Category Archives: Keeping Safe

‘Hybrid Bingo this week’: online and in person’

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With an upturned bin, two camping chairs, and some sticky back plastic…. more of us could join together this month for our regular monthly Bingo. Thanks to this make shift space it meant another 5 were able to join us (6 including myself), which made a heartwarming baker’s dozen.

I will be hosting some more in the coming months so if you would like to join us then please do get in touch. Email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call 07436 530073.

Shared Moments: ‘Meanwood Valley Urban Farm Stroll’

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We were able to make the most of yet more beautiful sunny days this week with two walks to Meanwood Valley Urban Farm (https://www.mvuf.org.uk/). They opened last week. The cakes and breakfast sandwiches are definitely worth a try, if you have not tried already.

I will be going again in the coming weeks so if you would like to join us then please do get in touch. It is about a mile from our new offices. It is a lovely quiet and peaceful walk. Email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call 07436 530073. We can walk together or you can meet us there.

Stress – Know the signs and tips to cope

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April is stress awareness month.

Stress is something everyone feels at times, and there are all kinds of stressful situations that can be a part of daily life. Low-level stress can even be helpful or motivational.

But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of adults in the UK have felt unable to cope or overwhelmed by stress.

There are plenty of things you can do to help cope with stressful events, and simple steps you can take to deal with feelings of stress or burnout.

The One You/Every Mind Matters website has lots of helpful information on the causes and signs of stress and tips to help you deal with it.  https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/stress/

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New test centres added in Leeds for residents to get rapid covid tests

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A major new testing programme has been launched for residents in Leeds in a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Around one in three people with COVID-19 have no symptoms and will spread it without realising.

Now, to stop this risk by finding new cases, Leeds City Council is offering a number of options across the city for residents to take part in community testing.

The new community testing centres, where you can pick up tests are:

City Centre Community Hub, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 8LX

Armley Community Hub & Library, 2 Stocks Hill, Armley, LS12 1UQ

Deacon House Centre, Seacroft Avenue, Leeds, LS14 6JD

Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library, 190 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6PF

Halton Library, 273 Selby Road, LS15 7JR; The Compton Centre Community Hub & Library, Harehills Lane, Harehills, LS9 7BG

The Reginald Centre, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 3EX.

Opening hours 10am to 4pm Mon to Fri and 10am to 1pm Saturday except City Centre Community Hub which doesn’t open Saturdays.

These are in addition to the existing community testing options we have previously told you about and which are as follows:

A home ordering service – https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

Collection at a local test site during specific test collection time windows – https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site.

Pharmacies offering home test collection – https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/.

Testing on-site at Leeds Beckett University – City Campus LS1 3HE (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 2pm) Headingley Campus LS6 3QS (Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm).

Residents should have two tests during a week-long period. Please note this community testing is only for people with NO SYMPTOMS. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a test.

Public health leaders in the city hope as many residents as possible will take part in the new initiative to protect both themselves and others.

Next stage of “lockdown roadmap” – what are the rules from today?

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Today marks the next step in lockdown easing, however government and the health service are all stressing the importance of continuing to be careful and protect ourselves and others. Many restrictions remain in place and, very importantly you must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies, and continue to social distance when meeting people outdoors.

Here’s what changes from today:

  • non-essential retail can reopen
  • personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting
  • public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
  • outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only
  • most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen
  • some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place
  • indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
  • all childcare and supervised activities are allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
  • weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
  • self-contained accommodation can stay open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
  • care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)
  • you should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the amount that you travel where possible

 

Keeping yourself and others safe:

Social distancing is still very important. You should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 metres apart.

You should follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times, including if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

Last chance to have your say on future of transport in Leeds

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The citywide consultation about the future of transport in Leeds will end on 11 April, so there’s no better time than now to have your say.

The draft Connecting Leeds transport strategy is for everyone to enjoy healthy, affordable and low carbon travel choices. The strategy aims to tackle the climate emergency, deliver inclusive growth, and improve the health and well-being of Leeds residents. It’s about the universal access to accessible, affordable and sustainable travel choice.

Don’t miss your last chance to have your say, as the consultation comes to a close on Sunday 11 April.

