Coronavirus update 30 September 2021
|
|
A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
This week we’ve all been concerned by the situation at fuel station forecourts, which has affected the day-to-day lives of many of us.
While I hope that the situation will ease very shortly, I want to reassure people that the council has robust contingency plans to ensure essential services to our community continue to be delivered.
So far we haven’t seen any significant disruption in our ability to do this, but the situation changes hour-by-hour and so we will continue to monitor things very closely and act accordingly.
Today we say goodbye to the council’s Head of Heritage Services, Stephen Bird, MBE, who is retiring after more than 40 years of service. I want to put on record my thanks to Stephen who has overseen the transformation of our Roman Baths into one of the country’s top heritage attractions. He and his team have made sure that we are at the forefront of innovation, as we see in the fantastic new Archway project now taking shape. Over the last eighteen months Stephen has also managed the impacts of the pandemic on our heritage attractions with great skill, sensitivity and care. We wish him well in his retirement.
The impact of Covid-19 can be felt everywhere ‒ but support is available. We have just launched a new website that has a wealth of information, support and signposting for parents, families and carers. The Live Well B&NES directory is a great resource and we are encouraging organisations, groups or event organisers who have not yet registered to join it, to do so. Please also remember our Community Wellbeing Hub, where you can find a range of services that will help you stay safe and well, and improve your health and wellbeing.
Tomorrow, Councillor Manda Rigby, the cabinet member for Transport, Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Economic Development and Resources, and I are meeting Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, Michelle Donelan, MP for Chippenham, and Wiltshire Council leader Councillor Richard Clewer and his cabinet member for Highways, Councillor Mark McClelland. We are hosting the meeting and will be discussing the wider North-South traffic issues for our region and how we can work together to resolve them.
Have a good weekend.
|
|
| These are the latest Covid case figures for B&NES – please play your part to drive the number down. |
|
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine
If you're 16 or over, you can get your vaccine in any of the following ways:
All children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and guardians will receive a letter with information about when the vaccine will be offered. Most children will be given their vaccine at school. Some children are being offered two doses of the vaccine if they either:
- live with someone who is more likely to get infections, such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- have a condition that means they're at high risk from COVID-19
If your child is eligible for two doses of the vaccine, you'll be contacted by a local NHS service such as their GP surgery to arrange their appointments. Find out more about which children are eligible for 2 doses on nhs.uk.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people on GOV.UK. |
|
COVID-19 vaccination bus mobile drop-in clinics
The council’s mobile Covid-19 vaccination bus is currently traveling to various locations across Bath and Radstock.
If you're 16 or over and have not yet had your first or second Covid-19 vaccination dose, come to one of our mobile drop-in clinics without an appointment.
Please be aware these clinics are offering Pfizer vaccines only. If you would like to attend one of the drop-ins to have your second dose, your first dose must have been Pfizer and more than 8 weeks ago.
To see the vaccination bus timetable, please click here. More walk-in clinics can also be found on the NHS website. |
|
COVID-19 booster vaccines
The NHS is offering a booster vaccine dose to people most at risk from Covid-19 who have already had two doses of the vaccine.
Protection given by the Covid-19 vaccine decreases over time. A booster dose helps give you longer protection against getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
If you are eligible for a booster (see below), you will be offered it at least six months after you had your second dose.
The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have a booster dose. It's important not to contact the NHS for one before they contact you.
Groups eligible for a booster vaccine include:
- people aged 50 and over
- people who live and work in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19
- carers aged 16 and over
- people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose. To find out more about COVID-19 booster vaccines, please visit the NHS website. |
|
 Covid-19 rapid testing
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our mobile testing van and drop in to pick up your test kits if it's in your area. The van’s locations are published on our website and you can just turn up and have a supervised test or collect test kits to take home. Trained outreach workers will also answer questions about testing, support to self-isolate, vaccination or other Covid-19 queries.
Please remember: the test and collect van and the new test and collect hub on New Bond Street are only for people who are asymptomatic only. Please do not attend one of these locations if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19. Please take a PCR test instead.
