Category Archives: Community News

New Covid Rules

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Covid rules are changing again this week because of concern over a new variant of Covid19 called Omicron

From tomorrow (Tuesday 30th November):

It will be compulsory to wear a mask or face covering on public transport and in shops and other settings such as banks hairdressers, unless you are exempt. (it is recommended to do this now)

All close contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. This is regardless of a person’s vaccination status

Anyone entering the UK from another country will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. Anyone travelling from a Red List country will have to quarantine for 10 days

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Government is describing these measures as precautionary and temporary and they are to be reviewed in 3 weeks.

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Keeping Safe – take a test even if you only have mild symptoms

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We are sharing this video from NHS today. Covid is still very much with us and the symptoms, if mild, could easily be mistaken for a cold or other seasonal virus so the advice is to stay at home and get a test if you have any symptoms.

Get a test either here https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

Lord Mayor to lead Remembrance Sunday tributes in Leeds

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Lord Mayor to lead Remembrance Sunday tributes in Leeds: War Memorial

Members of all communities across Leeds are warmly invited to join the Lord Mayor on Victoria Gardens to mark Remembrance Sunday.

For those who are unable to attend this year there will also be the opportunity to watch the service via a live stream at: https://www.facebook.com/Leedscouncil/

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan, will lead the tributes to service men and women who have lost their lives in times of conflict on Remembrance Sunday.

Held on Sunday 14 November, the people of Leeds are once again invited to join the Lords Mayor as he lays a wreath at the war memorial on Victoria Gardens on behalf of the people of Leeds.

 A procession will leave Leeds Civic Hall and head to Victoria Gardens at 10:50am where a number of wreaths will be laid.

This procession will as tradition, follow ex-service men and women plus members of ex-service organisations and current serving military organisations who will gather near to the City Museum on Rossington Street at 10.30am before marching to the war memorial.

Amongst those joining the Lord Mayor in the parade will be the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Tim Hare, the Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, and the Leeds Children’s Mayor Zulaykha Hussain.

Led by the Bishop of Kirkstall, Rt Reverend Paul Slater, the multi-faith service will be shown on two big screens around the war memorial to allow members of the public who are not near the front to watch the proceedings.

At 11am there will be a two-minute silence which will be preceded by a bugler who will sound the Last Post.

After the service, the Lord Mayor and civic representatives will proceed to the steps of the Town Hall where a salute and march past will take place.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan said: “Remembrance Sunday is a time when the city comes together to honour the heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices made by so many of our armed forces during times of conflict.

Last year we had to remember from our homes and mark the occasion individually, it is therefore wonderful that we are once again able to come together as a city and remember in person once again this year.”

Public Health Information

Members of the public are politely requested to take a lateral flow test before attending the remembrance event at Victoria Gardens and check for Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell). If you test positive or develop any Covid-19 symptoms you should self-isolate and get a free NHS test. You should also not attend the event if you are required to self-isolate, for example because you have had a positive test, or have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

Don’t miss out on Warm Home Discount

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Warm Home Discount would give you £140 towards your winter fuel bills. It is paid in the form of a credit on your electricity bill from your supplier (if you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier you may be able to ask for it to be transferred to your gas account).

To get it your supplier must be part of the scheme – all the larger companies have to take part but it is voluntary for smaller firms although many of them do take part.

There are 2 ways you might qualify for this:

Core Group: If on the qualifying date (this year 4th July 2021) you were getting Guarantee Pension Credit and your, or your partner’s name was on the electricity bill, you will be eligible in the core group. You shouldn’t need to claim – the DWP should write to you with the details and you should get the discount on your bill sometime between November 2021 and March 2022. If you are in this group and DWP have not written to you by December contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 731 0214 to check.

Broader Group: Most suppliers who are part of the scheme will also give this discount to customers who are on a low income and/or get some means tested benefits. The exact qualifying criteria varies from different suppliers and you do have to appy for this so if you think this applies to you, contact your supplier directly to find out if you can get it.

Most suppliers have a limited fund for this so apply as soon as you can.

What if your energy supplier fails? If you are in the Core Group and your supplier fails, you should still be paid automatically to your new energy account, If you are in the Broader Group then you would need to re-apply to your new supplier as soon as your new account is set up.

Details can be found on https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme and including a list of all energy suppliers who are part of the scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers

If you want help with Warm Home Discount please contact Valerie on 07483333115 or email valerie@caringtogether.org.uk

‘Monthly Bereavement Support Group’ at Caring Together

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Come and meet other bereaved people for group support and understanding. A warm welcome, cuppa and biscuits will also be on offer too. We are meeting together on the first Monday of each month.
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Next one is this Monday 1st November @11am – 12noon
Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY
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If you are interested, or just want to know more then please do get in touch. Call Lisa 07436 530073, or email if you wish: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk

Skills Share: crafting together

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We have loved getting together for our skills share sessions. We are having a break this week but we are back next week. Due to ill health our first get together back we will continue with Crocheting/Knitting and Sewing. We will commence the card making for the following 2 sessions all being well thereafter. We will review this nearer the time.
We look forward to seeing you next week for some good company, nattering, sharing, a cuppa and a bit of creativity.
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When: Wednesday 3rd, 10th & 17th November 2021
Time: 11am to 12.30pm
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Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY at 11am
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Contact Lisa 07436 530073, or email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk if you require any further information. Note: We can also bring something to you as well if you are not able to get to us.

Make a your Will and help a charity – Will Aid month

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HomeNovember will be Will Aid Month.  During this month  participating solicitors donate their time and skills to draw up a basic Will for clients without charging their usual fee. Instead, they invite their clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid.   Donations support the vital work of the nine Will Aid charities to help people in need in the UK and around the world.

The suggested donation is £100 for a single will or £180 for a pair of mirror wills (less than the usual fees charged) but you are free to donate as much or as little as you choose.

There are a number of solicitors locally taking part and many are offering online or telephone appointments as well as face to face.

To find out more and how to make a will aid appointment go to https://www.willaid.org.uk/will-makers