Some Helping Hands for Upchurch

With the news that some villagers may be going into self-isolation, I just wanted to offer my support.

If you need shopping, prescriptions collecting, mail posting, errands running or even just a chat, please do contact me and I will help you for free.

I also have some care packages of essentials (and the odd treat!) to deliver to people who may struggle to get out and get supplies.

If you are over 60 and would like a care package or know someone who may need another one, please contact me on: 07916 151299 or Email: ciamerrall@hotmail.com

I am also gathering a group of volunteers to help. If you are interested please contact me on the number and Email address above.

If you would like to donate any food / UHT milk or treats for the care packages, please drop them into the box outside 15 Forge Lane, Upchurch.

Any leftover items will be donated to Swale Foodbank so everything will be used by those in need.

Many thanks to those who have already donated.

Please take care of everyone.

Thank you

Cia Merrall

15 Forge Lane, Upchurch

Just so you know

We have received many kind messages from residents offering support to the elderly and vulnerable in our village through this difficult time.

Many were not suitable to share, unfortunately. It is not that we don't care or were being awkward, we were just doing what we know to be safe.

We have since been contacted by Swale Borough Councillor for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch, and Cabinet Member for Community Richard Palmer regarding gathering volunteers in a safe and coordinated way, in the hope they may eventually become volunteers in a more formal and coordinated council-run service, should one eventually come forward.

Councillor Palmer has now been in touch with Cia and so we are pleased to be able to share what we hope is a safe service for residents to use.

We would encourage residents to telephone Cia with any questions they have about her service and to always follow KCC and Government advice regarding allowing strangers into their homes.

Please support your local businesses

Wherever it's safe to do so, please continue to support all the great local and small businesses. Many are very worried about their survival. They are as much a part of our community as anyone.

It's great to see community spirit coming though and knowing that by working together and looking out for each other that we will get through this.

Please take care of yourselves and others.

Thank you

Upchurch Matters

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Closure of Upchurch Village Hall

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, for the safety of the community, all clubs and social gatherings at the Village Hall have been cancelled.

We have therefore decided to close the hall for the foreseeable future.

We will still be taking bookings for postponed or future events, so please contact Molly Harriss our booking secretary on: 01634 364859.

Thank you

We wish you all stay safe.

David Steward

Chairman - Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

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CANCELLED - Upchurch Village Fete Presented by the Parents & Friends of Holywell School

Dear All,

Unfortunately due to the Government’s announcement yesterday with schools being closed from Friday 20th March for the foreseeable future, it is with deep regret we have had to cancel this year's Village Fete.

We had an amazing day last year with fantastic support from our Village and local community and I will look forward to organising next years and having you all back.

If your children have been taking part in our Smarties Challenge please keep your tubes safe if you haven’t returned them to school yet. We will welcome these back as soon as we can return to school.

Thank you for your continued support in this uncertain time.

Kind regards

Katie Kemlo
Chair - Parents & Friends of Holywell School
Email: pfhs@holywell.kent.sch.uk

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KCC Libraries to Close

The ongoing wellbeing of our customers, our staff, and everyone’s family is of the greatest importance to us and we are following the advice from Government to help minimise the impact of COVID-19.

As such, under these exceptional circumstances, we are implementing the following temporary changes:

• All 99 libraries will close to the public, including the mobile library service, from normal closing time on Friday 20th March 2020 until further notice. We will keep this under review and will be guided by national developments.

• We will ensure all loan periods are extended for all customers until the end of June. If you need further extensions after June, please let us know via email (libraries@kent.gov.uk), social media or call us on 03000 41 31 31. Some of these changes may take time to implement so please bear with us while we work through them.

• If you have reservations, or reservations on order, they will be kept safe until we re-open. Once we re-open, they will be available for 10 days before going back into circulation. If you cannot collect the reservation during that time due to self-isolation, we will refund you the reservation fee or reorder it at no additional charge.

• Remember that our digital collections are always available. These include reference resources as well as free e-books, e-audio books, a vast range of the latest e-magazines and daily e-newspapers. These can be accessed at kent.gov.uk/libs

• The Ask a Kent Librarian Service will remain available on 03000 41 64 38, email akl@kent.gov.uk or via 24/7 chat at www.kent.gov.uk/askakentlibrarian

• We will maintain the Home Library Service to the most vulnerable as far as possible.

We wish all of our customers well at this difficult time. We will keep in touch as much as we can and will resume normal services as soon as possible.

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

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

Report a doorstep criminal >> http://bit.ly/2ApDUgv

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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