There have been an number of online webinars as part of this, if you missed them you can catch up with them here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLggQFjpTLgpIsUUkFuM7xSKYBmJXrJpcF

And you can read more about the plans and share your views here https://leedstransportstrategy.commonplace.is/overview?utm_campaign=LIP

Six Big Moves

A reminder that the six ‘big moves’ outlined in the strategy act as an action plan to create a people-first, affordable and integrated transport network across the city that isn’t reliant upon the private car. They are:

• Thinking about transport differently
• Transforming the city centre
• Opportunities for mass transport
• Enhancing public transport
• De-carbonising transport
• Creating healthier streets, spaces and communities.

Leeds City Council Coronavirus update – Support for people and communities – April 1, 2021

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Message from Leeds City Council (from yesterday)
Dear resident,
We hope you’re safe and keeping well.
This week we have an update for you on the new restriction rules, advice for people who are shielding and information on business grants.
An update on Leeds’ infection rates
Every Leeds resident makes a difference to Covid infection rates in our city. When you continue to follow the government guidance, meet fewer people outdoors and stay local, you help to keep everyone safe.
There is a lot to look forward to, as we move ahead on the government roadmap towards fewer restrictions, but we need to be cautious and keep infection rates low.
We’re making real progress in Leeds, but our Covid rate is now 117.8 per 100,000 (up from 102.1 last week), and above the England average of 54.9. The new UK variant spreads very easily, and outbreaks are occurring in workplaces and high schools.
The recent figures show that fewer people are in hospital, and fewer outbreaks are happening in care homes, with falling infections among over-60s (31.7 per 100,000 12% lower this week).
Vaccinations are in progress, with over 349,000 people in Leeds having received the jab as of 30 March (about 48% of the population) but new infections are still happening.
As restrictions relax, it’s even more important to remember that people are still vulnerable. Please act as though you have the virus, follow the hands/face/space, test/trace/isolate rules, and keep working.
More information around vaccinations and testing can be found on the Leeds CCG website. Information to support businesses and individuals can be found on the council’s website.
Reminder of new restriction rules
This week, the government has taken a step to gradually ease lockdown restrictions. Although the “Stay At Home” rule has ended, you are still expected to minimise travel and work from home wherever possible. If you cannot work from home, minimise your number of journeys and avoid commuting during busy times.
Travelling abroad will remain prohibited unless for a small number of permitted reasons which does not include holidays.
You are now able to:
Attend outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people (the rule of six) or two households.
Visit outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, open-air swimming pools and attend formally organised outdoor sports. Temple Newsam and Roundhay golf courses are reopening too.
With the bank holiday weekend upon us, it’s a great time to catch up with loved ones, but please follow the guidance on staying local, only travelling when absolutely necessary and meeting outdoors only.
It is really important to consider that the UK variant of Covid passes from one person to another much more easily than other strains of the virus. Around 1 in 3 people have coronavirus without displaying the symptoms which means that if one person in a group or household has the virus, it’s much more likely they will pass it on to others.
The government has issued guidance on meeting outdoors and research suggests that the risk of infection is significantly lower in fresh air than indoors.
So as restrictions relax we must keep following the guidelines, act as if we have the virus, and remember – hands, face, space and fresh air.
For more information, visit: http://orlo.uk/Rl8Q8
Celebrating Easter safely
If you are celebrating Easter this weekend, please continue to follow the current national restrictions. If you plan to meet with friends and family outdoors, remember to follow the ‘rule of six’, to wash your hands and to remain 2 metres apart from those you don’t live with.
If you’re planning to visit one of the parks in Leeds, please remember to take your rubbish home with you and leave the area how you found it.
Wishing all that are celebrating a Happy Easter.

Caring Together’s Elevenses was online and in person today!

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Dear all,

We are a year on and our Elevenses group continues to meet online once a week. And today we had four more members join us for Elevenses; in person  I took the technology and the online group to them. It was their first time on zoom and mine hosting the online, and in person (s) session together. It was a surprise for those who regularly meet. We all loved it and enjoyed getting together, safely and without breaching lock down rules! It even incorporated an IT session beforehand too. It was a bit cold but well worth it and something we are definitely doing again.

Elevenses every Thursday with Caring Together 11am to 12noon

If you wish to join us, get in touch; lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call 07436 530073