The next Parish Council Meeting is due to be held on
Monday 15 February 2021 at 7.30pm
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A WEEK LATER THAN USUAL
The meeting will be held remotely using Zoom and members of the public who wish to participate should check the agenda (or email the Clerk) for the meeting link and password. Any questions or comments relating to the agenda may also be emailed to the Clerk
Rachel Fletcher
Ardleigh Parish Council Clerk
01206 619532 (answerphone)
PO Box 12865, Colchester, CO7 7EZ
Village Hall Enquiries & Bookings
ardleighvillagehall@hotmail.com
Sue 07519 330089
With the exception of Ardleigh Pre-School the hall is not expected to be available for bookings until Easter 2021.
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic there has been a local helpline on 01206 322025 and this continues to be available. Please leave a message with your name, phone number and what you would like help with and someone will get back to you the same day (Mon-Fri). For example you may like some help to get shopping, or a prescription or just to have a friendly chat with someone.
If you would like to volunteer to respond to requests for help or be available to offer phone support and friendship please send your name, email, address and phone to stmaryda@gmail.com Please also check on your neighbours and offer support if you can..
Please follow the government advice on social distancing and self isolation and stay up to date with the latest announcements here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Our Community this Christmas
Please remember to look out for your neighbours and local community members. Ardleigh has shown amazing community spirit throughout the pandemic including in the run up to Christmas. Remember to ask for help if you need it. And if you can, please ring up neighbours and check in on how they’re doing. Make sure also that the neighbours receive a call on Christmas day to give them some social interaction and stop them from feeling too lonely.
We want to ensure that residents are able to access the support they need. We may contact you to check. There is Privacy Notice relating to information we may hold about residents.
Some other useful contacts are listed below
Practical support- such as help with shopping or essential supplies
Tendring Helpline For those who are sheilding/ extremely clinically vulnerable and other vulnerable groups unable to access vital supplies. https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus 01255 686700
Essex Wellbeing Service The Essex Welfare Service launched in response to Covid-19 and has supported 9,000 vulnerable residents since March 2020. Now the service has relaunched as the Essex Wellbeing Service and continues to be available to all. The Essex Wellbeing Service provides a single, easy to use access point to practical, emotional and social care support. Essexwellbeingservice.co.uk 0300 303 9988
Advice and financial support
Citizens Advice Tendring
Get advice and information at any time on our website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/tendring/ Phone 01255 377080 email supervisor@cabtendring.org.uk. Christmas opening 29/30/31 December only. Normal hours resume 4 January Mon-Thursday 10:00 - 4:00 Or National Adviceline 03444 111 444
Ardleigh Parochial Charity
We are very lucky in Ardleigh to have a charity to help Ardleigh parish residents, who are in hardship, to fund essential items. Email ardleighparochialcharity@gmail.com with your contact details and someone will get back to you
Bills, Food and Household Essentials Support
If you’re struggling to pay household bills because of the pandemic this Christmas, emergency help is available. You can apply to the Essential Living Fund for help with energy and water bills, food and household essentials. For more information, visit Essex County Council’s Emergency Support page or call 0300 7900124. Other support for residents is available on their website over this period.
Other helplines including mental health support
Samaritans
The Samaritans aim to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom, often through their telephone helpline. Whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are well trained for the rise in reports of suicidal thoughts which happen during the Christmas period. Call 116 123 for free to get help. You can also email jo@samaritans.org and you will receive a response within 24 hours. The Samaritans also have a self-help app which can help you keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis. NHS 111 can also give you someone to talk to in the event that you are having suicidal thoughts and would like to seek different approach to accessing support.
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a leading movement against suicide. Through this challenging time they are currently supporting more people than ever before through by taking far more calls and web-chats than usual. If you need help, are worried about someone, need support after someone you know has committed suicide or need help and support on some other specific issue then CALM can help. Please find the following link to learn more about CALM and access expert counselling: https://www.thecalmzone.net. Alternatively, call 0800 58 58 58 from 5 pm to midnight, 365 days a year. Text ‘SHOUT’ if you need immediate support from a mental health counsellor.
Christmas Mental Health
Not everyone feels in the festive mood over Christmas at the best of times. After the year we’ve all had, more of us may find our mental health affected by loss, loneliness, family, work or financial stress. Feelings of grief, anger, confusion, anxiety or being overwhelmed are natural, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. Essex County Councils Adult Mental Health team is working up to the close of business 24th December and is then open again on the 30th & 31st December. Access to emergency services and crisis support are available throughout. Please visit their website to find out more about:
Medical issues
Do not leave your home if you have coronavirus symptoms. Check the NHS web site https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home. You can also use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Ardleigh Surgery is our local NHS Doctors' Surgery is https://www.ardleighsurgery.nhs.uk/ Surgery will be operating as usual but with essential-only access to the surgery. Anyone needing an appointment will be given a telephone slot. Any patients who need to be seen following asessment by the GP will be seen in a COVID safe manner. To make an appointment or speak to the receptionist please telephone the Surgery on 01206 230224
Pharmacies Please visit www.nhs.uk to check the availability of local pharmacies. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet please ask a relative or friend to check for you, or call NHS 111 (please note that NHS 111 are currently dealing with high volumes of calls).
Coronavirus web links and latest news
These links might be helpful for information or advice:
Tendring District Council Coronavirus page https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus
Esssex County Council to see the latest news and updates from Essex County Council on Covid-19, the Christmas period and various other areas of public interest, please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/latest-news. This website is updated on a daily basis.
Government guidance for Coronavirus https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS guidance for Coronavirus https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/