The Winter Wellbeing Toolkit on Leeds City Council’s website brings together lots of information, practical help, and advice, covering everything from coronavirus and winter flu to what to do if threatened by severe weather and flooding.
Take a look at: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/winter-wellbeing
It is International Thank You Day today so we want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our volunteers, members, supporters and our local community for all the ways you help us and each other all year round.
From 11th January, if you get a postive result from a lateral flow test, you will not need to take a PCR test to confirm the result.
You should self-isolate immediately.
You should isolate for at least 7 days. Take further lateral flow tests on day 6 and 7 and if they are negative you can stop isolating. If the tests are still positive at this stage, continue to isolate either for 10 days or until you get a negative result 2 days in a row.
If you have symptoms you should still get a PCR test – either online at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
Lateral Flow Tests – these tests are to be used if you do not have symptoms and the advice is test regularly or when you are likely to be coming into contact with other people.
You should also take lateral flow tests if you have been in contact with someone who has covid – the advice in this situation is to test daily for 7 days.
There are a number of different lateral flow tests available so always read the instructions as they vary, videos showing how to do the tests can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-self-test-help?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=3390fc32-d628-450e-a579-661ce078d95e&utm_content=daily#videos-how-to-do-a-rapid-test
You can get lateral flow tests from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms or call 119. They can be ordered for delivery or you can get a code to collect from a pharmacy. Note there has been high demand for tests recently and so there may not be availability when you first try but more do become availble at different points in each day so keep checking.
Changes are also being made for anyone travelling into the UK. From 4am Friday, fully vaccinated adults & under 18s don’t need to take a pre-departure test before entering England. From 4am Sunday, fully vaccinated adults & over 5s must take a post-arrival lateral flow test. A PCR is needed if they test positive.
If you are travelling out of the UK you will need to check the travel rules for the country you plan to visit.
Full details for all the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
This Thursday 6th January is our first ‘Online Elevenses’ for 2022. It is a virtual catch up for anyone wishing to join us online? We meet once a month online to catch up from the comfort of our own homes and natter in a warm friendly space. We would love to see you.
If yes, just message me lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call 07436 530073 and I can send you an invite.
Grief and the healing process following a loss, no not matter how long ago, is not something we just ‘get over’. It is different for everyone and can be an incredibly hard and deeply sorrowful experience with some days being better than others. We just learn to rebuild our life without them around the loss. It can feel like it is just there at times and can flare up out of the blue. Talking and being in a supportive space with friends, family and others for group support and understanding can help.
At Caring Together we have a ‘Bereavement Support Group’ on the first Monday of the month for anyone who wishes to come along. This space and time is for you no matter when your loss was, be it 30 years, 10years or just last year.
A warm welcome, compassion, and a cuppa will be on offer.
Our next date is: Monday 10th January 2022 @11am Venue: Caring Together premises, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY
“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.” William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Please just call, text 07436 530073 or email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk if you wish to come along.
Warmly, Lisa
Last year held some wonderful memories and at other times not. And where sadness and loss prevailed we send our deepest sympathies to you at this time. None of us know what this year will hold. Our way of connecting will likely continue to be different as we navigate the unknown. Yet as we adapt, the turning of the seasons and a New Year bring us hope as we all go on working to find our own ways for each of us to feel seen, supported and heard.
All the best for the coming year and may it be one of finding balance, a sense of peace, and contentment.
Our offices will be closed over the festive season from mid day Christmas Eve until Tuesday 4th January 2022, however we will still be checking in on some members on Christmas Day and periodically throughout the week. I have also added below some useful contacts where needed.
But before we sign off to take some time to recharge for ourselves we have brought together a short video of just some of the things we have been up to in the last month together. It has been a mixture of some truly sad times peppered with some fun times along the way. It does not cover everything but we hope you enjoy it and we look forward to being back again on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Our thoughts are with you all at this time. And we thank you all for your kindness and support throughout the Year in Caring Together. Wishing you all a peaceful and safe holidays.
Press play and turn the volume on if you wish!
Also, please see below a copy of our useful contacts for over the holidays from our recent newsletter.
Useful-numbers-dec-21
If you don’t have a car, there are two walk-through testing sites for people living or working within walking distance. You can also drive to the one in Woodhouse and just park up near the testing site.
The sites are at:
The Mandela Community Centre, Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 3HY
Cinder Moor, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS6 2UZ
Both sites are open seven days a week from 8.00am to 6.00pm and will be throughout the holiday season. To use the walk-through testing sites, it is best to have a pre-booked appointment which can be done through the NHS website or by ringing 119.
https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/…/coronavirus-where-to-go…/
Open Christmas Eve – 24th December 2021
Open from 9am to 11am
Collect from: 14 Oatland Place, Little London, Leeds LS7 1JT
*Multicultural Foods available*
Leeds Central SDA Church, Adventist Community Services, Meanwood Road, LS7
https://leedscentral.adventistchurch.org.uk/
We had our last digital session this week. We have been having some fun. We made a mini drama along with some pictures that we took. We hope you enjoy!
If safe to do so, we look forward to being back again in the New Year to continue our learning together. If you wish to come along then please get in touch. Call: 07436 530073 or Email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk
Press play…
