Hello Everyone

Council bus out vaccinating residents

Our vaccine bus is back, moving around Tower Hamlets offering Covid-19 vaccination to residents. Along with on the spot vaccines – first, second or booster – bus staff can provide information and reassurance to residents about getting vaccinated.

The locations the bus visits have been chosen specifically to help vaccinate hard to reach communities and some of our vulnerable populations.

There are still more clinics than ever offering vaccines in Tower Hamlets so whether you book in or visit our bus, make sure you get your jab. Clinics and locations for the vaccine bus can be found on our website.

Find out more >

What’s new nationally?

If you have Covid-19 symptoms, or a positive test result:

• You still need to self-isolate as soon as you develop Covid-19 symptoms, OR when you receive a positive test result if you don’t have symptoms.
• New guidance means you can now take two lateral flow tests on isolation days 6 & 7 – these tests must be 24 hours apart, (e.g 7am on Wednesday & 7am on Thursday)
• If both tests are negative – and you do not have a high temperature, then on day 7 you can stop self-isolating
• If the day 6 test is positive, further tests are needed on following days, following the same criteria – that you must receive two negative tests, 24 hours apart, in order to end self-isolation

Why the change?

Lateral flow tests are very good at detecting people who are infectious at the moment because there is so much of the virus around at the minute, and there are lots of cases to be spotted.

Analysis shows that if you tested 1,000 people right now, you’d get 41 testing positive and almost all of them would be correct; but last summer, when there were fewer cases around – you’d get three positives but only two would be true. That’s when a PCR would be important to confirm the result.

How the 7 day isolation period works:

Close contacts – testing & isolation rules:

• If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid, and you’ve had your 1st & 2nd Covid-19 vaccine – you do not have to self-isolate, but should take daily lateral flow tests for seven days
• If one of the lateral flow tests is positive, you’ll need to self-isolate and take a PCR test to verify the result
• Close contacts of a positive case who are not double-jabbed still have to isolate for the full 10 days

Next weeks Activities

REMINDER – YOU CAN CHECK THE CCTH CALENDAR – 

If you want to know what activities are on each day at the centre then check out the CCTH Calendar – https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/?cid=mc-03c4653fb809aa02e303ae7a3bb5520a&month=9&yr=2021

Then email me tony@cth.org.uk to book your place.

Around 2.4 million people, aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP practice in England will receive an invitation to take part in Europe’s biggest patient experience survey in early January. GP practices have had to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is more important than ever that we hear about the experiences of using local GP and primary healthcare services. 

The invitations go out mostly by letter to a sample of people from each of the more than 6,500 GP practices in England. The survey team at NHS England and NHS Improvement will follow this up with a text message reminder (where a mobile number is recorded) alongside further paper questionnaires to encourage as high a response rate as possible.

Please do take the time to take part in the survey. It provides vital information to the NHS to identify what’s working well and what can be improved. It helps to identify inequalities in experience too, as the results can be analysed across different protected characteristics.

If you want to check out how your practice faired in last year’s survey, take a look at the survey website: https://gp-patient.co.uk/practices-search

Taking Control of Your Life will be hosting a workshop on “Creating Your Own Care Plans on 25^th January 2022 from 2pm to 3:30 pm over Zoom. 

Self-directed support is about giving people control of the support they receive and the life they lead. It provides a positive shift in power and decision making that enables people to have a voice, to be heard and be connected to each other and their communities.

This free workshop will feature:

This session will be delivered by a client who herself receives social care, and who has been writing her own care plan for the past six years. She finds there is a huge difference in quality when she writes the plan as opposed to when it is written by social services. Creating her Own Care Plan has been instrumental in her fight for receiving the right care she is entitled to.

At this workshop, she will be sharing her story and answering questions on how you can start writing your care plan. We will also be joined by Real Advocacy service who have over a decade of experience on supporting clients with securing care.

When and Where

 The event will take place on Zoom

 Date:  Tuesday, 25^th January 2022

 Time:  3:00pm – 3:30pm

 Zoom Link: will be provided when booking

To sign up for find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07458 304616 or 07305811946 or email TCOYL@real.org.uk.

The Royal British Legion has recently published a report exploring the unique profile, needs, and experiences of members of the Armed Forces community who have unpaid caring responsibilities. Unpaid Carers in the Armed Forces community explores the needs of this under-researched section of the Armed Forces community and the impact of their caring responsibilities. When compared to carers in the general population, the carers who participated in our research are less likely to access support; less likely to have a recent carer’s assessment; and less likely to feel their role as a carer is valued by services they come into contact with. You can read either the full report or the executive summary online here.

