since experiencing motherhood herself. “I am thrilled and honoured to be involved with Home-Start in Suffolk,” Ms Raison said. “Their work is more important now than it has ever been; bringing support, friendship and, most importantly, hope to families who may be struggling for one reason or another. “I am incredibly fortunate, as the mother of a toddler, to have friends and family nearby in Suffolk as a source of constant support but there are many who don’t have such a network around them. Home-Start places non-judgemental and compassionate volunteers with families across the county who might need an extra pair of hands, some practical help or even just a friend to talk to.” Tara Somers, CEO at Home-Start in Suffolk said: “We are delighted that Miranda has chosen to support our organisation. Being a young parent herself, she has first-hand experience of the challenges of parenthood.

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She is highly motivated to support Suffolk families and is particularly keen to ensure that the community know the hard work that our staff team and amazing volunteers do to support families.” Miranda has recently launched a special story telling YouTube channel where she reads classic stories written by authors such as Beatrix Potter and A.A. Milne for children to listen to during lockdown and beyond. A link to her channel can be found on the Home-Start in Suffolk website within the ‘Activities for Children’ section the organisation created for families during the current COVID-19 crisis. Home-Start in Suffolk has been supporting Suffolk families for over 20 years and is instrumental in early intervention to prevent families reaching crisis point. Helping families as they navigate through challenges such as bereavement, long term illness, domestic abuse, isolation, poor mental health, disabilities and so much more, Home-Start in Suffolk works alongside the statutory services and are highly respected amongst their partners and peers. The majority of their family referrals come through professional partners however families are able to self-refer too. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Crisis, Home-Start in Suffolk has adapted their important volunteer support service to adhere to the physical distancing guidance, providing telephone and video call support for struggling families in place of the home-visiting service they are well known for. This is working well and there are plans afoot to add telephone support as an additional service once this crisis is over. “The current Coronavirus outbreak has seen us having to adapt our services quickly and the positive feedback we have had as a result has been wonderful,” says Tara. “Our volunteers are at the heart of our organisation and have all been extremely flexible, adapting their support and offering even more support hours where they can. We are so fortunate to have such a fantastic team of volunteers. “We believe that during this crisis and in-deed once this crisis is over the need for our services will continue to increase and we are therefore actively recruiting new volunteers, providing a new short-term online training course until things return to normal.” If anyone is interested in joining the Home-Start in Suffolk volunteer team or to find out more about the services they offer please visit www.homestartinsuffolk.org or call 01473 621104

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Queen of the kitchen Rosemary Shrager and Great British Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty share secrets to better bakes for Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day Alzheimer’s Society supporter Rosemary Shrager, who has been baking on our screens for over a decade, and Michael Chakraverty, who is also an active Dementia Friends Champion, are joining forces to show it is still possible to bake mouth-watering cakes while households up and down the UK continue to cope with strict lockdown measures. Due to the current restrictions, there is no specific day earmarked for this year’s Cupcake Day – Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to get involved whenever it suits them. With 95% of people with dementia over 65 and many living with underlying conditions and reliant on social care, people with dementia are currently at significant risk from coronavirus, with thousands being cut-off from vital networks of support and from society. In the last two months, Alzheimer’s Society has received many thousands of calls to its Dementia Connect support line and around 80% of these are about coronavirus issues, so it’s never been more important for baking rookies and seasoned pros to tie up their aprons, dust off their baking

bowls, whip out their whisks and take part in Cupcake Day. Everyone can take part – you could host a virtual Cupcake Day and stay connected with workmates, friends or family by organising a video call. You could even hold a virtual bake off and see whose cupcake creation looks the best (or worst!). If you’re at home with little ones, consider downloading the charity’s online resources to keep them entertained and teach them a new skill. Alternatively, you can host your Cupcake Day later in the year when we can safely come back together – whenever and wherever you like. Whether you decide to fundraise or simply donate, every bit of money you raise will help Alzheimer’s Society be there for people affected by dementia at this difficult time. Money raised by Cupcake Day will help keep the Dementia Connect support line going and extend telephone and virtual support to those who need it most.

