Advice for older people to stay safe and well as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted

by
NHS Leeds CCG | West Yorkshire CANN

We are sharing some advice from Leeds NHS around older people keeping safe and concerns they may have as restrictions come to an end. Key points are below and you can read more at https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/coronavirus/take-care-of-you/

“As we enter a new phase of living with the virus we would like to share with you some key advice and messages that may make you feel a bit safer and secure, when adjusting to new guidance. We know many older people may have had difficult experiences during the pandemic and we would like you to know we are here to offer advice and signposting.

COVID-19 continues to be a feature of our lives, so this next phase is around learning to live with it and managing the risk to ourselves and others.

Rates of COVID-19 infection are high and we should all continue to be cautious, help to reduce the risk of spread and protect people at highest risk of serious illness.

If you have not yet had your vaccine, we are here to support you whenever you are ready.

You are no longer legally required to wear a mask, social distance or self-isolate, but our advice is to continue to wear a mask in enclosed and crowded spaces such as public transport and health and care settings. Public Health advice still recommends self-isolation if you test positive for COVID-19.

If you are still working you no longer need to work from home.

Where possible, meet outdoors and let fresh air into homes and other enclosed spaces.

Many people will be excited about the return to the way things were before COVID-19, whilst others, may be more cautious.

Please get both doses of the vaccine and the COVID-19 booster if you are eligible to make sure you have the highest level of protection.

It is also important to reduce the risk of spread by washing hands, getting tested if you have symptoms, and isolating if advised to do so.

Top Tips

We want to make the advice as relevant and as clear as possible. We have created these Top Tips for you to use:

If you wish to wear one, keep a mask handy – in a purse, pocket, the car or your bag

Do keep washing your hands for 20 seconds or more

Remember to carry some hand sanitiser and use it regularly

Avoid busy, indoor spaces and meet outside if you wish

Take an extra step – try to keep some distance from others where you can

Let the fresh air in – open more windows or sit near a door

Please ask friends and family to take a lateral flow test before they visit you

Please ask family members to take extra care and follow the hands, face, space guidance if you are helping out with child-care or going on trips.

Vaccine Bus at Little London Community Centre

by

If you’ve yet to get your vaccine or booster, the vaccine bus will be at the community centre on Oatland drive on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday this week, 8:30-11:30am.

A nurse will be available to answer any questions.

Appointments not needed, you can just go along for 1st, 2nd or booster Pfizer vaccine.

Image

Councillors’ Advice Surgery at Caring Together

by

Our local councillors for Headingley and Hyde Park ward (which also covers most of Woodhouse) will be holding their monthly Woodhouse advice surgery at our premises tomorrow.

They will be at Caring Together on Charing Cross shopping centre (Woodhouse Street, LS6 2PY – across from the Londis shop/Post Office) from 5pm – 6pm, Tuesday 8th March

Any resident who needs help or advice from the councillors is welcome to come along at this time.

New service launches designed to discourage and tackle anti-social behaviour in inner north-west Leeds

by

A unique service tackling anti-social behaviour and noise in Headingley, Hyde Park, Little Woodhouse and Burley launched this week, thanks to a unique partnership between the council and its two biggest universities.

The dedicated service is a national first, with Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds funding overnight patrols, seven days a week, by council response officers.

The officers will work exclusively on noise and anti-social behaviour issues in inner north-west Leeds. They will carry out patrols to identify and stop potential issues from escalating while also providing capacity to respond to more calls, more quickly. The partnership will provide additional call-handling capacity at weekends and during peak times throughout the year, including Freshers’ week and end of assessments.

In what is a significant investment by the universities, as well as a major commitment by the partnership to improve the communities, the service is supported by a new Community Coordinator to keep the service working and improving efficiently.

The partnership will monitor and regularly share updates on the performance and impact of the service, and hold termly meetings with residents’ association leaders.

This new venture builds upon the Leeds Universities and Colleges’ long-established Neighbourhood Helpline service and Enhanced Noise Service.

Community members can also join a network of ‘key individuals’ to complete short, regular feedback surveys to help to develop the service. Please email dedicatedservice@leeds.gov.uk if you live, work or run a business in the area and can spare a few minutes every month. 

Unique service launches designed to discourage and tackle anti-social behaviour in inner north-west Leeds: Dedicated service officer

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: 

“While universities make an incredibly positive contribution to Leeds’ culture and economy, we also recognise that some issues can arise in all communities with a student population.

“While these issues are not unique to Leeds, our response is. The dedicated service is a national first, building on years of partnership and listening to communities.”

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said:

“Building and maintaining positive relations in the city is a priority for Leeds’ seven universities. We work with student unions, landlords, police and the council to support our students to live in diverse and vibrant residential communities.  

“Leeds’ 70,000 students contribute significantly to the city’s economy and the majority play a positive role in their communities. This service recognises community concerns over the minority that behave inappropriately, and strengthens the partnership’s ability to respond to and deal with that behaviour.” 

Professor Simone Buitendijk, vice chancellor of the University of Leeds, said:

“Together with our other partners across the city, we recognise the significant impact that noise and anti-social behaviour can have in the communities in which our students live.

“The introduction of this dedicated service is an important step forward for our collective approach in preventing as well as responding to these issues.

“We will also continue to work together to deliver an enhanced programme of good citizenship activities to ensure our students play an active and positive role in community life.”

Pango Simwaka, Union Affairs Officer at Leeds Beckett Student Union, said:

”Improving the relationship between students and residents in our community has always been a priority for us at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union.

“As a union, we welcome the new dedicated anti-social Behaviour and noise nuisance service and are happy to join forces with the universities and partners on this initiative.

“It’s important that we all work together to create a community which we are proud to live in, while also remembering the positive changes that the students and the universities bring to Leeds.  

“We’re keen to show that the vast majority of students in Leeds really value their time in our city and are proud to study here.”

Reporting concerns

In spite of the new dedicated patrol service, there are no changes to how anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance are reported. 

5pm to 4am every day                 0113 3760337

Between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, or if you do not require an immediate response, call 0113 222 4402

You can also report online using the council’s web form for anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance

The Community Coordinator will provide a link between the service and local communities, working closely with a new community relations post at Leeds Beckett University and the Student Citizenship team at the University of Leeds.

From Couch to Chorus – Sing into Spring 2022

by

Virtual Choir – Weekly 2nd to 24th March

For more details and how to book: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/from-couch-to-chorus-2022

Opera North’s Virtual Choir is back. Join together with a community of like-minded singers, from complete beginners to experienced choir-goers – everyone is welcome.

From improvements in memory and pain relief, to a boost in confidence and the release of ‘happy’ chemicals… singing is really great for you! Find out a bit more about some of the benefits to both your mental and physical health. https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/10-reasons-singing-is-good-for-you

Coronavirus Update from Leeds City Council

by
Header NEW

Dear resident

This week the government announced its plan for living safely with Covid-19. The plan centres on vaccines as the first line of defence against coronavirus and encourages safe behaviours based on public health advice, rather than restrictions enforced by law.

The plan acknowledges that Covid-19 is here to stay and explains that the virus will be managed in future in a similar way to other infectious diseases such as flu. The prevalence of Covid is decreasing and there is great progress being made on treatments. Nonetheless, the lifting of the restrictions designed to keep us all safe may be a source of anxiety for those who feel vulnerable. As we adjust to the new normal, we can support one another by remembering the simple precautions and consideration for others that have become part of everyday life.

In this update we will outline the implications of the new approach for people in Leeds, and the support available for individuals, businesses and communities as we look ahead to the Covid recovery period.

Photo of sunrise in Leeds near canal

Living with Covid in England

The government’s living with Covid plan is being phased in between now and April and includes some key changes that will impact families and individuals.

Self-isolation is no longer legally enforced if you test positive for Covid-19. Instead you are strongly advised to self-isolate until you test negative on two consecutive days. The rules requiring close contacts to test or isolate, depending on their age and vaccination status, have ceased to apply and contact tracing has stopped.

As a result, provision for people self-isolating has ended, including support payments, nationally funded practical assistance and medicine delivery services. The Covid-19 provisions which expedited the payment of statutory sick pay and employment support allowance will end on 24 March. For help and advice if you are struggling financially visit help with food and household bills on the council website.

Testing provision will be scaled back under the living with Covid plan to focus on the most at-risk groups. Lateral flow tests will no longer be freely available after 31 March. Refreshed guidance will be issued advising people how to maintain safe behaviours and minimise the risk of infection for themselves and others.

