6th January 2021

Hello Everyone

So today is my first day back and we have entered our third Lockdown. Firstly I wanted to send out my condolences and prays to carers who have recently lost cared for’s, friends and family, you know who you are, and the Carers Centre is here to support you in any way we can.

I wanted to also highlight that the centre is only closed to face to face appointments as in previous lockdowns. We are still undertaking new registrations, carer assessments, benefit support, signposting to other organisations and as always championing the rights and needs of carers.

As for my project the Carers Academy we have a raft of new and exciting activities planned this year and starting off this January we want to concentrate on Carers Health & Wellbeing activities. The aim is help carers keep mentally and physically fit, you might have added some weight under lockdown or over the Christmas period and want to join our exercise activities such as exercise with Casey and our new Shadow Boxing? You might want to obtain a personal goal and join our coaching programme, you might want to just join a joint activity and have fun with your peers in our weekly shared reading group, the choice is yours.

Recent research has shown that joining groups can reduce isolation and improve your mental health. If you want to discuss joining a group, then email me tony@ccth.org.uk or ring me on 07547 733698 and I am happy to chat.

Next Week’s Activities 11th to 15th January 2021

Monday 11th – 11am to 12noon

Shared Reading for Carers – Come and join this incredible group, where a reader, reads a short story to the group, we discuss the story as a group and have fun with the exchange of ideas.

Tuesday 12th – 11am to 12.30pm

Renal Carers Support Group – this group is for carers who care for someone with kidney disease. Join Ayeda for a supportive and inclusive session that aims to provide peer and professional support.

2pm to 3.30pm

Carers Forum – join our monthly forum to discuss the issues of being a carer. You are able to discuss your needs, what Tower Hamlets Council and the Carers Centre could do to help, be supported by your peers and have a laugh.

Wednesday 13th

Walking Wednesday’s – this group is temporarily suspended due to the Lockdown rules.

1pm to 2pm

New Carer Induction – While you are waiting for or after your assessment you will be invited via Zoom to attend our monthly New Carers Induction Session. We strongly encourage you to attend, as this session will help you prepare for your assessment and give you a better understanding of the Carers Centre services

Thursday 14th – 11am to 12 noon

Exercise and Chill with Casey – this group will help get your blood pumping and then with the added mindfulness at the end help you relax, reduce your stress and set you up for the rest of the day.

Friday 15th – 11am to 12 noon

Shadow Boxing – do you want to get fitter while at home, ever thought of boxing? Then this is the group for you, this is our new activity, and we know you are going to love it.

The Prime Minister has announced that from Tuesday 5th we are in a new national lockdown. That means we must stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.

As we begin a new year, and after many tough months of making sacrifices, playing our part and protecting our community, I know how difficult many will find this announcement. It will be particularly hard for families, businesses, and vulnerable people in Tower Hamlets. I welcome the further economic support the government has announced today and I know the closure of schools will be difficult for children and for working parents and we will work with schools to offer all the support we can.

However, Covid-19 cases are extremely high with the new strain spreading more easily, and we saw huge increases in rates and hospital admissions locally over the past month. For this reason, the new lockdown now in place is necessary and vitally important to reduce the spread of the virus.

Many will continue to be unable to see family, friends and loved ones which is very tough, especially for those living alone or shielding.

As we continue into 2021, we can be optimistic that vaccines are being administered and need the government to step up the roll out of the vaccine. Millions of doses have already been given to the most vulnerable nationally. However, it will still be a while before we get back to anything normal and now is not the time to let our guard down and we must all follow the rules.

I’d like to remind all vulnerable residents, including the clinically extremely vulnerable, that support from the council is available. Call us on 020 7364 3030 if you need to discuss self-isolation, food, medication, or debt. We are here to help.

Please play your part, follow the rules, and keep Tower Hamlets safe. We have come so far and together we must continue, ensuring that no sacrifice or effort is in vain.

Stay safe,
Mayor Biggs

Stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives

Last night the Prime Minister announced an immediate national lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19 as rates rapidly increase across London and the rest of the country.

From now (Tuesday 5 January), everyone must stay at home, and only leave home for specific reasons, such as:

Shopping for essential items and medicine
To travel to work, but only if you cannot work from home
To seek medical help, get tested or get vaccinated
To escape domestic abuse or escape serious harm

Full details of what you can and cannot do are available on the Government’s website. Further information on the impact on council services will be available in due course.

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until at least the February half term. Early Years settings such as nurseries currently remain open.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work.

Get a Covid-19 test in Tower Hamlets

It remains extremely important to book a Covid-19 test if symptomatic – tests can be booked by calling 119 or going online. Residents will be offered an appointment at their nearest testing site. In Tower Hamlets there are testing sites in Shadwell, Mile End, Isle of Dogs and Billingsgate.

Rapid tests are also now available for people without symptoms. These tests are quick and convenient and provide results in under 30 minutes. If you’re worried about Covid-19 or at increased risk, then you can book a rapid test. More information is available on the council website.

Please remember, wear a face covering when going for a test. If you’re attending a walk-in test centre, please walk or cycle and avoid public transport or taxi. Don’t go if you’re very unwell or at high risk (extremely clinically vulnerable) from Covid-19 – choose a home test instead.

If you have symptoms of Covid-19…

Book a test if you’re experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 and stay at home until you get your result.

If you test positive, isolate at home for 10 days from when symptoms started. This includes while symptomatic and waiting to arrange a test.
If you’re identified as a close or recent contact of someone who has tested positive through NHS Test and Trace, self-isolate for 10 days.

Symptoms and testing info >

Parks and leisure update

The impact of the new lockdown impacts parks and leisure in the following ways:

Indoor gyms – closed
Outdoor gyms – closed (please do not unwrap or use outdoor gyms)
Tennis courts – closed
Basketball courts – closed
Sports facilities – closed
Swimming pools – closed
Golf courses – closed
Cafes – take away only (please do not gather)
Markets – closed
Team sports – not allowed

Please use the following responsibly and follow government current guidance:

Playgrounds – open (wash your hands before/after use)
Parks – open (please try your best to avoid busy areas/overcrowding)
Public toilets – open (wash your hands before/after use and cover face)

You can exercise outside in a public place (but minimise the time spent outside your home):

by yourself
with people you live with
with your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
in a childcare bubble where providing childcare
or, when on your own, with one person from a different household (including personal trainers)

Get in touch

The Carers Centre
21 Brayford Square
London, E1 0SG

020 7790 1765

enquiries@ccth.org.uk

Opening hours

Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed

Hello Everyone

Next Week’s Activities 11th to 15th January 2021

Stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives