NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Helping your community

The NHS is preparing for winter and the added pressures we usually experience at this time of year.

We can all play a part in making sure NHS services are available for those who need them by staying as active and healthy as possible.

One of the ways we're doing this in Kent and Medway is by recruiting Covid-19 Community Champions to help share information about how to stay healthy and safe.

Kent County Council, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group are working together to recruit local people to:

• Update their community with the latest information.

• Talk to groups most at risk (including older people and BAME communities) to help them stay safe.

• Promote positive lifestyles, including healthy eating and physical activity.

Anyone interested can sign up to attend fortnightly champion update meetings and receive regular updates.

To register or find out more, Email: abmchampions@medway.gov.uk

Get your flu vaccine and spread the word

The flu vaccination provides protection from the virus which is common throughout winter. Vaccinations began in September and will continue over the winter months, with appointments available throughout the season (so there is still plenty of time to book).

Priority is given to those who are most at risk of complications from flu. GP practices and pharmacies are receiving phased deliveries of the vaccine and flu clinics are scheduled to coincide with these deliveries. By staggering appointments over the winter months, the NHS can help protect as many people as possible from flu.

If you know you're on of the at risk groups, because for instance you have a long term condition such as asthma, are pregnant, or disabled, you should speak to your GP surgery or local pharmacy about the vaccination.

Parents and carers of two and three year olds should receive an invitation for their child to have the vaccination at their GP practice before the winter. If you haven’t heard by early November, contact the practice directly to make an appointment.

For primary school-aged children and those in Year 7 at secondary school, a vaccination session will be held at school during the autumn term. Your local healthcare team will contact you via the school.

Carers and those who live with people who are required to shield are also eligible for the flu vaccine.

Help spread the message in your community by sharing this message and this link to a new flu awareness video

Cold weather alerts

Public Health England's cold weather alert service, operated by the Met Office, is moving to a new, upgraded platform. Current and new users must register their Email address with the new system by the 1st November. Due to compliance with GDPR, it is not possible to subscribe current users to the new system automatically.

The service begins on 1st November 2020 when the current distribution list will be retired and the service will only be delivered to those who have signed up via GovDelivery. Click here to register

Find out more about the cold weather plan and health on the government website

Medway and Swale

Swale CVS is looking for volunteers willing to do weekly shopping for elderly or vulnerable people who are unable to go themselves. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. If you think you can help, please contact Zoe on 01795 473828 or Email zoe.deveson@swalecvs.co.uk

Read the full bulletin at https://bit.ly/3modxjr

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Support for Local Families Struggling Through the School Holidays

Following the recent government decision not to extend the free school meals scheme, Cia Merrall has teamed up with St Margaret’s Church, Rainham to fundraise and provide local families with deliveries of fresh and frozen food and essentials.

If you are going to find it difficult to feed your children over the October half-term holiday, please contact Cia. Families can self refer or are referred by schools.

Or if you would like to donate funds, food or other essential items and volunteer to deliver parcels, please get in touch with Cia.

Donations of funds can be made at >> www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cia-merrall

Any excess will be donated to St Margaret’s Foodbank, Rainham and the Trussell Trust.

Upchurch Support Network is still here to support you.

Contact:

Cia Merrall - 15 Forge Lane, Upchurch
Telephone: 07916 151299 - Email: ciamerrall@hotmail.com

Upchurch Matters

Co-op Membership has Changed - Choose a Local Cause

Co-op membership has changed

From the 30th of September 2020, the Co-op doubled the amount they give to local causes on behalf of their Members and began offering Members the chance to save on their shopping each week with personalised offers and more discounts and deals on Co-op services and products.

Now, when you buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 you spend goes into your Co-op membership account. 

You can spend the rewards you earn on most things you buy - not just Co-op products. 

You can join the Co-op for £1 to save money with personalised offers and earn rewards to spend in-store. If you’re not already a Member, you can buy a temporary membership card for £1 in any Co-op food store. The £1 you paid for the temporary card will be used to pay for your share in the Co-op.

Each week, you can go online or on the Co-op app to see new offers on products you like to buy or might want to try. Choose the 2 offers you want to use then scan your Co-op membership card in the app to use your offers.

Upchurch local causes have returned

For the first time in a year, Co-op Members can choose to support three local causes a bit closer to home.

The tremendous support villagers and the wider community give the busy Upchurch store has already benefited village local causes to the tune of thousands of pounds.

Choose a local cause

When you become a Co-op Member, you can choose a local cause to support through your membership.

As you spend on selected Co-op products and services, you'll also be contributing to your chosen local cause.

For every £1 you spend, 2p will go into your membership account and the same will be given to your chosen local cause.

If you do not select a cause to support, the Co-op will share the funds you raised equally between the 3 causes in your community.

It is now also possible for Members to donate the rewards they’ve earned to local causes.

The Co-op will give you a new set of causes to choose from every October.

You can change the cause you support at any time.

If you would like to see more local causes, please use the search function on the membership website at the link below.

Become a Member and choose a cause at www.coop.co.uk/membership

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Poppy Appeal - 2020

This year’s appeal is taking place during Remembrance Tide which this year is from 24th October to 7th November.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal British Legion will not permit or support house to house collections and so there will be no one calling at your house for donations this year.

Nevertheless, poppies and dated poppy pins will be available from the Upchurch shops, public houses, clubs and restaurants who have agreed to participate. The school has also been given a pack for the benefit of the students and staff.

This year for the first time, donations can be made using your mobile telephone.

If you would like to download a poppy for a donation then this can be done using the following link: www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate Poppies printed this way are excellent for displaying in your windows especially the ones you can colour in yourselves.

I am able to supply from the stock I hold - poppies, dated poppy pins, VE poppy pins, wooden crosses, car poppies and wrist bands etc. Please contact me to see how I can help

The impact of the coronavirus has impacted heavily on the veterans of the Armed Forces and their dependents who rely on welfare support and care from the Royal British Legion. So the need for help goes on during these difficult times.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Lower Halstow Scarecrow Trail 2020

Come and walk the Lower Halstow Village Scarecrow Trail.

From 3:00pm on Friday 23rd October until 4:00pm on Sunday 1st November.

Over 40 Scarecrows to see.

Make memories and vote for your favourite.

Raising funds for Lower Halstow School PTA. Every penny raised goes to help the children at Lower Halstow Primary School.

For more information, to download the latest version of the trail map and donate, visit: https://lowerhalstowpta.wixsite.com/scarecrows

The perfect fun and socially distanced family activity for the half-term holiday!

Upchurch Matters

Robert Witherden 1927 - 2020

Bob Witherden.

Dad or Bob, as most knew him, lived and worked in and around Upchurch and Rainham all of his life, farming and producing fruit and veg which he sold in his farm shops in Rainham High Street and Station Road between 1972 and 1987 before retiring to Upchurch to continue farming.

Dad worked up until about five years ago and has gradually passed all of his skills onto his son David, who continues to run the farm and produce Upchurch Strawberries, which we all love!

Dad always got involved with things going on in Upchurch, playing for the Football Team, running the Upchurch Marathon, serving on the Parish Council, Swale Borough Council and much much more.

Family, farming and Upchurch were his life 💕

You will be missed by us all so much - we’re all 💔

Ann Gee

Daughter