We want to hear about your village news and events
The best way to tell us is through the contact form
here
Come and join us on our friendly new Upchurch Community 5K Run.
We will meet outside the Crown Pub in Upchurch village every Saturday, and the run will begin at 9:00am.
Please contact me (Andy Sambrook) at: nsdrunners@gmail.com if you are interested or search for the run club (NSD Runners) on Strava. My website is to follow.
Hopefully, if there is enough interest, I will also introduce another 5k run one evening during the week and a 10k run on Sunday morning... but let's see how it goes with the Saturday 5k first!
All runners of all ages and abilities are welcome :-)
Andy Sambrook
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
New Defibrillator
Swale Borough Council has given a grant towards a new Public Access Defibrillator for the village through its Defibrillator Grants Scheme to be installed on the outside wall at the Doctors Surgery in Oak Lane near the entrance. Further information will follow once it has been installed.
A Parish Council Public Access Defibrillator is in use 24 hours a day located at:
Snaffles Equestrian & Country Store, 2 - 4 The Street, Upchurch ME9 7AJ.
The Parish Council Public Access Defibrillator previously installed at the Three Sisters Public House will be relocated to Beckenham Park.
Holywell Primary School has a Defibrillator which is available in an emergency only when the school is open.
Vaccinations
The practice is focusing on Flu, Covid and Covid Boosters (for those 40 years and above), as well as Shingles vaccinations.
If you are due for any of the above vaccinations and have not heard from the NHS or your GP please contact the surgery - thank you.
Please visit the Government website for the latest COVID-19 advice and vaccination policy at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
Halloween
Not everyone enjoys or wants to take part in Halloween. If you know someone who would rather not have trick or treaters call at their home, you can download and print the 'no trick or treat' sign below for their front door or window.
If you have young children:
• Never let them go trick or treating on their own
• Make sure they only visit people known to your family
If you have teenagers:
• Make sure they are not going to be using alcohol or play a trick on someone using flour or eggs
• Make it clear that if a 'no trick or treat' sign is displayed, they should leave straight away
• Advise them to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don't know
• Make sure they know not to frighten people
Click the posters to download and print.
Fireworks
Celebrate safely
• Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals - always follow the firework code
• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5
It's an offence to:
• Sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18
• Have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
• Have fireworks meant for a professional display
• Let off fireworks after 11:00pm and before 7:00am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight),
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1:00am).
Fireworks - the law
You cannot buy ‘adult’ fireworks if you’re under 18, and it’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11:00pm and 7:00am, except on certain occasions.
Adult fireworks are category 2 and 3 fireworks - they do not include things like party poppers.
Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals.
The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
You must not set off fireworks between 11:00pm and 7:00am, except for:
• Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1:00am
Check with
your council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks.
Buying fireworks
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:
• 15th October to 10th November• 26th to 31st December• 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.
You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Need help?
Please only call 999 in an emergency. You can report a non-urgent incident or crime online
Alternatively, you can visit our advice pages for information and guidance on a range of issues.
Kent Police
The leader of Swale Borough Council has written to Southern Water to request a meeting to discuss concerns about pollution incidents and sewer outflows in the borough.
The letter follows a motion being agreed unanimously by the council earlier this month, demanding Southern Water invest in their local infrastructure to prevent pollution of local waterways and prevent sewerage discharges into local streets.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:
“As a coastal Borough, Swale relies heavily on tourism and any failures in water management by Southern Water can greatly impact on our local economy.
“Cases of highway and storm flooding are also on the rise and residents in some parts of the borough are living at risk of household flooding because of antiquated wastewater systems.
“We want to meet with Southern Water to discuss the state of their infrastructure in the borough, how it is managed and maintained, and what investment they have planned to prevent pollution incidents.
“We also want to know how they intend to tackle growing highways flooding issues and how they plan to meet increased demand from new housing in line with the local plan.”
The motion was passed at the full council meeting on Wednesday 6th October, and the full agenda is available on the council’s website
Swale Borough Council
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
Upchurch surgery will be closed on the afternoon/evening of Thursday 18th November 2021 but will be open between 10:00am and 1:00pm instead.