In the spring, the vaccination programme will expand to offer an additional booster dose to those most at risk from Covid-19, including over-75s, older care home residents and vulnerable people over the age of 12.

Visit the government website for a summary of the plan for living with Covid and to read the plan in full. The plan also covers changes that impact businesses and employers.

Man receives vaccination. Caption reads Book an appointment or attend a drop-in centre if you have not had your vaccine yet

Living with Covid-19 in Leeds

The Covid case rate in Leeds has declined by 26% in the past week, to 348 per 100K. Although the city’s case rate is lower than the rate in England, the trend reflects the national position with infections remaining high despite the gradual fall in numbers.

Public health advice in Leeds is therefore to remain cautious and take whatever action you can to prevent the spread of infection. Please continue to stay at home if you are unwell, let in fresh air when indoors, wash your hands regularly and wear face coverings in crowded indoor spaces.

The Covid vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from infection and serious illness. Whether you need a first, second or booster dose the vaccine offer remains in place across the city. Visit the NHS in Leeds for details of local clinics.

The government’s living with Covid plan addresses future monitoring and management of coronavirus. Leeds City Council’s public health team will continue to work closely with health service colleagues to monitor the local position, contain outbreaks and manage any new variants of concern.

For local information and links to the latest national guidance visit the coronavirus page on the council website.

Applications invited for hospitality and leisure grants

There is still time to apply for financial support if you run a hospitality, leisure or accommodation business which was affected by coronavirus restrictions.

The Omicron hospitality and leisure grant is offered to businesses based in Leeds at premises subject to business rates. Applicants must have been registered as the current rate payer on 30 December 2021.

The grants are worth up to £6,000 depending on the rateable value of your premises. Please apply online by the deadline of Friday 18 March.

Energy bills rebate to reach households via council tax

The government recently announced that in April they will provide a one-off energy bills rebate of £150 for most households in council tax bands A to D. You will not have to repay this money, which is to help you with rising energy costs.

We will administer the payment via the council tax billing system, so if you think you may be eligible you don’t need to do anything for now. We will be in touch with more information shortly once the government has clarified how the system will work.

You may wish to arrange payment by Direct Debit if you don’t already pay your council tax this way. This will help us pay the rebate to you as quickly as possible. Find out more at How to pay your council tax.

Join our outstanding social care team

Are you looking for rewarding work as we move on from Covid-19? Could you make a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds? Our award-winning social care team needs you!

Visit Leeds City Council’s Jobs and careers page to find opportunities for experienced and newly qualified professionals – in social care and many other roles too.

Man at home with visiting care worker

Local theatres stage a recovery with 2-for-1 tickets

The cultural recovery is well underway after successive lockdowns forced the arts sector online during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leeds theatres are taking part in the Love Your Local Theatre campaign, supported by The National Lottery, which aims to encourage post-Covid recovery in the entertainment industry.

The campaign offers 2-for-1 theatre tickets to National Lottery players. Visit Love Your Local Theatre to find a participating venue near you.

Leeds Lit Fest 2022 – online and in person

by
a graphic image of a person reading

Leeds Lit Fest starts today and runs until 6th March. The city’s award winning festival of words and thought returns for its fourth year and there is a mixture of online and in person events. Many of these are free or pay as you feel.

It will include author talks, a literary quiz, songs from the commoners choir, storytelling, writers workshops, movie nights and lots more

You can see all the events here https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/leeds-lit-fest-2022 or visit the website for lots more information www.leedslitfest.co.uk

Online event from M&S Archive

by

The next online event from M&S is tomorrow

Friday 25th February at 12.30-1pm

M&S on Film: Marketing M&S! Adverts, adverts and more adverts, looking at how cinema and TV were used to market products. Exploring the history of M&S advertising through archive film collection, from Swinging Sixties cinema adverts to iconic food campaigns.

A colour screenshot from a 1960s advert for M&S clothing. Three women stand in an ultra-modern 60s kitchen looking at plates of canapes.

Online Event

This is a pre-recorded talk featuring original archive images introduced by the Archivist, who will be available to respond to questions during and following the talk.

Running time – 30 minutes.

Click here to join the event, the talk will start automatically at 12.30pm.

Visit the M&S Archive website https://marksintime.marksandspencer.com