Pictured: Cllr Aled Richards-Jones, Cllr Louise Calland and Cllr Peter Dawson.
Welcome to Your Essential Northcote Update: April 2020
Dear Neighbour,
We hope that this finds you well during these uncertain times.
Firstly, we want to thank you all for following the Public Health England and Government advice to Stay at Home and if you need to go out abiding by the “social distancing” guidelines of keeping at least 2 meters apart from others. Wandsworth is one of the best areas in the country for abiding by these guidelines, so thank you for all your efforts.
This is the only way we will get through Covid-19 and show our personal support for everyone working in the NHS and the care system to look after us and our loved ones.
Locally, there are so many inspirational initiatives and unsung heroes that we want to pay tribute to including our NHS and social care staff, our refuse collectors, our street cleaners, our posties, our ward police team, the local businesses and delivery drivers and staff in our food shops and chemists, as well as charities, community groups and faith groups. Thank you also to all of you working in the Civil Service and our local public services to keep our society and communities functioning.
Northcote is also home to many wonderful schools. Their headteachers and staff are making tremendous efforts to support vulnerable children and families of key workers as well as providing support to parents and students for home schooling - well done and thank you. And well done to all parents and carers who are enduring the joys and trials of home schooling!
Many of our local businesses are adapting as best they can to the crisis, with many shops and bars offering takeaway services. You can find out what’s on offer at the The Junction website, which is regularly updated by the Clapham Junction Business Improvement District (BID) – do check it out and support our local businesses.
To ensure you keep up to date with what the Council is doing and how it is adapting to any updates from Public Health England and the Government please sign up for Wandsworth’s regular e-bulletin.
As ever, if there is anything we as councillors can help with, or if there’s anything you would like to share with us, then please just drop us a line.
Best wishes
Aled, Louise and Peter
Stay at Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives
The expert advice is clear, we all need to stay at home and minimise our social interaction for the next few weeks in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The Government has said people should only leave the house for one of four reasons.
- Shopping for basic necessities for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
- Any medical need or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travelling to and from work but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
Helping Vulnerable People
The Council has created a Community Hub for residents, particularly those people who are elderly and/or vulnerable without support networks, who need support to access medical/care services and food supplies. It is designed to help those most in need to stay safe and well while they self-isolate at home.
You can call our Community Hub on 020 8871 6555 or click here to e-mail our Community Hub.
You can see a short video of the Council’s work with Wandsworth's AgeUK to deliver food parcels across the borough here.
You can find support for the voluntary and community sector by clicking here.
If you want to help
If you are an individual, business or organisation that is interested in helping, we would encourage you to visit our webpage and complete our online form in the ‘how your organisation can help’ section.
If you are an existing voluntary or community group in the borough, or one who has been formed in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, you can contact the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Co-ordination Project (part of the Care Alliance) to liaise with the Council.
Helping Businesses, Employees, and the Self-Employed
In response to the economic impact of the virus, the Chancellor has announced an unprecedented package of financial measures. The measures include business rate relief, grants and loans to keep businesses and the economy going during these difficult times.
Details of the schemes and how to apply can be found by here.
The Council has already paid out over £20 million of grants, helping hundreds of local businesses. So please do visit the website and see what your business can apply for.
Update on Council Services
The Council has had to reduce or change a number of services across the borough as part of the emergency response, here are some of services that are affected:
- All libraries and leisure centres are currently closed.
- Parks and green spaces remain open but signs have been placed on playgrounds and equipment reminding residents of the need to maintain social distancing measures.
- Rubbish and Recycling collections are running to schedule.
But we have had to postpone the collection of garden waste and we urge people not to dispose of bulky items at this time. The waste crews are doing a tremendous job keeping the service running with reduced staffing levels due to the virus. We have also had to close the tip at Smugglers Way for the time being.
Schools and Children
- School attendance in Wandsworth has been very low, which means local people are staying home to protect the NHS.
- We know it’s difficult having children unable to go out during the Easter holidays. The Council has put together a page with fun digital activities for young people, including yoga, audiobooks, boxing and cooking. There’s a section specifically on SEND, too: https://shar.es/aHhRZG
- Many Wandsworth schools are staying open during Easter for children of key workers and vulnerable children. A few have made alternative arrangements with nearby schools; you can contact your headteacher for details.
- Some key workers have been in touch because they need to work but their children’s private nurseries have closed. If you need help, please contact your ward councillors, who will try to help you find a place.
You can find the latest updates on the Council’s website.
Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter by clicking here.
Click on our names below to get in touch with us:
Cllr Aled Richards-Jones
Cllr Louise Calland
Cllr Peter Dawson