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
Flu vaccinations
The second batch of Flu vaccines has arrived, available to those 65 yrs and over: plus those vulnerable patients.
Please contact the surgery by telephone or call in to make a Flu vaccination appointment.
For those patients who are ‘house bound’, the surgery will contact you to make an appointment for a home visit.
Changes to Upchurch surgery times on 20th October
Upchurch surgery will be closed on the afternoon/evening of Wednesday 20th October 2021 but will be open between 10:00am and 1:00pm instead.
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
A night under the umbrellas with Jamie Johnson & Josh Roots
'Sheltered from the storm of baby loss'
During Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9 - 15th October, we will be displaying 400 pink and blue umbrellas which will hang from the ceiling of the beautiful setting of St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, Kent.
Standing together in the rain, we will remember all babies gone too soon with wooden personalised hearts which will hang from one of the 400 suspended umbrellas.
Jamie & Josh have kindly agreed to support us and raise awareness by performing an intimate gig at this amazing venue.
How to book:
1️⃣ Please make a £10 donation via the Virgin Money giving link👇
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MakingMiracles7years
2️⃣ When you make your donation, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU clearly state your name and code: ANWJJ
Date: Wednesday 13th October 2021
Time: Doors open at 7:00pm
Location: St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, Kent, ME8 8AN
Donation: £10 per person
We remember,
the babies born sleeping,
those we carried but never held,
those we held but could not take home,
those who came home but could not stay.
www.makingmiracles.org.uk
Team Making Miracles 💗 💙
Clubs, community groups, schools, and early years settings are being invited to apply for funding to provide extra activities that will help children and young people reconnect to their pre-pandemic lives.
The funding is being made available through the Kent County Council-led Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People programme and can be used for activities, events or local projects that address gaps in learning missed, promote health and happiness, encourage the take-up of sports or other outdoor activities, help children and young people reconnect with friends, family or communities or generate more work-related opportunities.
Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to open up this latest round of funding so that more children and young people can take part in activities that will help them get back to doing the things they love or trying new pursuits.
“In the summer, thousands of children and young people were able to enjoy activities provided by local clubs and community groups and funded by Reconnect grants. Feedback from young people about these activities was so positive and we would really encourage local community organisations, schools, and early years settings to take full advantage of this funding to reach even more children and young people in the county.”
Amounts of up to £2,000 are available to small groups and organisations, schools, and early years settings to run local projects or events, while larger community organisations can apply for up to £8,000.
Young people can also apply for up to £2,000 to run their own projects or events if they are supported by a youth hub or youth organisation.
The activities need to be inclusive and provide equal access to all children and young people between now and the end of August 2022. Full details of the application process, funding criteria and the online form to apply are available on the Reconnect website
Funding applications will be decided by the 12 Local Children’s Partnership Group (LCPG)
The closing date for applications is Sunday, October 24th.
Suz Elvey
Kent County Council
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
Flu vaccines are now available to those 65 yrs and over: plus those vulnerable patients.
Please contact the surgery to make an appointment.
For those patients who are ‘house bound’, the surgery will contact you to make an appointment for a home visit.
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
Local community groups can now apply for funding to cover the cost of buying and installing a public access defibrillator.
Swale Borough Council is making £20,250 available to encourage the installation of a public access defibrillator at village halls and community centres around Swale.
Local community groups can apply for up to £750 towards the cost of purchasing and installing the equipment that can help save someone’s life.
Public access defibrillators must be located in places fully accessible to the public 24/7. Applicants would also need to appoint a nominated person to maintain them.
All defibrillators must be purchased and installed by the end of March 2022.
Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, said:
“We’re making £20,250 available to support lifesaving equipment at village halls and community centres around Swale.
“Community groups and local organisations can apply for up to £750 to go towards the cost of purchasing and installing a public access defibrillator and housing cabinet.
“Defibrillators can provide lifesaving support to people in cardiac arrest. For every minute someone is in cardiac arrest without CPR and access to a defibrillator, their chances of survival drop by up to 10 per cent.
“With ambulance response times increasing, having a publicly accessible defibrillator nearby can mean the difference between life and death for someone in cardiac arrest.
“The grant scheme is now open, and I encourage any local group with a community building to head over to our website to see if you’re eligible.”
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
The following was discussed at the last PPG meeting:
There have been a number of staff changes over the last 6 months.
Notably, the practice nurse Bonnie Olsen left in April and has been replaced by Kate Goldup.
The practice has a 'Social Subscriber' now who will signpost patients to the relevant department.
The main focus in Medway and Swale this year will be on diabetes, cardio issues and lung cancer.
Practice programme
Individual nurses are now responsible for the following new clinics at Maidstone Road and Upchurch surgeries:
ECG’s - All nurses
Wound Clinic (apart from ongoing leg ulcers ) - All nurses
Mental Health - June East
Diabetic Checkups - Amanda Epps
Spirometry appointments are also available for patients with breathing difficulties.
Nurses have returned to doing face to face appointments.
Flu vaccination
The practice is expected to receive vaccines in mid-September and the surgery WILL CONTACT PATIENTS to make an appointment.
NB Please DO NOT telephone the surgery regarding your yearly flu jab, the surgery will contact you.
Patients who are 'house bound' will also be contacted regarding their flu jab.
Stay safe
Ray Kemsley
Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
Kent property developer Esquire Developments has installed a public use defibrillator at its recently completed Lupin Close development in Seymour Road, Rainham.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.
Modern AEDs have been designed to be simple for the layperson to use.
In a medical emergency
In a medical emergency, you must dial 999.
The 999 operator will assist and instruct the user, particularly with CPR, and provide the unlock code to open the defibrillator cabinet.
No training is required to use the defibrillator. The defibrillator will talk to the user giving them instructions on how to use it.
The 999 operator will also dispatch an ambulance.
The defibrillator is located at:
Lupin Close
Seymour Road
Rainham
Gillingham
Kent
ME8 8PY
Thanks to Esquire Developments and Andrew Deptford for their help and information.
Upchurch Matters
People who are self-isolating due to a positive covid test or being pinged by the NHS test and trace app can apply for practical support while they are unable to leave the house.
Swale Borough Council received almost £110,000 from Kent County Council (KCC) which is being used to fund nine local voluntary and community groups to help support local people who need to self-isolate.
Local charities, community groups and volunteer organisations will deliver a wide range of support from food and medication deliveries, to wellbeing calls and dog walking.
Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:
“We’re working with local organisations to fund the support people need to maintain their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while self-isolating.
“Citizens Advice Swale, Age UK’s Faversham, Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Swale CVS, Diversity House, Faversham Umbrella Centre, West Faversham Community Association, Strengthening Minds, Oasis Charity on Sheppey and the Salvation Army will be working directly with those needing support.
“Anybody that has to self-isolate can receive support towards goods and services such as dog walking, virtual counselling or therapy, mowing the lawn, food and medication deliveries, wellbeing calls and more.
“If you need support of any kind while self-isolating, contact Citizens Advice Swale who can direct you to the service provider best suited for your need.”
Mark Hinton, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Bureau, said:
“If you have to self-isolate and need any help you can self-refer yourself to us and we can help direct you to the relevant organisation.
“Unlike before, help and support is not means tested or based on being clinically vulnerable, so we encourage anybody who is self-isolating to contact us and see how we can help.
Clare Burgess Chief Executive from Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne, said:
“We’ve been supporting the local community since the pandemic began, providing the on the ground, day to day support that people need.
“We’ve delivered hot food, shopping and medicine, and provided wellbeing support including telephone calls and doorstep checks.
“Loneliness and isolation are real issues for lots of people and this has been heightened in the past year so it’s vital that we receive the funding we need to support people who are self-isolating.”
Swale Borough Council
FREE Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service helping households save water, energy and money!
My name is Stevie Pettitt and I am the Fuel and Water Adviser working out of Children and Families but paid for by Swale Borough Council.
This project has been funded by Swale Borough Council as part of their action on climate change and CO2 reduction.
The aim of this project is to tackle fuel and water poverty across the borough and reduce CO2 emissions, saving householders money and energy, improving the health of the household and improve the householders understanding of energy efficiency.
We are working with families that are in fuel poverty, these households live in the most deprived areas, the properties are generally privately rented or in a poor state of repair. We are working with the most vulnerable groups, children, the elderly, the disabled and families on low incomes. We are giving FREE energy packs to householders who book a free consultation (chat) with me that contain swell gels, timers, LED light bulbs, draught-proofing, radiator panels, humidifiers, waste caddy bags and water hippos, to encourage householders to take further steps to save fuel.
This project is open to all households, not just households considered to be in fuel and water poverty.
I work with households to switch tariff, apply for grants and support with utility debts. We give money-saving and energy-saving advice.
We are trusted partners of Southern Water and Southeast Water and work with both water companies to ensure households are on the correct water tariff and are having great success working with the water companies and householders to reduce water debt as well as usage.
On average most householders save a minimum of 20% on their annual water bills and switching tariff saves the householder approximately £190.00 a year.
As energy prices are set to rise in September and the warm homes discount is opening in October it is important that as many households as possible are informed of the help and support that is available to them before the energy price hike.
For more information on how to access our Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service please contact:
Stevie Pettitt - Fuel and Water Home Adviser
Address: Children and Families Ltd | Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW
Hi everyone,
You know me as the lady from the church, who stands in the lay-by collecting your donations for the FOODBANK. I know how generous you are, so could you help me again?
This won't cost you anything, all I ask is that you SIGN my petition and SHARE it.
You are already aware that people are struggling because you help them every month. The people we help are struggling to feed their families. Their struggle will get worse in September. Why! In September the government will cancel the extra £20 a week, they gave people on benefits, to help get them through the consequences of the pandemic.
They have been receiving this for over a year. Can you imaging what it will mean to families already struggling, already on the bread line, already the poorest in our communities, if the government go ahead and take away £20 a week, £80 a month.
Could your income survive that?
Don't get me wrong I KNOW we have financial problems because of Covid. I know there are many people tugging at the purse strings of the government. I know nurses, teachers, and many others deserve a fairer salary, but please don't let the government take this £20 away.
They can't try to salvage our economy on the backs of the poorest in our country. This surely can't be right.
September brings the start of the new school year - children need uniforms, shoes and coats. Sometimes the heating has to go on (if you are lucky enough to be able to afford it and can still afford it after home energy prices rise again in October). Rents will go unpaid, more families will be evicted, more families will be having to rely on the FOODBANK.
Please help me make the government have a re-think.
And please SHARE it.
Thank you
Gill Gay
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a seven-week public consultation on a proposal to relocate Ruby Ward - the one remaining ‘dormitory’ style inpatient mental health ward from Medway Maritime Hospital to a new purpose-built unit in Maidstone.
Have your say
Information can also be requested in hard copy by calling: 01634 335095 and selecting option 2 for the Engagement Team or Emailing: kmccg.engage@nhs.net
The consultation runs until midnight on 21st September 2021.
There are several opportunities for patients, the public and staff to get involved, including virtual public meetings and face-to-face drop-in exhibitions. We will publish more information about these opportunities shortly.
In addition, the CCG will carry out telephone polling and targeted focus group discussions to ensure a wide range of views are captured.
We hope you will take the opportunity to provide a response to the consultation and let people in your contact groups know that it is taking place so that as many people’s views as possible can be considered as part of the decision-making process.
Next steps
After the consultation ends, an independent agency will compile and review the consultation feedback.
This will be presented at an extraordinary meeting of the CCG’s Governing Body on 28th October 2021.
If the proposals are approved, the new unit is expected to be commissioned to be ready by December 2022.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Ray Kemsley
On behalf of NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
We always want to improve our services and make sure they work well for everyone who uses them.
