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  • Writer's pictureMori Reithmayr

SitRep Update 16

Date: April 7, 2020.


This update only contains the new content that was added to the SitRep today. For the full SitRep, please go to https://oxfordvirusaction.wixsite.com/home/sitrep


Witney Community Fridge is available for anyone in need of food to pick up a prepacked bag of fresh fruit/veg/bread. You can pick up food on Tues, Thurs, Sun from 11:30am-12pm outside Witney Community Support Service. We sometimes have bonus openings on other days which are advertised at https://www.facebook.com/WitneyFridge. We are now offering delivery for anyone who is self-isolating AND on a low income – email witneyfridgedeliveries@gmail.com to request, it will be delivered by Witney Land Army volunteers.

Oxford Mail have compiled a list of Oxfordshire charities that continue to offer mental health support, their contact details and opening times at Link

For a list of further services for domestic abuse victims, see here: Link.

Tesco may ask people to stay in cars in car parks in order to queue. There will be floor markings in car parks as well as outside some stores and at checkout. Hand sanitisers are being placed around stores for customers and colleagues to use, as well as extra cleaning products to wipe down a trolley or basket.

The Government is increasing the Working Tax Credit (WTC) and Child Benefits from the 6th of April - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/increase-to-working-tax-credits-what-this-means

The Government has compiled a list of educational resources for both homes and schools to use during the lockdown - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources

The Government is running free webinars for business-owners affected by the crisis - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-your-business-is-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

A new service in Cherwell is connecting local running and cycling clubs with pharmacies to get supplies of medication to vulnerable residents - https://t.co/Q9at0CZipY?amp=1

Young Minds UK are running a helpline for parents concerned about a child's mental health - Call 0808 802 5544, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm

Oxford Covid-19 Mutual Aid and Oxford Living Wage are working together to respond to the virus crisis. If you're having trouble at work, please get in touch for advice and support. "Are you still working at Oxford University or one of its colleges? Are you a current or former employee sent home because of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you experiencing any issues at work -- including a reduction of pay or hours, a lack of personal protective equipment, or intimidation? The Oxford Living Wage Campaign wants to hear from you. We are working together with trade unions and leaders in the city to demand that the University and Colleges guarantee all workers full wages, sick pay, job security, and health and safety during the crisis, regardless of contract type or migration status. All communication will remain confidential unless you wish to publicly share your story. Contact us at oxfordworkerjustice@gmail.com".

Accommodation link-up for NHS staff: Orthopaedic surgeon Joseph Alsousou, who was evicted by his landlady, has set up a service to match NHS workers looking for rooms with individuals and organisations who can help. If you need a room, can offer a room, or can volunteer your time to help with site design, data processing, or campaign advertising, please get in touch through https://www.rooms4nhs.com/

The Porch Day Centre has been working amazingly hard since the start of the crisis to support homeless and vulnerably housed people in Oxford, cooking and distributing food every day of the week, providing sanitary products and other essential items, and doing welfare checks. They are having to close the centre and adapt it to provide street outreach services only, and are in urgent need of funds to do so. Please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ThePorch-Covid-19-ResponseFund to help them reach their £20,000 target.

Loneliness: The Wolvercote and Wytham Friendly Line has gained so much support that it's now the Oxford Friendly Line, with volunteers available for a chat wherever you live in Oxford and whatever your situation. Call 01865 570235 between 10am and 4pm, any day of the week. To find out more and to sign up to volunteer yourself (there can never be too many), go to https://wytham-village.org.uk/index.php/friendly-line/friendly-line-signup

More healthcare staff are driving due to public transport restrictions and thousands of volunteers and NHS retirees are joining them on the frontline, which is overloading many hospital car parks. This means there is a scarcity of parking spaces. For any of you who have a parking space/driveway/garage, you can offer it free to NHS staff on www.justpark.com. Also www.yourparkingspace.co.uk is offering the same option.

If you have a referral, from 3 April, you will be able to request up to 3 parcels/yr from the Community Emergency Foodbank (CEF; http://www.cefoxford.co.uk/ for information on referrals).


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