Important Contacts for Support While Self-isolating | Coronavirus Scammers Active in Kent

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Coronavirus / COVID-19 - Scammers active in Kent

Scammers and criminals are already looking for opportunities to scam people as a result of the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic. Happily, there are many more stories of kindness and generosity but we want to make people aware of the scams as they emerge - which they seem to be on a daily basis.

We have received reports from Kent Police of people door-knocking and claiming to be from the Health Authority.

What happens:

• The criminal knocks on your door.

• They claim to be from the Health Authority.

• They offer to do COVID-19 testing on residents.

• There are also reports of the criminal offering to take the residents temperature.

THIS IS A SCAM!

What to do:

• Do not let them in.

• Do not allow them to take any money or details from you.

• Report to Kent Police on 101.

• If you ask them to leave and they don't, contact the police on 999.

Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.

Be cautious - Scammers take advantage

Report

There has been a report of an elderly Kent resident who lost money when they gave their bank card to someone who offered to do some shopping for them. They received one of these cards through their door and an individual offered to help, however, they actually stole money from the resident and were not seen again.

Payment

Don’t ever give your bank or card details to anyone, even if you think you know them very well. You could either agree to pay in cash after they have delivered the shopping or pay them online if you have the facility to do so. Or maybe you could agree another method of payment - but never give your bank or card details.

Contacts

If you are self-isolating, you could contact one of these organisations for help and support: 

Age UK  0800 678 1602
Asthma UK  0300 222 5800
BHF  0300 330 3311
Diabetes UK  0345 123 2399
Mind  0300 123 3393
Scope  0808 800 3333
The Silver Line  0800 470 8090

Contact Details

For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact:

Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133
Consumer Advice scams action line on 0808 250 5050
Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Kent County Council Public Protection

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An Important Message from Upchurch's Co-op

I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this difficult and worrying time.

We are receiving 5 deliveries a week of chilled lines and daily deliveries of grocery and bread.

Our supplies into store are limited so we have put restrictions on quantities for key essentials. This is solely so we can supply as much of our community as possible.

Thank you

David Davies
Manager - Upchurch's Co-op

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MEETING CANCELLED - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah

The next PPG meeting at 12:00pm on Thursday 16th April 2020 has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

If you have any questions or suggestions on the local practice, please Email:

Jan Bunting - Secretary: janannbunting@outlook.com or 

Ray Kemsley - Chair: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

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Medway Council - Older and Disabled People Bus Pass Restrictions Lifted

Older and disabled people will be able to use their bus passes before 9:00am in Medway.

In Medway, the passes will be able to be used on services provided by Arriva, Nu-Venture and ASD Coaches before 9:00am.

In Kent, residents will be able to use the passes on services provided by Stagecoach, Arriva, Go Coach and Nu-Venture before 9.30am.

Holders of a senior citizen and disabled bus pass were previously able to travel for free on buses after 9:00am, but following discussions with these operators, this condition has been removed.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, said:

“I would like to thank all of the operators who have worked with us to extend the use of the bus passes. This will help older residents access shops which are opening early for them. We are committed to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community as well as supporting residents with critical day-to-day services.”

The change will come into place tomorrow morning (Thursday, 19th March).

Medway Council and Kent County Council have a duty to provide passes for free bus travel throughout England for older and disabled people under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).

Medway Council

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KCC - Older and Disabled Bus Passes Can be Used Before 9:30am

Cllr Michael Payne.

Older and disabled people will be able to use their bus passes before 9:30am, Kent County Council has announced.

The passes will be able to be used on services provided by Stagecoach, Arriva, Go Coach and Nu-Venture.

Holders of a senior citizen and disabled bus pass were previously able to travel for free on buses after 9:30am, but following discussions with these operators, this condition has been removed.

KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said:

“I’m very grateful to Stagecoach, Arriva, Go Coach and Nu-Venture who have worked with Kent Highways and Transport to extend the use of the bus pass on their services before 9:30am.

This is something that will be extremely helpful during a time when some shops are opening early specifically for the older generation to support them during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Our public transport team is working hard to extend this to other operators in the coming days.

This change will come into force tomorrow morning (Thursday 19th March) and I’m very happy that we have been able to support those in our community during this period of disruption.”

Kent County Council has a statutory duty to provide passes for free bus travel throughout England for older and disabled people under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).

Over 250,000 people in the county have a bus pass, with around 227,000 for older people and 22,000 for disabled people.

N.B.

Chalkwell Coach Hire, operator of the 326 / 327 / 328 bus service in our area will also be taking part.

Upchurch Matters

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Statement and Thank You from the Church Porch Sale Organisers

I’d like to thank all the bakers, donators, the purchasers and the tea & coffee drinkers, the lovely ladies Chris, Beryl, Sylvia and Eve who man the stalls.

Our first two Sales this year have raised over £400 towards the interior of this lovely old church.

The Church Porch Sales will commence again on the 2nd Saturday of every month at St. Mary's Church, Upchurch, from 9:30am until 11:30am when the Coronavirus crisis is over.

We hope you keep healthy and happy.

Thank you

Mary Stone

Church Porch Sale Organiser

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