We want to know what works well, and how can we improve what doesn’t work so well for people that have experience of the NHS Kent and Medway wheelchair service, the NHS and council community equipment services and the technology enabled care services.
Our aim is for the NHS, councils and other partners to work better together which could benefit and improve each of these services to meet people’s needs, increase independence and improve people’s quality of life.
We need to understand people’s experience of these services and hear the views and knowledge from people who have access to these services. So we invite people who have used any of these services directly or as a family member, carer, charity, advocate or as a professional stakeholder - to take part in the online surveys below.
The surveys are short - so won’t take long, and if you use one or more of the services we would appreciate it if you complete a survey for each of the services you have used.
The surveys start on 20th July and will close on 15th September 2021.
If you would prefer a printed copy or an easy read version or would like to give feedback over the telephone, please Email your request to: kmccg.engage@nhs.net
Please feel free to share this message and our website with others who you think may be interested in taking part as we would like to hear from as many people as possible across Kent and Medway.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback.
Ray Kemsley
On behalf of NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
Councillor Roger Truelove.
Following the ending of most restrictions brought in to combat the spread of Covid-19, the leader of Swale Borough Council is calling for people to use their common sense to keep each other safe.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:
“We have to recognise that the Government has removed practically all of the regulations introduced to stop the spread of the Covid virus.
“However, we are acutely conscious that infection rates are rising rapidly, so that our latest figures for Swale were reported at 285 per 100,000 yesterday, and continue to rise.
“In many settings we need people to use their common sense and maintain the need for social distancing, wearing masks and following good hygiene practices.
“Whilst there are no enforcement powers, we know that many businesses will continue to request people take sensible precautions and I urge people to follow them as they are in place to protect their staff and customers. There is also a vital need to continue with good practice in health settings.
“We all need to stay cautious, not just for ourselves but for each other, and remember whether immunised or not, many people remain extremely vulnerable to this virus.”
Swale Borough Council
The video might not be visible in our Email version of this post.
STEP 4
From today, England will move to the next step of the roadmap.
Everyone should be cautious while managing the risks as cases of Covid-19 remain high.
While the Government is lifting restrictions on Monday (19th July), it has asked that everyone continues to act carefully and remain cautious in their approach to everyday life.
That is especially true for healthcare services; where some patients don’t have as much immunity to the virus as others.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Nurse Paula Wilkins said:
“The virus has not gone away and we must do all we can to protect patients and staff from it and keep it under control.’’
All healthcare settings in Kent and Medway will keep the current infection prevention and control (IP&C) measures that are already in place.
That means:
• Masks will still need to be worn by patients, visitors, staff and anyone else entering a healthcare setting (unless you are medically exempt) - this includes hospitals, clinics and GP practices.
• Masks will also continue to be worn by healthcare staff entering a patient’s home.
• Social distancing will remain - both in waiting rooms and in wards beyond 19th July.
• A flow of fresh air will be encouraged in all healthcare buildings.
• Some restrictions managing visitor numbers may still apply - this may vary depending on space available and other service specific issues, hospitals will provide clear information on any visiting restrictions.
• You may need to have your temperature taken when you go into a healthcare setting.
Each healthcare provider may have further local approaches to keep people safe, so please check on site for these.
We understand this may be frustrating for some people who do not wish to wear a mask or socially distance, but this is for the benefit of everyone; please don’t abuse NHS staff who are here to protect and care for patients and their loved ones.
Paula said:
“Please remember that having both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine offers the best protection against the virus; it is, however, still possible to contract Coronavirus, so anything we can do to protect each other and ourselves remains vitally important. We know that having two doses also decreases household transmission by up to half.’’
• Please continue to regularly wash your hands or use hand sanitiser, avoid touching your face if you can and remember not to get too close to people - hands, face, space.
• Continue to regularly self-test; free kits are available from www.nhs.uk
If anyone hasn’t yet been vaccinated, it is really quick and easy to grab a jab.
