26th May 2021

The Carers Centre has been working very hard with great enthusiasm, preparing for the opening up of the Carers Centre.  We are keeping our ear to the ground, making sure we keep on top of the Government’s Covid guidelines and recommendations.

We will remain where carers come to the centre with an appointment, for the foreseeable future as we strongly uphold our duty of care to keep carers safe where possible.

Don’t forget to have regular tests for your own piece of mind, make sure when visiting the centre you are not experiencing any symptoms, or have had a positive result to a covid test or someone within your household.

As part of Carers Week 2021, we’re campaigning for carers to be able to take the breaks they need.

Millions of carers have gone to extraordinary lengths over the past year to look after and support those they care for, with many caring around the clock without any meaningful breaks. They are exhausted and worn out as a result of caring during the pandemic.

This Carers Week, use our simple form to contact your MP and ask them to publicly recognise unpaid carers and the urgent need to increase funding for carers’ breaks.

During Carers Week, we are shining a spotlight on the lack of breaks that carers have been able to take in the past year, and the worrying impact this is having on their health and wellbeing, as well as their ability to work and live a meaningful life beyond caring.

That’s why we’re calling on the government to urgently increase funding for carers’ breaks by an additional £1.2 billion, so all carers providing significant hours of care can take a break.

Do you work and care for a loved one? Do you want something new and exciting to do at the weekend? This group is open to all carers.

St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green are inviting carers from the Carer’s Centre Tower Hamlets to co-create an exciting new digital art project around the theme of care and caring for others, inspired by the children’s novel ‘The Borrowers’ by Mary Norton.

Carers will join the wonderful artists Kazuko Hohki and Milou Stella as care and imagination experts, using story-telling, craft, improvisation, textiles and more…

COVID UPDATE

Key points

1. Surge testing extended to everyone in Tower Hamlets: Following the discovery of a small number of the South African & Brazilian in the Borough, the Council are asking everyone over the age of 11 who lives, works or learns in Tower Hamlets to take a free PCR Covid-19 test. Please get tested even if:

• • • you’ve had a recent negative test result.
    • you’ve had a recent Lateral Flow Test
    • you don’t have any Covid-19 symptoms.

For more information about the options to get tested, click here

1. Over 34s can now book a vaccine: This week it was announced that anyone aged 34 and over can now get their Covid-19 vaccine. If you’re eligible, please get vaccinated to protect yourself and others. In Tower Hamlets they run vaccine clinics at:

• • • the Art Pavilion in Mile End Park
    • Cable Street Surgery
    • pop up clinics at Granby Hall and the East London Mosque.

To book appointments at any of these sites, call their vaccine helpline on 020 7364 3030. You can also book through the national booking site.

1. Local update in Tower Hamlets:

• • • 105,500 residents have now been vaccinated with their first dose.
    • 38,230 residents ​have had their second dose administered.

1. Restrictions changed this week: On Monday, we saw the lifting of more restrictions across England.

• • • Six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed. People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.
    • Leisure and entertainment facilities have reopened, including pubs, restaurants, cinemas, museums, and theatres.

For more information about what else you can do from this date, check out BBC Newround, or this easy read guide.

1. Social distancing remains: Although restrictions have been eased, remember that Covid-19 is still here and infectious.
2. • • People should make personal decisions on close contact with their family and friends based on what they feel comfortable with. You should be cautious about hugging others, especially if you are not vaccinated.
     • Social distancing remains in place in retail, hospitality, business, and medical settings. You still need to wear a face covering on public transport and in shops unless you are exempt.