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Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline launched

Press Release on behalf of all Somerset Local Authorities 6th April 2020

A single phone number is now available for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support from their councils.

The Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline number, 0300 790 6275, is now live and will make it easier for people to access any local authority help they may need, including emotional support, in the current crisis.

It links together the district and county council contact centres and will be operating seven days a week, 8am to 6pm, making it the one number you need to remember for Coronavirus-related enquiries. The district and county councils’ usual phone numbers will be running as normal alongside the new number for non-Coronavirus related issues.

The new number won’t cover medical advice, for which people will need to continue to use the 111 NHS online service and only ring 111 if they cannot get help online.

Anyone who can’t find help within their own local networks and volunteers can use the new number to get help and advice around:

  • Personal care and support including food and delivery of prescriptions
  • Support for the homeless
  • Emotional support if you’re feeling worried or anxious
  • Transport to medical appointments
  • Waste collection and disposal
  • Financial support

Callers will be asked to describe the support they require and will be connected with others for resolution.

The 0300 790 6275 number is being staffed by the five councils in Somerset and will be available seven days per week 8am – 6pm.

Meanwhile, the five councils in Somerset are getting in touch with people on their database that may be vulnerable to see if they need assistance with anything like supplies of food, help with transport and other support.

If people are interested in volunteering, for example helping people out with shopping or picking up prescriptions, they can go to https://www.corona-helpers.co.uk/ to register.

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Stay home and save lives this Easter

Press Release on behalf of all Somerset Local Authorities
Residents and would-be tourists are being urged to stay away from Somerset’s beauty spots and visitor attractions this Easter.
With fine weather forecast and the Easter holidays about to start, it’s essential that the public is not tempted to travel to take advantage of the beautiful Somerset outdoors.
Somerset’s local authorities oversee Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other public and open spaces. They’re are working together to manage the impacts of Coronavirus and encouraging everyone to follow Government advice.
Even open spaces can fill-up quickly making social distancing difficult, and the public is being urged to heed the ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ message.
It advises people to stay local and not to travel for their once-a-day exercise, and when you do you should go out, it should be alone or only with others in your household.
By doing that until the crisis is over, you’ll be limiting the spread of Coronavirus – savings lives and protecting the NHS.
John Turner, Chief Executive of Visit Somerset, said: “This is a difficult message for someone in my position to be giving, but these are difficult times.
“I know it’s disappointing and hugely tough on businesses, but there will be plenty of time to come and visit us and explore our great county. Now is not the time. We have to protect our NHS, our key workers and our county.
“People must listen to the advice from the Government and its medical experts and take every possible step to stop or slow the spread of this virus. Right now, that advice is not to travel and to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
The full Government advice can be found here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-youcan-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

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Closing non-essential shops and public spaces

The Government has issued the following information on closure of public spaces:
Closing non-essential shops and public spaces
Last week, the Government ordered certain businesses – including pubs, cinemas and theatres – to close. The Government is now extending this requirement to a further set of businesses and other venues, including:
• all non-essential retail stores – this will include clothing and electronics stores; hair, beauty and nail salons; and outdoor and indoor markets, excluding food markets.
• libraries, community centres, and youth centres.
• indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, arcades and soft play facilities.
• communal places within parks, such as playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms.
• places of worship, except for funerals attended by immediate families.
• hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses for commercial/leisure use (excluding permanent residents and key workers).

Miss W Baldwin
North Curry Parish Council Clerk

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VE Weekend Events – POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

A programme of events has been planned in the parish for the Bank Holiday weekend 8-10th May to commemorate VE Day.

FRIDAY 8th (Bank Holiday)

1:00 – 4:00pm    Music in the Church

4:00 – 6:00pm  Tea party and celebrations at Greenway Pavilion. Bring a picnic, tables, chairs, gazebos to mark this occasion. Period dress optional. Come up and join us in a community gathering.

7:00pm  Ring for Peace, the bells of the church to join in with the national event.

SATURDAY 9th

2:00 – 4:00pm   May Fair in Church Road, North Curry

7:30pm   Village Choir concert in the Church

SUNDAY 10th

10:00am   Church service. All welcome.

If anyone is interested in joining the music events, please contact Terry on 490962, or Caroline 490677.

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Public consultation into proposed dredging of the River Parrett between Stathe and Burrowbridge

The scheme is being led for Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board (IDB), working closely with the Environment Agency and Natural England.

Two public drop-in sessions are being held next week:

  • Tuesday, 14 May 2019 at Burrowbridge Coronation Hall, West Yeo Road, Burrowbridge, TA7 0RH between 12 noon and 7pm
  • Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, Langport, TA10 9PN between 12 noon and 7pm

You can also find out more on the SRA and Parrett IDB websites:

https://www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk/public-consultation-river-parrett-begins-dredging-proposal/

There is also a feedback form, which gives full details of the proposed scheme and the consultation process, here.

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