You can also pick up test kits from our libraries in: Timsbury, Radstock, Bishop Sutton, Weston, Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and also Bath One Stop Shop. |
|
First Climate & Biodiversity Festival a success
The council’s first ever Climate & Biodiversity Festival saw hundreds of residents taking the opportunity to learn from and inspire each other on ways to reduce carbon emissions and restore nature. |
|
Applications open for community funding to prevent and reduce violence
Grants for projects which make communities safer are now available for the second year running from the Bath and North East Somerset Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership. |
|
Work underway on new Chew Valley Lake trail
More people will soon be able to enjoy the beauty of Chew Valley Lake with work on a new 2.7km walking and cycling trail now underway. |
|
Last chance to apply to EU settlement scheme
EU citizens living in Bath and North East Somerset who have not yet registered with the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme are being urged to do so as soon as possible. |
|
Council meeting calendar
Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings. |
|
Latest Government guidance
|
|
Guidance for people previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
The shielding programme has now ended in England. |
|
Hardship arrangements for those unable to pay for managed quarantine or testing
Details of financial support if you can’t afford the managed quarantine and testing fees associated with travel. Find out who is eligible and how to apply. |
|
Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too.
For updates on our services visit our website. |
|
Live Well B&NES adults
A brand-new, web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to residents in Bath & North East Somerset has launched.
Live Well B&NES provides a wealth of useful information, signposting and resources for families, including Ofsted registered childcare, children and young people with additional needs (our SEND Local Offer) and adults needing care or support to live independently.
Information, services and groups are regularly added to Live Well B&NES. If you work with, support, provide services or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support (such as older people, adults with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, people living with mental ill health), and haven’t already registered - make sure you’re included! It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register.
Find out more:
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/
www.facebook.com/livewellbathnes
www.instagram.com/Youth_Info_Bathnes |
|
Future Bright
Do you know someone who is in work and wants to take the next step in their career? Future Bright offers FREE careers coaching, support and access to training. Future Bright Careers Coaches work with local residents to develop the skills and confidence needed to improve their work and pay. Check out the Future Bright newsletter to read about those who have already benefitted from the project.
For more information go to www.futurebright.org.uk or give us a call 01225 395555. |
|
Specialised dementia groups in B&NES
Age UK Bath & North East Somerset are starting two new specialised Dementia Groups, which are now running weekly in Midsomer Norton & Bath.
These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Staff are trained in Maintenance Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which helps concentration, confidence, memory and wellbeing.
You can find out more here or call 01225 466135. |
|
Do you look after someone else?
If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you.
Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 8:15am-12pm, every weekday. |
|
Support available from the Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub, including those people who are isolating due to testing positive for Covid-19 or being in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Originally a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; Virgin Care; the 3SG; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and other third sector organisation representatives, the team can offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight.
Residents who want to get back to work or change career can now get tailored advice on training and upskilling from a new Employment and Skills Pod. The Pod has been set up by the council and its partners to help people identify the type of job they could do, refer them to training opportunities and gain work experience.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: CWHBanes@virgincare.co.uk
Website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Text: 07870 868368
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until 5pm
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email Council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk |
|
Domestic abuse
Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here. |
|
Sight loss support
Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. Since lockdown this has been either online or over the phone. Now following careful planning, some Covid-secure face-to-face support sessions are resuming on an appointment only basis.
Your Community Sight Loss Adviser will be available at Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath on the first Wednesday each month and at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on the 4th Thursday each month.
To find out more, or make an appointment please call 0117 3224885 or email For more information on the full range of services visit www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
For more useful information visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk/ |
|
Local agencies and useful links
We have been working closely with local agencies and if you would like to find out more about their work please look on their website: RUH, Avon and Somerset Police, Curo, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.
- Public Health England updates a daily dashboard: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ It includes deaths that have occurred in all settings where there has been a positive Covid-19 test, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
- Latest information on coronavirus: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS information on coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ |
|
Tune in
Local radio is a great way of keeping up to date with essential information, if you don’t already you should tune into BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Somerset or BBC Radio Wiltshire. |
|
Somer Valley FM covers Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and surrounding villages including Farrington, Paulton, Peasedown, Coleford and Stratton.
Broadcast online and on 97.5fm you can contact at studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411 755 |
|
| Bath Radio is a community radio station which has been operating as a hospital radio station for the past 50 years. It now broadcasts to the wider Bath community. Listen online. |
|
| Radio Bath provides local news and information, promotes the city and supports its businesses, charities and community organisations. |
|
Keynsham’s KTCRfm 105.8FM is now broadcasting 24/7.
KTCRfm covers Keynsham, Saltford, Hanham, Bitton, Warmley, Clutton, Timsbury, the Chew Valley and as far south as Temple Cloud. East to the eastern edge of Bath. North across South Gloucestershire to the M4 corridor and west into many parts of Bristol. |
|
|
BA1 Radio have been established for a year in Bath and operate from a studio in Southside Youth Hub, broadcasting twelve hours of shows every weekday, focusing on Bath and the local community, including hourly news reports.
website: www.BA1Radio.org
call: 01225 941 080
|
|
|
|