Michael’s top tips for flawless bakes during lockdown: • Baking with limited ingredients can be tricky but there are ways around it. Look for vegan recipes that use nondairy (long-life) milks and no eggs. Try cakes that are almond flour-based. Photo by Ness Ridley

• The simplest bakes are often the best ones - there are plenty of cookie and biscuit recipes that use few ingredients and often don’t need things like flour, milk and eggs. •

Now is the time to get baking – it’s a great distractor, and you can drop anything you don’t eat yourself on the doorsteps of those who are self-isolating. If you’re a beginner, I’d say start simple with a shortbread, a Victoria sponge, or a basic bread, and then work your way up from there!

Two years ago, Michael joined more than 6,300 people involved in the largest ever social movement around dementia, Alzheimer’s Society’s

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Dementia Friends, after a family member was diagnosed with dementia. A Dementia Friends Champion runs Dementia Friends’ information sessions, helping to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding about dementia that means many people with the condition experience loneliness and isolation. There are currently over three million Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends who are turning understanding into small actions to ensure people living with dementia feel more involved and included in their local communities. Michael said: “I am proud to be a part of the biggest social movement in dementia by helping to strip dementia of its negative connotations. For several years now, I have worked with people from all backgrounds to help change the way we think, act and talk about dementia. I’ve heard inspiring stories, shared personal experiences and felt a positive shift in each and every room. Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends are changing lives every day, one small step at a time. “This is more important than ever. Thousands of people across the UK are facing uncertainty and isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you bake or buy cakes for Cupcake Day, you will be helping Alzheimer’s Society support those who need it most.”

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Rosemary’s top tips: • Baking is all about patience – don’t rush. By taking your time you will get the best result. Read your recipe a couple of times and have a good understanding of what you need to do. Weigh out all the ingredients and get all your equipment out before you start. •

If a recipe calls for separating eggs, don’t throw one half away. The whites and yolks can be used in a variety of recipes, from meringues to Hollandaise sauce. If you don’t want to use your egg whites straight away, they will keep in the fridge for up to one day, but they can also be frozen for up to two months. Egg yolks will also keep for a day in

the fridge but dry out easily, so I don’t recommend freezing them. • Some people are struggling to get ingredients at the moment, but if you want to make bread, try soda bread as it is yeast free and you don’t need to use bread flour. Rosemary added: “I’m delighted to be supporting Cupcake Day for Alzheimer’s Society. This is the perfect opportunity to have fun with your friends and family, even if you’re not together, and raise money for a great cause. “In the average time it takes to bake a batch of cakes, six people will develop dementia in the UK. People with dementia need our support now more than ever. No one should be left feeling alone in a time like this and the vital funds raised by Cupcake Day will go to help Alzheimer’s Society reach even more people through its Dementia Connect Support Line, which is a lifeline to thousands of people affected by dementia.”

Cherry Bakewell Cupcakes

Double Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Makes 12

Recipe by Joy Skipper

150g unsalted butter, softened 150g caster sugar 100g self-raising flour 2 eggs, beaten 60g ground almonds 2 tbsp milk 3-4 tbsp raspberry jam 250g icing sugar, sifted 3 tbsp lemon juice 6 glace cherries, halved

Makes 12 200g unsalted butter, softened 200g golden caster sugar 3 eggs, beaten 200g self-raising flour 1-2 tbsp milk 35g salted caramel sauce For the icing 160g unsalted butter, softened 300g icing sugar 3 tbsp salted caramel sauce

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, Gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

• Place the butter and sugar into a bowl and creamy together until light and fluffy.

• Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.

• Add the flour, eggs, ground almonds and milk and mix together until you have a smooth batter.

• Add the eggs and flour a little at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the milk, and mix well to give a smooth batter that drops easily off the spoon.

• Spoon into the paper cases and bake for 20-22 minutes, until springy to the touch. Leave to cool on a cooling rack. • Using a teaspoon, spoon a hole approx 1 cm deep in the centre of each cupcake. Spoon 1 tsp of the raspberry jam into each cupcake. • Mix together the icing sugar and lemon juice then spoon over each cupcake. • Top with a half of glace cherry in the middle and leave for approx 1 hour to set.

• Spoon half of the mixture into the paper cases then top each one with ½ tsp of salted caramel sauce. Cover with the remaining cake batter then bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden. • Remove from the tin and leave to completely cool on a rack. •

Meanwhile, make the butter icing by beating together all of the ingredients, reserving 1 tbsp of the salted caramel sauce. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe over the cupcakes. Drizzle over the remaining caramel sauce.

