Practical support & resources Guidance for the Christmas Period

Advice and Information - 1 December 2020

One in three people with coronavirus (COVID-19) have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it. So the safest way to celebrate Christmas this year is with your household or existing support bubble in your home.
people talking

The more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus:

Making a Christmas bubble with friends and family

Guidance for the Christmas period

Coronavirus update from Telford and Wrekin Council 1 December 2020

Tier 2 restrictions in Telford and Wrekin will come into force on 2 December from 00.01am.

Here is a reminder of what you need to know about Tier 2:

  • House hold mixing is not allowed. You must not socialise indoors with anybody outside your household unless they are part or your support bubble.
  • You can socialise in a group outside but it must not be in a group of more than 6, this includes in a private garden or a public space and you must maintain social distancing at all times.
  • Work from home if possible
  • Reduce the number of non-essential journeys made

From 2 December, the following council services will reopen:

  • Leisure centres, Horsehay Golf Course and Telford Ice Rink
  • Libraries apart from Oakengates Library
  • Register Office

With Christmas approaching this is very important – For the love of Christmas, limit your contact with people outside our household, maintain social distancing, wash your hands, and wear a face mask.

Finally, we would like urge people to ‘shop local’ within the borough. Local businesses have made sacrifices during the lockdown and have now worked hard to create covid safe environments for people to work and shop in. Let’s support them.

Get tested

As the number of cases in our borough remains high and above the national average – we need to identify cases as early as possible, so we can slow down the spread of the virus.

Telford & Wrekin Council are now asking you to book a COVID-19 test as a precaution, if you are showing other symptoms, such as:

  • Headaches
  • Aches and pains
  • Feeling tired for no good reason
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Tummy ache in children

The latest local COVID-19 figures for Telford and Wrekin have been published and show that cases continue to rise read more

There is a walk-through test centre available in Oakengates read more and two more walk-through test sites set to open in Donnington and Madeley – this means that there is plenty of testing capacity and lots of slots available for anyone who has symptoms of the virus to get tested as quickly as possible read more

You can book a test online, it’s quick and easy.

For more information & advice please visit Telford.gov.uk

Local COVID alert levels

Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area.

Face masks & coverings to be warn in shops & supermarkets in England from 24th July:

The Government has announced that wearing face covering in shops and supermarkets in England are now mandatory. Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to £100. However, children under 11 and those with hidden disabilities will be exempt. We know that for some people living with Dementia and other hidden disabilities this could be a potentially stressful situation and cause conflict if they are not wearing a mask. For the people who are exempt, they can wear a badge or carry an exemption card: Gov.uk “Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.” 

To find out more click here

Food shopping

If you are self-isolating but need a food shop, you might want to use one of the supermarket home delivery services. Also, some supermarkets have implemented ‘priority shopping hours’ for the elderly/vulnerable and key workers.

Please note: NHS/key workers must show their photo ID. Also, elderly shoppers will still have priority for home delivery services.

These are just some of the supermarkets:

  • Sainsbury’s (Telford Superstore)
    Elderly & vulnerable: 8am till 9am Monday, Wednesday & Friday
    NHS staff: 7:30am till 8am Monday – Saturday
  • Morrisons (Lawley)
    NHS staff: 6am till 7am Monday – Saturday
  • Tesco Extra (Wrekin Retail Park)
    Elderly & vulnerable: 9am till 10am Monday, Wednesday & Friday
    NHS staff: 9am till 10am Tuesday & Thursday
  • Iceland (Telford town centre & Wellington)
    Elderly & vulnerable: 9am till 10am Monday – Saturday & 10am till 11am Sunday
    NHS staff: 5pm till 6pm Monday – Saturday & 3pm till 4pm Sunday
  • Asda (Telford store & Donnington Wood store)
    NHS staff: 8am till 9am Monday, Wednesday & Friday
  • Waitrose (Newport, Shropshire)
    Elderly & vulnerable: 8am till 9am Monday – Saturday & 9:30am till 10:30am Sunday
    NHS staff: 6am till 8pm Monday – Saturday

Telford & Wrekin Council are offering extra support for its residents so we can help and protect the extremely vulnerable, the vulnerable by providing food parcels, food shopping and meals. to find our more visit: www.telford.gov.uk/info/20712/food_parcels_food_shopping_and_meals

Morrisons Doorstep delivery service is available to vulnerable and elderly members of the community, unable to go shopping in-store.
Call: 0345 611 6111 and select option 5 to place your order or visit Morrisons/doorstep-deliveries/ for further information.

Education & childcare

Here you can find information for parents and carers about the closure of schools and other educational settings following the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19):

Telford & Wrekin Council are organising for Free School Meals (FSM) to be delivered to the address of eligible children. To find out more visit: Free School Meals (FSM)

Visit Gov.UK education & childcare for further updates or to find out more.

Money & benefit advice

Citizens Advice
Due to the Coronavirus Citizens advice (Telford & Wrekin) have stopped all public face to face advice sessions. However, you can still contact the service in other ways:

Call: 01952 567193 or enquiry line: 0300 330 1165
Email: caseadministrator@telfordcab.co.uk
Write: 40 Tan Bank, Wellington, TF1 1HW
Visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

If you are in need of a food parcel, contact: 01952 567174

Alternatively, you can visit the Age UK general website for information and further advice.

Local Resources

Telford Newsroom & Shropshire Newsroom

LiveWell Telford – accessing services

Telford & Wrekin Council & Telford & Wrekin: FAQs – COVID-19

Taking Part

Shropshire Partners in Care (SPiC) is a not for profit organisation representing approximately 240 independent Nursing, Residential, Supported Living and Domiciliary Care companies in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. To access FAQ for care providers and supplier contact details visit: SPIC: Coronavirus Covid-19 FAQ for care providers

Community Children and Young People’s Health Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic A brief overview of the current community children and young people’s health services, the different ways of working to keep everyone safe and promote the psychological well-being of children and young people.

For Carers

This guidance is for anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to a lifelong condition, illness, disability, serious injury, a mental health condition or an addiction, cannot cope without their support: Gov.uk: providing-unpaid-care/guidance-for-those-who-provide-unpaid-care

For more information from the Government please visit: Gov.uk

Telford &Wrekin All-Age Carers Centre has useful and up-to-date information on their services for carers and includes their latest Covid-19 Carers Safe and Well Newsletter. Further support is available: Carers UK: Coronavirus guidance

Local Hospitals & more

For all local hospital/health care service updates please visit their websites for information & guidance:

SaTH (Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospital Telford)

RJAH (Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital)

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust

Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group

Telford Clinical Commission Group

Panic buying medication
Health officials are urging everyone not to panic buy unnecessary amounts of pain relief as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak and have ensured there is enough pain relief medication for everyone. Read more

Video consulting with your NHS
You can still have an appointment if you are social distancing or self-isolating. Click here to access the quick guide for patients.

Further reading…

Democratic services for Telford & Wrekin

Do you have concerns about your business? Click here to go to your local Councillor and raise a concern with them.

Further support

Buildwas Church

Are offering support west of Telford up to the ring road at Shrewsbury. You can contact them for support for anything; grocery shopping, prescription collections, posting letters etc…
Call: 01952 432497

Age UK Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

Provide a home shopping service, to find out more click here
or call: 01743 233123

Telford & Wrekin Council

Have launched a community support helpline for vulnerable residents or those or do not have any support. Anybody in need of assistance can request help:
Call: 01952 382030
Visit: www.webforms.telford.gov.uk/form

AgeUK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin

Have a range of information and services. During this challenging time their highly trained benefits advisors are continuing to offer information and advice on all aspects of welfare benefits for those of state pension age. Read more

TACT Telford

Are still offering support to anyone in recovery from addiction, has addiction issues, and mental health support. They are also offering advice and signposting for Covid19 issues or concerns, including other health, finance and general queries.

Citizens Advice T&W

The charity has this week increased the number of staff and volunteers staffing its local telephone lines and a new email information service. Read more

Clinical guide for front line staff

Guidance has been released to support the management of patients with a learning disability, autism or both during the Coronavirus pandemic – relevant to all clinical specialities. Read more

Coronavirus DWP Update

Here you can access the information containing all the most recent announcements and changes regarding COVID-19. The newsletter contains useful links you will need. This is a stand-alone communication, therefore, please continue to visit GOV.UK website for further updates.

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