News

Free Training to Support Community Volunteers

Volunteers provide an incredible range of support for their communities, and as we find ourselves in a winter lockdown the need for volunteers to support the coronavirus response with services like telephone support and befriending has never been greater. Checking in with someone who’s vulnerable and shielding is a fantastic way to check that they’re looking after their health and wellbeing as best they can, help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and confirm they have the essentials they need. Even a few minutes of physical activity can bring mental and physical health benefits. When volunteers are checking in on people in their communities, they should be able to ask about how active someone is as part of their overall health and wellbeing check.

Not everyone is comfortable talking about physical activity, so Active Norfolk is hosting two free training courses to help those working in the voluntary sector feel more confident in talking about it. Whether you’re a regular volunteer or have stepped in to support the coronavirus response, this free training will help you feel confident in talking about exercise and in supporting residents in their community with their health and wellbeing.

The course covers practical elements such as conversation starters, how to recommend physical activity, and ideas and resources to signpost to amongst others. The sessions will be held virtually on Thursday 11th February 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday 10th March 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

To find out more information and book your place, email Amy.Story@activenorfolk.org or visit https://www.activenorfolk.org/news/2021/01/training-to-help-community-volunteers-talk-about-pa

Domestic Abuse Help

Victims of domestic abuse are being urged to use the code ‘Ask Ani’ at a number of pharmacies across Norfolk by the police, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, councils and health organisations to enable them to get access to help.

The Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme was launched by the Home Office earlier this month to allow those suffering from abuse to discreetly signal they need help and support at a time where many victims are isolated at home with little opportunity to go out and access services.

The scheme has so far been adopted by all 2,300 Boots stores across the UK and includes stores across Norfolk (see full current list attached) and is growing in momentum with independent pharmacies signing up.

The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Group in Norfolk (DASVG), which involves Norfolk Constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN), councils and health organisations, is encouraging anyone who may be struggling to access support during lockdown to Ask for Ani – pronounced Annie – at participating pharmacies.

Gavin Thompson, Chair of the DASVG, said: “Home should be a place where people feel the safest particularly in the current climate.

“However, we know the lockdown restrictions caused by the pandemic can be very difficult for those affected by domestic abuse.

“It is vital we do all we can to ensure those who need immediate help and support are able to access it in a way which doesn’t put them at further risk.

“We welcome the introduction of this scheme and hope as many pharmacies as possible across Norfolk will take part – we must do all we can to protect those for whom home is not a safe space.”

Andy Coller, head of safeguarding for Norfolk Constabulary and Vice-Chair of the DASVG, said that the police are prepared for the Ask Ani calls coming in through the pharmacy network.

He added: “Throughout the pandemic we have worked with partners to reach out to victims of domestic abuse and have promoted various ways to get in touch with support services. Ask Ani provides another opportunity for victims of this terrible crime to seek help.”

Participating pharmacies of the scheme, which went live on January 14, will be displaying Ask Ani posters in their windows. When someone uses the code words, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can speak freely and contact the police or get access to support services or a domestic abuse helpline.

The Ask for ANI scheme is part of the national #YouAreNotAlone campaign, launched by the government, and supports local partnership campaigns, such as the See Something, Hear Something, Say Something initiative launched by partners in Norfolk, to help those affected by abuse to get help during lockdown. As part of the campaign the DASVG funded the roll out of 300,000 stickers for pharmacy prescription bags to signpost victims of abuse to help and support.

To find out more:

You can visit the Home Office website: www.GOV.UK/domestic-abuse.

For information on how to adopt the Ask for ANI scheme, go to: www.gov.uk/homeoffice/pharmacy-codeword-scheme. 

Ask for ANI is available at Boots pharmacies across the county. Please visit the Boots website to find your nearest store.How to get help:
If you need to speak to someone about domestic abuse then please call 999 in an emergency or to make a report to police, call 101.
Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care offer a 24hr support line for immediate emotional and practical support for all victims of crime. Call 0300 303 3706.
For more information on help numbers for organisations and charities that can offer tailored DA support visit the Norfolk Police , Norfolk County Council or OPCCN websites for more help.

COVID 19 Community Support

Norfolk County Council: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/health-and-wellbeing/adults-health/coronavirus

Norfolk Winter Support Scheme: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/campaigns/winter-covid-support-scheme

Breckland Council: https://www.breckland.gov.uk/coronavirus

Residents can request help (as previously) via phone by calling Norfolk County Council: 0344 8008020

Mundford Pride Scheme

DAVID and PATSY ALLEN have been elected to be recognised by the

MUNDFORD PRIDE SCHEME

The people of the Parish wish to show their appreciation and recognition for the work you have undertaken selflessly and without reward for the benefit of us all. We value your presence amongst us and we thank you for all you have done in the past year. Mundford takes example from your actions.

Thank you.

Mundford Parish Council

Vaccination Centres

Vaccination Centre Update

As well as the two centres at the Norfolk and Norwich and the James Paget Hospitals the Norfolk and Waveney Clinical commissioning Group has announced that the following centres are now open:
Fakenham Medical Practice – Fakenham
St James Medical Practice – King’s Lynn
Lionwood Medical Practice – Norwich
Falkland Surgery – Bradwell
Swanton Morley Surgery – Swanton Morley
Thetford Healthy Living Centre – Thetford
Kirkley Mill Surgery – Lowestoft

These seven sites will be acting as ‘primary care hubs’: vaccinating patients from their own practice as well as other neighbouring practices from this week: Those who are most at risk from COVID-19 are being prioritised first; members of the public who are over 80 years-old, care home workers and a small number for at risk frontline NHS staff. GP practices work closely together with neighbouring practices in local groups called Primary Care Networks (PCNs).  

Each PCN will have a designated vaccination site, providing a good geographical spread of vaccination locations across Norfolk and Waveney. Each of these sites will vaccinate patients from across a number of the PCN’s member practices – not just those on their own surgery list.  People in the ‘at risk’ priority groups will be contacted to make an appointment no matter which practice they are registered with. Following the go live of the first seven GP practice vaccination sites this week, the local NHS is working with PCNs to mobilise additional large and small community sites over the coming weeks and months.

GP practices are working through their lists and booking in the first patients for vaccination appointments at either the hospital hubs based in Norwich and Great Yarmouth or at a local GP surgery site.  All those being vaccinated will be asked to fill in a health screening questionnaire and consent form.
Vaccination is the only way we are going to overcome this virus.  Protecting the most vulnerable of our residents is so very important and The County Council needs your help to co-ordinate transport for those unable to make their own way to these centres. Can YOU help by encouraging local volunteer groups to register their lift services as set out below.

Help needed to take the “over 80’s” and others for vaccination The County Council are supporting the Clinical Commissioning Groups with how they transport people to the N&N and the James Paget hospitals for Covid vaccines and the will additional sites that came this week across Norfolk.

It notes that many people will be well used to getting to and from the hospital, many will use public transport and be linked in with volunteer transport already, which is great. However, many will not and will need help getting there. They should go to https://communitydirectory.norfolk.gov.uk/ to upload this information. Whilst the volunteer driver scheme that NCC manages will be able to help a lot of people, they are a limited resource centrally and affected by the fact that many of their drivers are older people, so we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get transport