To sign up and find out more information, visit: cupcakeday.alzheimers.org.uk To support Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal, please visit: alzheimers.org.uk/emergency

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Vegan Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Recipe by Joy Skipper

Recipe by Joy Skipper

Makes 12

Makes 10

125g unsalted butter, softened 250g caster sugar grated zest of 1 lemon 2 eggs, beaten 150g self-raising flour 2 tbsp milk 3-4 tbsp lemon curd 2 egg whites

150g plain flour 140g caster sugar 50g cocoa powder ¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp baking powder Grated rind of 1 orange 230ml non-dairy milk 1 tsp white wine vinegar 100ml sunflower oil 20g vegan chocolate, melted Extra cocoa for dusting

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, Gas mark4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with 10 paper cases.

• Place the butter, 150g of the sugar and lemon zest in a bowl and cream together until light and fluffy.

• Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate and baking powder into a bowl. Stir in the orange rind.

• Add the eggs, flour and milk and mix to a smooth batter.

• Whisk together the milk, vinegar and sunflower oil.

• Spoon the batter into the paper cases and bake for 20-22 minutes, until springy to the touch. Leave to cool on a cooling rack.

• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together well. Divide between the 10 paper cases. Bake for 20-15 minutes, until risen and springy to the touch.

• Using a teaspoon, spoon out a hole about 1 cm deep in the middle of each cupcake. Spoon 1 tsp of the lemon curd into each hole.

• Remove from the tin and allow to cool on a rack.

• Whisk the egg whites until stiff then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar, a little at a time, until you have thick glossy meringue.

• Decorate with swirls of melted chocolate, bits of orange rind and a sprinkling of cocoa.

• Spoon the meringue onto the top of each cake, adding spikes with a fork or the back of the spoon. • Cook the meringue either with a chef’s blowtorch, or under a hot grill – keep an eye as they can burn very quickly!

Fearne Cotton “The flavours of chocolate and orange are always a winning combination and it’s never been easier to purchase ingredients and create cupcakes that are dairy-free and suitable for vegans. Using substitutes like flax seed, oil and dairy-free milk alternatives are all easy ways to create mouth-watering cupcakes that are sure to impress your family and friends. And what better time to give these a try than for Cupcake Day, which is all for a great cause – to raise vital donations for Alzheimer’s Society to help beat dementia.”

To sign up and find out more information, visit: cupcakeday.alzheimers.org.uk To support Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal, please visit: alzheimers.org.uk/emergency

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Answer Page Entertainment Quiz

General Knowledge quiz

unscramble answers

1.

1921

1.

Catherine Parr

2.

Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)

2.

22

3.

Bungay

3.

Leonardo Da Vinci

4.

Plus

4.

Cliff Richard

5.

Ballet Dance

5.

The Severn (Bristol)

6.

1967

6.

15th (1400s)

7.

Girls Aloud

7.

Daddy Long Legs

8.

The New Floral Hall

8.

Diving

RIVERORWELL

9.

2006

9.

The ear

AFRICAALIVE

JIMMYSFARM ORFORDNESS NEWWOLSEYTHEATRE WATERFRONT FRAMLINGHAMCASTLE

10. Southend

10. Chickpeas

11. Stratford-upon-Avon

11. Lisbon

12. Myleene Class

12. Justice of the Peace

13. 1978

13. Apollo 11

14. The Mousetrap

14. China

REGENTTHEATRE

15. Danny Boyle

15. 1937

SUTTONHOO

CHRISTCHURCHPARK CORNEXCHANGE IPSWICHMUSEUM

How did you do? Word Search Wordsearch answers

Sudoku answers

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S V X L L B G F L H V E MC H X P R S MK I G B P F R SWZ WA E I T Y C E R H R O M F G U R V S OO E NQ U T V MD L

S Z Q P R H P I A B J A O I A H H X F X

NMZ U Z K Y N F D F U U R E G L B C O I S T C H P D I R Y A U DWA H I N U U M L I NG N E WW O I MM Y S T G P S I S P G A E NQ Y K K F R I C A B O Z V G DHQ T B D L Y O E S GQ V A P P B L F

L L R P P J T MZ S G S F G H OWA A E G E N T T H E A T R R N E X C H A NG E U R C H P A R K B X M T Q A V D A F Z H R I V E R O RWE L Q Z S I I HMC DH H AMC A S T L E O L S E Y T H E A T R F A R MWM E Q V F R Y X L Y Y N SWO A V G L WH X E H R P Z H B I L X R Y D A L I V E U H T J N K H C Z U I H P K E A X S MGMC E C S P D E MOU Z R C S YWKWC U T E O S F S C N U ZWF V N

N E E O E C L Q L E I S U T T O N H O O

FRAMLINGHAMCASTLE CHRISTCHURCHPARK NEWWOLSEYTHEATRE REGENTTHE 35 CORNEXCHANGE

AFRICAALIVE

IPSWICHMUSEUM JIMMYSFARM

RIVERORWELL

ORFORDNESS

WATERFRONT

SUTTONHOO


#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HOME, BUT NOT ALONE A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Called Home, But Not Alone, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need. The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support. As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with government social distancing guidelines. Download the free app, called Tribe Volunteer, from Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is Freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board. Chrissie Geeson, the board chair, said: “In these challenging times, it has been incredibly heartening to have so many people volunteer to help others. In villages and towns across Suffolk, people have taken it upon themselves to mobilise a small army of volunteers to do what they can for people in need. “The support service will encompass this work but will bring structure and routine to these offers of help. This is just the start of this new service, so we expect the number of offers and requests to grow. People who want to help, or need help, should let us know and we will do the rest. “It is testament to the hard work of all Suffolk organisations and sectors that we are able to offer this invaluable help.”

Child Safety Week is an annual community education campaign run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents. In response to COVID-19, we’re changing what we do this year to meet the changing needs of families and the frontline staff who support them: We’ve adapted the Child Safety Week Parents’ Pack so it helps parents take on child safety and win, even when they’re feeling under pressure. We’ve created new content that practitioners can use right now in their digital communications, however they’re reaching out to families. We’re reworking the Child Safety Week Action Pack as a year-round resource so practitioners can use it in face-to-face work with families as lockdown eases. During Child Safety Week itself, our emphasis will be on social media to reach as many families as possible. We’ll be adding to our safety advice, so do stay in touch by liking or following our Facebook page. And, if you work with families, sign up to our email alerts. All of the resources referred to above, and a lot more besides, can be downloaded from the website. www.capt.org.uk / Twitter: @CAPTcharity Facebook: Child Accident Prevention Trust

It’s fun to be safe! Spot the dangers Walking is good for you. But roads can be dangerous. Look at the two pictures of a child crossing the road with a grown-up. In one of the pictures, they are crossing the road safely. In the other picture, they are doing dangerous things.

How many dangerous things can you spot? Circle all the dangers you can see. Then colour in the picture that shows the safe way to cross the road.

The telephone line is not a general information line for COVID-19 queries, but those in need can seek information on support with care needs, loneliness and to connect with community support. This is a new service and will adapte to demand over the coming weeks. People are still being urged to check www.gov.uk for the latest guidance on a wide range of issues and changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Safety scramble! Don’t get in a muddle with safety. Unscramble the words below to find the best ways to keep yourself and your family and friends safe from harm. 1 If you’re talking on this when you cross the road, you won’t be able to hear cars coming

4 This keeps your head safe when you’re playing on your bike

BONEMILEHOP

THEMILKBEE

2 Playing with these can start a fire

5 This gives you time to escape if there’s a fire

CATMESH

KAMRAMSOLE

3 Sitting on one of these helps your seat belt work better

6 This tells you it’s not safe to swim at the seaside

RETASAC

DRAGFEL

Safety Scramble: 1. Mobile Phone, 2. Matches, 3. Car Seat, 4. Bike Helmet, 5. Smoke Alarm, 6. Red Flag Spot the dangers! • They are not crossing at a safe crossing place • They are not stopping, and looking and listening for cars, before stepping off the kerb • This means they have not seen that a car is coming • They are not holding hands • The child is chasing a ball into the road • The lady is not looking at what the child is doing, so she has not seen that the child is chasing the ball into the road

Answers:

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The things listed are everyday products that can help make life easier or more enjoyable. But they each bring their own risk to young children. Can you find them and work out what the risk is? hint: to find out more about the real risks to today’s children follow the Child Accident Prevention Trust on facebook (www.facebook.com/childaccidentpreventiontrust) or visit the website www.capt.org.uk www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

TIME TO PRESS PLAY AFTER PAUSING FOR THE PANDEMIC Since lockdown began, it’s been an extraordinary time for us at Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity. With most planned fundraising activities and events cancelled or postponed, we focused entirely on how we could support our staff and patients during this most challenging time.

STAYING SAFE ONLINE The UK Council for Internet Safety has compiled a list of resources to help parents and carers who have concerns about the safety and mental wellbeing of their children online.

Initially, donations of all kinds snowballed in so we had to act fast to make sure they reached those areas that needed it most. It was incredible to experience the outpouring of support from all corners of our community. Armies of sewers made scrubs and uniform bags, schools made visors, kind knitters made hearts for COVID-19 patients, and ear savers were lovingly made for staff wearing masks on long shifts.

BBC: The BBC’s Own It app helps children stop and think before they press the ‘send’ button.

We launched our COVID-19 Staff Wellbeing Appeal and were delighted to receive over £80,000 in the first two weeks. We were also inundated with snacks, drinks and other useful supplies for staff following a very successful Amazon wish list campaign.

CTIRU: You can report terrorist content they find online through the public referral tool.

JustGiving pages appeared with an amazing array of ideas to support the appeal too. We had head shavers, garden runners, static bike rides and sponsored silences to name a few. Communities have rallied together in response to the pandemic and we would like to take this opportunity to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to those people who’ve come forward to help. Currently, we’re working hard on COVID-19 legacy projects. We have consulted with our remarkable staff on what they need most going forward to enhance their workspaces and welfare. We will be using the appeal fund to realise these goals, as well as some of the monies raised by the incredible Captain Tom Moore. His walk was in aid of NHS Charities Together (an umbrella organisation for NHS charities) of which we are long-term members. We are now also able to return our attention to pre-existing appeals, including The Children’s Appeal at Ipswich Hospital to raise money to transform the Children’s Department. The current layout and space is no longer fit for purpose and is in desperate need of modernisation. The staff in the department are truly outstanding and so now is the time to give them and the children and their families the environment and facilities they all deserve. You too can be part of the transformation and help make a difference by fundraising or donating: www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/ childrensappeal

Childnet: A tool kit to support parents and carers of any age child to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support.

Every Mind Matters: Advice and simple tips on how to maintain your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak Internet Matters: StaySafeStayHome online resources and advice to support families. Let’s Talk About It: Support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation. LGfL: Support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including six top tips to keep primary aged children safe online. Net-aware: Support for parents and carers from NSPCC, providing a guide to social networks, apps and games. Parent Info: Provides support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations. Rise Above: Public Health England’s Rise Above social marketing programme aims to help build resilience and support good mental health of young people aged 10-16. Thinkuknow: Provides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) to stay safe online. To help families manage during this time, the NCA has launched #OnlineSafetyAtHome, a set of fun, engaging activities based on Thinkuknow cartoons, films, games, and advice articles.

Need to talk? We’d love to hear about your plans or if you would like help and support to get started, please get in touch. 0300 770 1369 / charity@esneft.nhs.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

COLOURS AND YOU

LILLA’S PHOTO JOURNEY THROUGH CORONAVIRUS Originally from Hungary, Lilla Szanto has been living in the UK for more than eight years so considers this country as home, especially since she moved to Manningtree from London a few years ago. “I just fell in love with the countryside around here and the majority of people were very welcoming.” Lilla is a passionate self-taught photographer and also works as a CareGiver for Right at Home Colchester & District.

The colouring-in picture opposite is from Colours and You, a charming book in which a lovely Robin tries his very best to make his friend, Squirrel, happy. Written by K.M.L. Quinn (above) and beautifully illustrated by Aoife Gallagher, (below) this book brilliantly describes how wonderful the world can be. The idea came to Karen when she was stuck in a recycling centre, waiting to say goodbye to a collection of tin cans and glass bottles. Once she had written it, she thought of Aoife, an incredibly talented artist and illustrator with a great eye for colour and characters.

“It may sound like a cliché but I do love my job. I never thought that I would do a job like this but now I am very happy that I made the decision to become a carer. Care work is one of the most rewarding vocations, but also one of the most stressful. It is really satisfying to give something back to the community and support vulnerable and elderly people with their daily routine at their own home. The appreciation and love I receive is priceless. “Sometimes it’s very difficult to put feelings into words, especially when times are difficult. Like most of us, I haven’t experienced anything like this before. It has been extremely testing and, to be honest, I never felt so exhausted in my life but at the same time I feel like I am becoming stronger and wiser day by day.” Lilla has been documenting the impact of coronavirus in photos, even taking her camera to work on occasion. The picture shown above was taken when panic buyers emptied the supermarkets. When Lilla took Mrs G to do her weekly shop she had a list of 25 essential items. They left the store with only three. In the picture below we see Lilla with one of her lovely clients. She says she’s always smiling behind the mask! We hope to share more of Lilla’s pictures in the future.

“I asked if she would be up for teaming up and gave her the words and away she went,” says Karen. “It’s wonderful to see how the words you write inspire others. It always feels so exciting to see the characters for the first time – and I remember gasping when I first laid eyes on Squirrel and Robin!

Colours and You is available to purchase on Amazon but until you get your hands on a copy, the younger members of your household can enjoying colouring in Aoife’s drawing.

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© AOIFE GALLAGHER www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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#ControlTheVirus #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ADAPTING TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY DURING COVID-19 Community Action Suffolk (CAS) exists to ensure the sector, and its volunteers, is supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient. We provide (or signpost) whatever is needed behind the scenes to enable this, so the sector can concentrate on doing what it does best – making Suffolk an incredible place in which to live and work. The VCSE sector in Suffolk has never been more needed than in the current climate of national crisis and as a result, CAS has seen an exponential rise in need for support from the organisations and community groups within it. We are working across the Suffolk system with partners such as Suffolk Community Foundation to ensure we provide as much support as we possibly can and are adapting our working processes across the board to ensure that support is accessible to everyone that needs it. As our staff experience for themselves the practicalities of working from home and delivering services remotely, we are putting that experience to best use developing a continuous stream of digital tools, resources and information in response to requests and need derived from various recent surveys. In total, we have had 823 responses to three ‘quick’ surveys of community groups and VCSE organisations in the last few weeks. As a result, the following resources and sources of information have been developed, and the list keeps growing. •

Various resources and toolkits to support Community Response Groups and Good Neighbour Schemes covering topics such as volunteering safely; how to set up a CRG; volunteer recruitment, support and management; shopping and handling money

• Additional resources and tools to support VCSE organisations during the pandemic including up to date lists of funding sources, safeguarding, business continuity and many more • Online ‘Talk Volunteering’ network meetings • Regular one-to-one funding surgeries in partnership with Suffolk County Council. • Online one-to-one and peer group Safeguarding support • Professional webinars and online videos with experts from ProHelp members

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• Weekly Facebook LIVE Q&A sessions (every Tuesday at 11am) • Peer support group on Facebook for Covid-19 group leaders • Additional support tools for VCSE organisations for volunteer management and volunteering offer adaptation We are also sharing information about all of these, and information from key partners through our weekly Covid-19 newsletter, social media accounts, and our brand new website with dedicated Covid-19 pages. #SuffolkCommunityHero Last, but by no means least, we have also launched the #SuffolkCommunityHero campaign in recent weeks to recognise those unsung heroes in our communities who are making an incredible difference to our communities. “We are hearing stories every day of organisations going above and beyond at the moment. We are trying hard to share as many of these stories as we can, but it is also so important to us to provide a platform for those who want to thank individuals. From those delivering urgent food and medication, to those ‘unseen faces’ on the end of a phone helping someone feel less isolated and alone, many people just want to highlight someone who has helped them. No one person can do everything, but everyone can do something and however big or small, the difference it is making deserves to be recognised. “We know they aren’t doing it for the thanks, but we couldn’t do it without them and a small ‘thank you’ goes a long way, especially where people are behind closed doors and not able to say it personally, so please do keep those nominations coming!” Hannah Reid, CAS For more information on any of the topics above or to book on to a session, please visit www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk and go the relevant section for you. We look forward to supporting you in the months ahead and would also take this opportunity once more to say thank you – the response to this pandemic has been incredible in Suffolk and we really do applaud you all.

In Touch online:


www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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