All our help and information for 27/04/2020 is now available in a single place on the SCC website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/
This page is refreshed through the day so please check in regularly to keep across developments and news.
Thank you, Somerset!
Thousands of volunteers, community organisations, charities and all five local authorities have been tirelessly helping people in Somerset get the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Spark Somerset is a key partner and now has more than 1,200 Corona Helper volunteers signed-up. Visit https://www.corona-helpers.co.uk/ for more information. The Community Council of Somerset’s (CCS) Village Agents are also playing a vital role and have undertaken more than 32,400 community support activities since 23 March.
Meanwhile, in every corner of Somerset, local community groups have sprung into action to help with a range of tasks – from shopping and providing meals, to sewing face masks or mowing lawns.
To date, more than 300 food parcels have been distributed across Somerset from district hubs as well as more than 1,700 shield parcels from central government.
Highways Heroes due to start vital maintenance works on A39
Our highways heroes are out and about around the county continuing to carry out vital maintenance works in order to keep the roads maintained for key workers and emergency services.
Next month our teams are due to start important resurfacing works on the A39 Bath Road near Bridgwater.
All highways maintenance teams are classed as essential workers and will be following advice from Public Health England at all sites in order to keep themselves and the public safe.
Other essential works include:
- Resurfacing
- Surface Dressing
- Grass Cutting
- Key safety works like filling potholes
Health and wellbeing tip
With current social movement restrictions in places, it has never been more important to have a grasp on all aspects of your health and wellbeing. One You Somerset is offering a personalised health score through a 10-minute quiz to act as a baseline for health and wellbeing. Once you have your score, visit the Healthy Somerset website to get some support and direction in your next steps along your healthy journey: https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/covid-19/
How Are You is for over 18s only and is only designed to point you in the right direction. It’s not a medical assessment – if you’re worried about your health you should speak to a health professional. To start the quiz, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/how-are-you-quiz/
New NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens
Less than three weeks since work started, NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens today. Based at University of West of England Frenchay campus, it will provide up to 300 intensive care beds for coronavirus patients, if local services need them. The new facility is one of seven Nightingale hospitals set up around the country as part of a massive NHS effort to respond to the greatest global health emergency in more than a century.
Remembering the workers we’ve lost
Tomorrow at 11am a minute’s silence will be held to commemorate lost workers who have died from coronavirus. Please consider downing tools for a minute to pay tribute to those up and down the country who have died in the effort to save lives and care for people. People are also being encouraged to light a candle on the night of 28 April. Take a photo of your candle, and with a caption about who you’re remembering and post it on social media using the hashtag #IWMD20.
Unclaimed Small Business Grants still available
One-off small business grant funding of up to £10,000 and grants for retail, hospitality and leisure of up to £25,000 are still available from district councils for eligible businesses who haven’t yet made a claim to help meet their ongoing business costs. If you haven’t heard from your district council please go online here to find details about how to claim these cash grants and to find the application forms.