I am writing to highlight the key findings from the report and to ask you to adopt the recommendations at your council. As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, your local authority has a key role to play in supporting the Armed Forces community through all the challenges they may face; and I hope we can work together on this occasion to support unpaid carers in that community.

Key findings

 Our research, including a survey of 358 unpaid carers in the UK Armed Forces community, found that:

• Unpaid caring disproportionally affects the UK’s ex-Service community.
• This group are receiving half as much support as carers in the general population; only one in five received any support from their local authority in the last two years.

• Those caring for a veteran were even less likely to have received any support, and less than one in twenty had been able to take a break from caring in the last year.
• Only 11% of these carers had been asked whether they or someone they care for have served in the UK Armed Forces.
• The carers are less likely to have had a carer’s assessment or a review of their carer’s assessment in the past two years than non-Armed Forces carers were; only 17% compared to 27% of carers in the general population.

Recommendations  

• Local authorities in England should urgently act upon NHS England’s recommendation (page 13) to consider how carers from the Armed Forces community can be supported in local carers’ strategies.
• Local authorities should consider how to encourage carers in the Armed Forces community to access support and take up a carer’s assessment, which they are less likely to have and, if they are serving, may have to regularly repeat.
• Council services and local carers services should ask and record whether all patients and clients are a member of the Armed Forces community and if they have caring responsibilities. This would help these carers feel better understood and make them more aware of entitlements and support available to them.

FREE University of Repair Digital Masterclass

Join Esther Stanford-Xosei, Rameri Moukam and Connie Bell this Saturday at 1pm for a free, online masterclass exploring the unseen narratives buried in museums and “their” artefacts as ghosts/duppies. During the session, they will confront the uncomfortable conversations that examine and draw on the retentions from African artefacts at the Museum of London Docklands.

This masterclass is part of the University of Repair, a year-long collaborative project with Decolonising The Archive, that draws on the museum’s London, Sugar & Slavery gallery to initiate a process of repair.

Register for your free ticket >

We Need You …..

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chair to lead the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets through its next chapter of development and growth.The Carers Centre, Tower Hamlets works to enrich the lives of unpaid carers across Tower Hamlets and beyond. We ensure that unpaid carers can access the resources they need to carry out their caring role and we help them to enjoy a life beyond caring. We offer a holistic range of services, from information, advice and advocacy around statutory support available, to training, therapeutic and social activities that give carers much needed connection and respite.

Last year we supported 1,600 carers to have the right information, necessary resources and key skills to enable them to have the confidence to effectively undertake their important caring role.

The role and contribution of unpaid carers in society has never been more visible or important. An estimated 25,000 people in Tower Hamlets provide unpaid care for a friend, relative or partner with health issues and collectively our unpaid carers make a huge contrition to the community and society.

This is an exciting phase for the Carers’ Centre as we launch a new strategy and look to expand our reach, networks and resources. We are looking for a compassionate Chair with the experience to lead us through this period of growth and to provide strong strategic direction and support, alongside a committed Board of Trustees.

The Chair’s commitment will be approximately 6 – 8 hours per month. It is a rewarding voluntary position that will provide the successful candidate with interest, challenge and fulfilment. If you are looking to invest your skills and experience in a charity that tangibly makes a positive difference to individuals’ lives, and which is an essential part of the community in Tower Hamlets, then we would love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications is 31 January 2022. For more information and how to apply, please visit the opportunity being advertised on Reach Volunteering.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact the Chief Executive Graham Collins at graham@ccth.org.uk or phone on 020 7791 5561.

The Carers Centre is recruiting new trustees. As a Trustee, you will contribute to the direction of the Carers Centre and ensure its services are having a positive impact on carers in Tower Hamlets. Working closely with the Chief Executive you will set the direction of the organisation and make key decisions on how the charity operates to meets its goals.

Being a Trustee is a great way to enhance your development goals while making a difference to a cause that is meaningful to you. It allows you to develop new skills or apply existing skills to new real-life situations, meet new people and network—all whilst bringing a sense of fulfilment to yourself and those you are helping.

We have a skilled and experienced Board of Trustees but recognise we need to broaden our knowledge of income generation, organisational development and digital communications. We are therefore seeking motivated and committed individuals to join our Board.

If you have recent working knowledge in this area and are interested in making a positive difference for carers and their families in Tower Hamlets then we would like to hear from you.

It is important to us that our Board reflects the diversity of the carers we serve.  We welcome applicants from all sections of our community irrespective of age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances.

Timescales and Fees

It is expected that fulfilling the role of Trustee will require the equivalent of approximately 8 days per year.

The role of Trustee of the Carers Centre is voluntary, although reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed according to the rates agreed by the Board.

Closing date for applications is 31 January 2022. For more information and how to apply, please visit the opportunity being advertised on Reach Volunteering.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact the Chief Executive Graham Collins at graham@ccth.org.uk or phone on 020 7791 5561.

Covid-19 in Tower Hamlets

Read the latest update on Covid-19 from our Director of Public Health, Dr Somen Banerjee, including changes to the wearing of face coverings in education settings, changes to confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow test and generally rates of Covid-19 in the borough.

Read the update >

Give blood to save lives

The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. New blood donors from all backgrounds are always needed to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.

Find a location near you and give back to your community today.

Book an appointment >

In 2022 the Tower of London will be celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by filling the moat with flowers to create a spectacular display.

From June to September the flower display will erupt into new colours and patterns creating a dramatic and engaging experience. Designed to attract pollinators, ‘Superbloom’ will bring a spectacular natural beauty to the urban space and introduce a new biodiverse habitat for wildlife. It will celebrate the value of nature for our wellbeing, giving people time to slow down, reflect and bask in the simple joy of flowers in bloom.

FIND OUT MORE

Volunteering Opportunities

Also here is information on the volunteering opportunities:

Volunteering is open to anyone 16 years old and over. There are 2 different roles available;

• Base Level – meet and greet visitors and ‘man’ the slide entrance into the Moat
• Within the moat – engaging with visitors on experience and interpretation content

No experience is required and training sessions will be offered from April. You can register your interest in volunteering here: Superbloom volunteering | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk)

You can also get in touch with Alex with any questions, who is leading on the volunteering opportunities at: superbloomvolunteer@hrp.org.uk

job Opportunity

Assistant Community Producer, £27,702 (pro rata)
Closing Date: 25^th January

HRP is currently planning a large scale ‘Superbloom’ flower installation for the Tower moat in 2022. Alongside this exciting and unique moment in the Tower’s history, we are planning a pan-London communities project to engage local community groups in creating their own ‘superbloom’ with a focus on gardening for well-being.

The Communities Partnership Team is looking for an Assistant Community Producer, who will help to deliver high quality outcomes for community groups. The Assistant Community Producer will play a key role in liaising with community groups, freelancers and staff, coordinating events onsite and online and providing the level of administrative organisation that is so essential to the project’s success.

To find out more about the role and how to apply please visit: Assistant Community Producer – Historic Royal Palaces (tal.net)

Historic Royal Palaces is a registered charity (No 1068852), correspondence details, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU Historic Royal Palaces Enterprises Ltd, a company registered in England (No 3418583) registered office Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU.

Did You Know we have a weekly Shared Reading Group?

How does it work?

A group of carers, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. We stop and talk about what we have read. There is no need for carers to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.

Reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Carers are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading.

Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.

It can even help with your ESOL needs.

If this is for you then email tony@ccth.org.uk

WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS

1) Plan Your Route

Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.

2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans

Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighborhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.

3) Always Carry Your Phone with You

Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.

4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas

Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbor’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.

5) Keep Your Hands Free

Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.

6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent

In addition to a flashlight, carry a non-violent deterrent such as a whistle, mace, or pepper spray. A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.

7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents

When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.

8) Take a Self-Defense Class

When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favor. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defense class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defense. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defense will help give you those survival skills.

9) Remove Any Distractions

Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.

10) Trust Your Gut

When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.

Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.

REMINDER TO CARERS

If you still need PPE for you and your loved one then Tower Hamlets are still providing PPE for Carers.

Collection and delivery is on Wednesday only from Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Carers can call or email Ayeda directly 0n 07366977103 or ayeda@ccth.org.uk to order.

Check out a new free course that has just been launched that focuses on carer wellbeing. It is called ‘Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role’ and has been kindly endorsed by the Carers Trust. The course is 6 hours in length and learners can achieve a ‘badge’ on completion of the end quiz, and this can be added on a CV to evidence their learning/continuous professional development. We hope that it will be helpful to those working with carers, including carer centre staff, those supporting carers less formally and importantly carers themselves!

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/physical-activity-health-and-wellbeing-the-caring-role/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab