Swale Borough Council - Support on Offer for Anybody Self-isolating

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.

“Call us on: 01795 417664 or Email: selfisolation@citizensadviceswale.uk to get in touch.”

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

Appeal for Afghan Refugee Families Resettling in Ashford

St Mary's Church, Upchurch is collecting for ten refugee families in Ashford, who left Afghanistan with only the clothes they were wearing.

They need clothing and shoes for men, women, and children. Towels, bedding and toys are also needed.

Please kindly ensure clothing, bedding, and towels are clean and in good repair. If you could leave your donations in bags, that would be very helpful. Please place your bags on the first set of pews to your right as you walk into the church.

St Mary's will remain open to receive anything people would like to donate.

We know how kind Upchurch villagers are. You prove it every month with your Swale Foodbank donations which, incidentally, we will be collecting again in the lay-by opposite the church today, Wednesday the 1st, at 10:30am.

Thank you

Gill Gay

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

First Day of School at Leigh Academy Rainham

Wishing all the children and staff at Leigh Academy Rainham a great first day of learning in your brand new secondary school

DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE

#firstdayofschool

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Horticultural Society - Events and Meetings 2021

Click to enlarge.

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Jewellery Stolen | Lights Damaged - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/155703/21

On Friday the 20th of August between 00:01 and 19:03, somebody stole jewellery from a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.

Crime Number: 46/156791/21

Between 20:00 on Friday the 20th of August and 08:00 on Saturday the 21st of August, somebody damaged lights outside a residential property in Playstool Road, Newington.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Changes to Chalkwell 326 / 327 / 328 Bus Services from 31st August 2021

Bus operator Chalkwell Coach Hire has announced a number of changes to the 326 / 327 / 328 bus services from Tuesday 31st August 2021.

This follows a consultation earlier this year, where users and residents of Lower Halstow and Upchurch were asked to submit their views.

The main changes are:

• Minor changes to school bus times.
• Journeys that were previously designated as ‘student only’ due to Covid-related restrictions are now open to the general public.
• An increased number of 326 journeys, providing direct links between Sittingbourne, Newington and the Medway Towns.
• An additional journey from Upchurch and Lower Halstow into Sittingbourne in the 0930 to 2pm window.
• On weekdays, 327 journeys serving Lower Halstow and Upchurch will operate between Sittingbourne and Rainham Mark via the villages.

Anyone requiring onward travel to Medway can transfer onto a 326 bus at Rainham Mark.

The full timetable from Tuesday 31st August 2021, including all journeys between Sittingbourne and Chatham, can be found at: www.chalkwell.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/326-8-chalkwell-timetable-wef31082021-web.pdf

Details of school bus times and relevant information can be found at: www.chalkwell.co.uk/schools

Upchurch Matters