As the government eases lockdown and more venues re-open, some people may need reassurance about re-connecting with the outside world. Equally some may be facing job losses and financial concerns.  Here is a list of support available.

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

Managing the transition as stay-at-home guidelines eased – statement by the local council

CWP Mental Health Helpline now has a new freephone number 0800 145 6485. 

The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people across Cheshire and Wirral.

Number 71 Spider Project is a new mental health crisis provision for West Cheshire. The project offers a non-clinical response to anyone struggling with their mental health.  Staff at Number 71 are trained to offer a crisis response but also to encourage and support members to get involved in activities, and also to enable a wide range of volunteers to offer their vital contributions.

After 3 months offering a telephone-based service, they re-opened their doors on Monday 29th June.  Please call first to help manage numbers and keep everyone safe. Initial activity programme ready for launch in mid-July. Anyone in self-defined crisis can contact for help either directly or via their GP.

Contact details: 71-77, St Anne Street, Chester, CH1 3HT

Tel: 01244 393139

Email: enquiries.chester@spiderproject.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/Number-71-Spider-Project-Chester-104086068011632/

West Cheshire Autism Hub

The Autism Hub (based at The Bluecoat, Chester) will be a welcoming space for autistic people to visit and access services, such as post-diagnostic support, supported volunteering and internship opportunities, social and community group activities and much more. As part of its virtual launch, the West Cheshire Autism Hub is now active on social media so please support the project.
Twitter https://twitter.com/WCAutismHub
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WestCheshireAutismHub

For those who may have lost their jobs during Covid, there is support from the Workzones and New Leaf

Free Headspace Plus for the unemployed

For individuals needing financial assistance https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

Support for people with money worries during COVID-19 pandemic

Citizens Advice helpline 0344 5766111

Live Well Cheshire West is a directory of organisations offering a range of support for all ages from befriending services to food banks.

Cheshire West and Chester Council helpline 0300 123 7031 open Monday to Sunday 8am to 7pm

Cheshire West and Chester Council have launched the COVID-19 Outbreak Prevention, Management and Support Plan

The NHS volunteer responders app has a new option of “check in and chat” which means an individual will receive 3 phone calls a week. The app will be operational until Nov 2020.

During this time of national crisis when access to GP surgeries and A&E departments has understandably been restricted, community pharmacies have kept their doors open to provide not only life-saving medication but healthcare support and advice.

We are on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19. We are supporting our local communities as best we can and ask you to support us.

After years of funding cuts, many pharmacies are facing closure. Surely, the COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated the value of community pharmacy as an invaluable local healthcare asset: we are the third pillar in our national healthcare service alongside GP surgeries and A&E departments.

We have asked our local MP, Chris Matheson, to write to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, requesting him to provide whatever funding is required both now and in the longer term to keep pharmacies open. The DHSC has talked about reducing the number of pharmacies by a third – some 3,000 closures. I hope you agree this would reduce access to essential patient services.

Your active support will be greatly appreciated to ensure people can continue to get walk-in access to professional healthcare advice and support both during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

You can help by signing the online petition at ‘change.org/saveourpharmacies‘.

Michelle

Westminster Park Pharmacy

Download (PDF, 20KB)

Download (PDF, 25KB)

Please note the following temporary road closure to enable Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council to carry out carriageway resurfacing works.

The works are due to commence on 3^rd July 2020 and are expected to last for five days.

Handbridge – From Old Dee Bridge to Greenway Street

Queens Park Road – From Queen’s Park View to Handbridge

As it will not be possible for vehicles to access the Old Dee Bridge, all traffic will be diverted across the Grosvenor Bridge to get into the city centre.  Access to properties and for emergency vehicles will be maintained.

Please note – these works are now due to start on 2nd July and last for two days.

Help to scrutinise the Council’s response to COVID-19 in new online meeting

Residents are invited to help review Cheshire West and Chester Council’s approach to dealing with COVID-19.

The first meeting of a cross-party scrutiny committee of councillors takes place online on 29 June and members of the public, charities, businesses and other organisations are being asked to get involved and share their ideas and experiences.

The committee will meet to discuss topics including health and care, support for vulnerable people, communities and the economy.  It will also identify examples of best practice, challenge lessons learned on delivering services, engage with communities to understand their role in responding to the pandemic and make recommendations that can be applied to future models of service.

The committee wants to hear from residents to make sure that they are looking at the issues that matter most to people across the borough.  They are also keen to recognise the outstanding work that the Council, partners, organisations, voluntary sector, businesses, communities and residents have done over the last couple of months to help Cheshire West deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting starts online at 6pm on 29 June and can be viewed live. A recording will also be available following the meeting.

To get involved email: scrutiny@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

For more information about the Pandemic Response and Recovery Scrutiny Committee visit the Council’s website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/scrutiny.

Up to now, the only public toilets open in Chester have been the ones at the Bus Exchange, but our councillors have informed us that our local Public Conveniences will be re-opening on the following days:
Opening 27 June

Princess Street, Chester
The Groves and Grosvenor Park (including the changing places facility), Chester

Opening 3 July

Ellesmere Port town centre
Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port
Castle Park, Frodsham
Westminster Park, Chester
Sandy Lane, Chester
Stanney Fields, Neston
Parkgate
Marbury Park, Northwich

The Government’s requirements regarding Covid-19 have resulted in the cancellation of our AGM which should have been held on 15^th April 2020.  However our Constitution states that we are obliged to hold an AGM within 15 months of the previous one and the WPRA committee invites all WPRA members to participate by nominating the Chair of WPRA, Jennifer Crew, as a proxy to vote on their behalf at the meeting which will be held at 8pm on 9^th July 2020 at her home address by video/teleconference between the WPRA committee.

The business of the meeting will follow the published agenda and members are asked to vote on the appointment of new committee members, the re-election of current committee officers and general committee members and the acceptance of the 2019 accounts.

The proxy notice below should be completed and returned to Jennifer Crew in advance of the meeting.  Details for its return are included on the form.

Download (PDF, 266KB)

Send us your entries for the WPRA LOCKDOWN SUMMER 2020 EXHIBITION

 To celebrate the achievements of the younger generation under lockdown, we would like to give our young people (up to the age of 18), the opportunity to showcase a piece of visual art, a film, a poem or a story that will be enjoyed by our community.

We are asking for contributions of works on the broad subject of ‘Lockdown’ which could, for example, include art inspired by this unprecedented time, art that has been created due to the opportunity to notice nature, or art demonstrating the development of new skills.

The ‘Lockdown’ exhibits will be displayed on the WPRA website, Facebook page and in the September issue of WP News.

Please send any contributions digitally by email to: chair@wp-ra.org.uk by Friday 31 July 2020.

Please also complete the attached form and send it to us with the contribution to confirm that WPRA has permission to publish the piece with the name and age of the child/student. This could just be a first name.

The committee reserves the right to select pieces that meet the objectives of the exhibition and, depending on the level of interest, may need to limit the amount of work that is exhibited.

We are looking forward very much to receiving your art work and having the opportunity to share it with our local community.

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