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
Oxfordshire All In have compiled accessible Coronavirus-related resources here
Call for volunteers: Are you a furloughed chef? The Porch is looking for two chefs to help cook meals for homeless people on Mondays in East Oxford, 8am to 3pm. If you can help, please email comms@oxfordmutualaid.org.
Call for volunteers: Victims First is recruiting Emotional Support Service Volunteers to help victims of crime in the Thames Valley area. If you have excellent listening skills and the ability to empathise with people from diverse backgrounds, and can commit to a minimum involvement of 18 months, please get in touch on 01844 487989 or admin@vfess.org.uk. Full training, expenses, and a mobile phone provided. See https://www.victims-first.org.uk/what-we-do/get-involved/ for full details.
Cooking for the vulnerable: Do you know anyone who can no longer manage to cook for themselves? Oxford Mutual Aid, University College, Dementia Oxfordshire, and Age UK are teaming up to provide simple hot meals for distribution across the city to both elderly and homeless people. See https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/news/univ-chefs-feeding-the-vulnerable/ to find out more and go to https://opencollective.com/oxford-mutual-aid to donate to support this project. To ask for support for yourself or another person, go to https://oxfordmutualaid.org/support/
Mental health: The Help Hub has been set up to support isolated people through the Covid-19 crisis. Qualified counsellors can provide support via Skype, FaceTime, or phone. See https://www.thehelphub.co.uk/ for more details and to book an appointment. If you are a therapist or counsellor and would like to volunteer, you can submit your details here: https://www.thehelphub.co.uk/volunteer/
Domestic Abuse: Thames Valley Police has updated information on the "silent solution" (calling 999 and pressing 55) here: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/silentsolution Please remember: if you possibly can, please give your location in a 999 call.
Cyclox and Active Oxfordshire are raising funds to provide 100 free bikes to key workers in Oxfordshire. If you can help them reach their target of £10,000, please donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bikesforkeyworkers The money raised will cover safety checks by professional mechanics; locks and other gear; and transportation costs. A donation of £20 will cover locks and lights for one bike.
Oxfordshire Period Drive is seeking to raise £500 to buy more sanitary products for people in need, in isolation, or both. They are currently sourcing supplies for a mental health charity and new mothers. If you can help, please donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/oxfordshire-period-drive
Updated opening times - The Refill Shop at Flo's - The Place in the Park (Florence Park, Rymers Lane, OX4 3JZ): Flo's is now open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 12.30-6pm. Please bring your own containers if you can. Essential foodstuffs, cleaning supplies, and baby products available. Proceeds go towards supporting community projects.
Government food parcels: Are you receiving these and don't need them? Please do not de-register on the government shielding site as you may lose other support such as priority supermarket delivery slots. This will be either Brakes or Bidfords. To stop deliveries, contact them (Brakes) here or (Bidfords) here. To get unwanted parcels to people who need them more, please donate to a food bank or other charity. The Gatehouse is providing food to the homeless and vulnerably housed and would really appreciate the support - contact them on 01865 792999 (Monday to Friday, 5-7pm, Sundays 4-6pm) or admin@oxfordgatehouse.org.
Are you (or do you know) an independent local food producer struggling to get products to market? Cultivate Oxford has an online order system and delivery service which can help. See https://cultivateoxford.org/ or email info@cultivateoxford.org
Avoid crowded supermarkets: the Crowdless app has been designed to give users real-time information on the busyness of particular supermarkets. See https://crowdlessapp.co/app/ for full details and downloads.
Mini is to resume production at Cowley Oxford plant. See here.
More than 1,000 Oxford businesses waiting for coronavirus help from the UK government. See here.
Latest health advice can be found at the NHS Oxfordshire website: Link
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 link. You can use your internet device to contact your GP, order prescriptions online, manage long-term health conditions and, maintain your physical and mental wellbeing. See here. How long does it take to recover from Coronavirus? Recovery time depends on how sick you became in the first place. Some people will shrug off the illness fast but, for others it could leave lasting problems. Age, class, race, gender and other health issues all increase the risk of being more seriously ill from COVID-19. The more invasive the treatment you received, and the longer it is performed, the longer recovery is likely to take.
Admiral Car Insurance are rewarding their car and van insurance customers for staying home by giving back a total of £110 million. Customers do not need to do anything to receive their refund, it will be given automatically. Admiral are doing this to reflect the fact there have been fewer cars on the road since lockdown began and, they expect this to result in fewer claims. The Cabin Office figures suggest there has been a 63% fall in road traffic.
The County Council is inviting everyone to get involved in this year's online May Morning celebrations - here. Share memories, pictures and videos using the hashtag #MayMorning. From 6am tomorrow, a pre-recorded video of the choir will be streamed on Magdalen College’s Facebook page. And at 8am the community band Horns of Plenty will play ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ from their respective homes and are asking residents to join in.
