This update only contains the new content that was added to the SitRep today, in no particular order. For the full SitRep, please go to https://oxfordvirusaction.wixsite.com/home/sitrep
Carers' ID: Oxfordshire County Council is supporting informal carers during the current Covid-19 pandemic by offering Carers' ID. The scheme is aimed at those people who are providing care and support for youngsters and adults known to OCC Social Care, and can be issued to paid carers as well as volunteers, provided that the person being supported is known to Adult Social Care services as being at risk. The Council can then provide a simple letter of authority which can be presented, if challenged, whilst out and about, and to assist when making purchases for the supported person. Contact carerid@oxfordshire.gov.ukfor further information.
Oxford Food Bank has reopened, offering a limited service. That are not able to receive visitors or accept new volunteers. Charities in need of food should contact Cathy on info@oxfordfoodbank.org. Anyone wishing to donate food should contact Emma on admin@oxfordfoodbank.org, or call 07856 610368.
Local charity SOFEA run community larders for free emergency food packages across Oxfordshire. They are in Didcot (Monday, Marlborough Club 227 The Broadway OX11 8RU 2:30-5:00); Berinsfield (Wednesday, The Berin Centre, Berinsfield, OX10 7LZ 2:30-5:00), Abingdon (Friday, Abingdon The Carousel Family Centre, Abingdon, OX14 5GZ 3:30-5:00) and Chipping Norton (The Branch (Old Natwest bank), 14 Market Place, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NA 2:30-5:00)
Money Saving Expert have a dedicated part of their page with advice and guidance on how to do the best you can with current finances, from mortgage holidays to claiming on cancelled events. This can be found here
Rose Hill and Donnington Advice Centre are still operating, offering a telephone advice and support service to anyone living in our catchment area (Rose Hill, Donnington, Littlemore and Iffley) who needs help with issues relating to debt, welfare benefits and housing. Our service is open 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday-Thursday. Call 01865 438634.
Have you had Covid-19? If you're within 28 days of recovery, please consider donating plasma to help treat others! More information on this clinical trial here: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/convalescent-plasma-clinical-trial/
Public Health England advice translated: Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Urdu, and Romani resources can be downloaded here: https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/stay-home-save-lives/resources/translations/
Diabetes hotline: local NHS trusts have set up a new dedicated diabetes hotline for patients who need urgent clinical advice during the Covid-19 pandemic. The number is 01865 857357 - 8am-4pm, seven days a week. Outside these hours, please call 0300 3047777. Patients can also email dsnop.ocdem@nhs.net. For more information, see https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/new-hotline-designed-to-help-patients-with-diabetes-during-covid-19-pandemic/
Are you a key worker who needs a bike? Sustrans has created an interactive map to help you find offers and services, including free Brompton folding bikes for NHS workers, bike shops open in your area, and the Tour de Thanks network (linking people lending and donating bikes to key workers who need them). See https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/cycles-for-key-workers/.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - WHAT DOES #STAYATHOME LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Oxford is My Home’ is a zine produced by Oxford Poetry Library and Open House Oxford to tell the hidden stories of housing and homelessness in Oxford and what it means to call this city ‘home’. For our third issue, we want to know what #StayatHome looks like for you? How are you spending your days? Who are you with? Are you enjoying yourself? What are you worried about? What do you miss about being able to leave your home? You can submit poems, stories, pictures, comic strips, or any other creative reflection which you can figure out a way of getting to us. Email us at oxfordismyhomezine@gmail.com. Ring us on 0800 0096754 and leave a message and we’ll transcribe your story or poem.
Deadline: 11 May. Please keep written submissions within 500 words. See https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.wordpress.com/issue-3-the-quaranzine-edition/ for inspiration. Letter writing project: Can you spare some time to write to elderly people in residential homes, where visits are no longer possible? To sign up, please email shiptonhub20@gmail.com. You will then be given some instructions on what to do with your letter once complete, and a name to write to. Mental health: Oxfordshire Mind has compiled a list of numbers to call in a mental health crisis, including the Oxford Safe Haven (01865 903037) and Banbury Safe Haven (01295 270004), which offer out-of-hours support (Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun, 6pm-10pm). See https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/help/crisis-help/ for more resources. Health: If you are unwell, please seek help. GP surgeries are still open for telephone consultations and you will be seen in person if absolutely necessary. A&E is still available for people who need to be there, whatever your age. See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/getting-medical-help-at-home/ for more information.
Another coronavirus scam: If you receive a text message telling you that "Someone who came in contact with you tested positive or has shown symptoms for COVID 19 and recommends you self-isolate/get tested. More at [LINK]", do not click the link. No contact tracing app has yet been introduced in the UK, so this is a scam.
Food deliveries: Wild Honey (Summertown and East Oxford) are now doing home deliveries for vulnerable/self-isolating customers. Fruit, veg, cheese, flour, bread, and more - including hand sanitiser. Minimum order £50, free deliveries within the ring road for orders over £100 (otherwise £5). Email matt@wildhoneylove.com. See https://www.facebook.com/wildhoneyhealth/ for more information. The Government has released new guidance on funerals - more people can now attend funerals as long as social distncing guidelines are observed. You can see the new guidelines at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/guidance-updated-to-support-the-safe-management-of-funerals
The furlough scheme through which businesses can claim back the wages of their staff is now up and running - you can find out more and apply at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-up-and-running
BBC Bitesize and Oak National Academy are both providing daily lessons for children who are missing school - they can be accessed at https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize and https://www.thenational.academy/
Oxford County Council has made further changes to its addiction recovery, weight management and sexual health services - https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/coronavirus/public_health_wellbeing_covid19_0.pdf
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