Help is available from the SODC Community Hub  if you’re struggling because of COVID-19 and you have nobody around to help you 

We recommend you contact by phone on  01235 422600 if you’re in urgent need but if you need general advice, you can contact them via email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk. The hours are Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm and Fridays 8.30am-4.30pm.
The team can help support you with food, medicine and friendly phone calls during the pandemic and they’ll be able to put you in touch with other community and volunteer groups or services. In the most urgent cases, the team will be able to support you with food and prescription deliveries.

www.southoxon.gov.uk/south-oxfordshire-district-council/coronavirus-community-support/help-for-individuals

 

Cancer consultations available via telephone and video Doctors in Oxfordshire are urging people to get medical advice if they are worried about symptoms of cancer.  NHS staff have worked hard to make sure people can get cancer checks and treatment safely, so there is no need to delay.  If you are worried about any new symptoms, then please get in touch with your surgery.   They will be able to reassure you or if necessary get you to see a specialist quickly and safely. Please see  https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cancer-consultations-available-via-telephone-and-video/  for more details.

Help with long-term Covid
Over a million people in the UK are suffering from Long Covid, the accepted term for Coronavirus that lasts more than four weeks.  And, sad to say, more than 70,000 people in this country have had Covid symptoms - fatigue, breathlessness, numbness, pain or partial hearing loss - for over a year.
If you are one of those affected, you should know that PIP (personal independence payments)  may be available. PIP is financial support for those who have an illness, disability or mental health condition, making it hard for them to do everyday tasks or get around. Income, savings and employment status don’t affect your PIP eligibility, and PIP can supplement any other benefits you might be receiving. To apply, you need to be aged between 16 and your state pension age, and you need to have had these health problems for at least three months and expect them to continue. For help with applying for PIP, contact Citizens Advice Adviceline on 0808 278 7907 (for Oxfordshire South and Vale). There is more information about PIP at
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

Testing for coronavirus​ You can book a test by calling 119 or by registering online via gov.uk/getting-tested-for-coronavirus.  

Local support offers for schools and parents: 
Oxfordshire County Council has information about COVID-19 for schools and parents at:
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/coronavirus-covid-19/schools-and-education 



Oxford University Hospitals - a series of videos from OUH staff and community leaders regarding the COVID-19 vaccination can be watched via its website here: www.ouh.nhs.uk/covid-19/vaccine/.

SSE have details of theirservice provision during the coronavirus outbreak and their priority service register

Healthwatch Oxfordshire can help you find the latest local and national advice and support on what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones. See www.healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/coronavirus/ and their news updates page.

There is also a 24/7 Mental Health Helpline for Oxfordshire - see www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news
Adults can call 01865 904997 and children and young people can call 01865 904998.

COVID-19 scams - Thames Valley Police is urging people to be vigilant against criminals attempting to use the publicity around COVID-19 as a chance to target them with fraudulent emails, phone calls, text messages or door to door services - please see this advice on Covid-19 related scams, together with advice from the trading Standards team at https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-residents-warned-against-coronavirus-scams/

NHS guidance on mental wellbeing during the current crisis is available at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/  

MIND – advice, information and support for your wellbeing  You might be worried about coronavirus and how it could affect your life. This may include being asked to stay at home or avoid other people.  This might feel difficult or stressful. But there are lots of things you can try that could help your wellbeing.  For advice, information and support, visit: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

District Council services 
The best way for people to access our services now, throughout the lockdown and beyond, is via our websites, which are also the best place to get the most up to date information on the pandemic and any impact it is having on our services. 
southoxon.gov.uk  

Scammers target residents with promise of coronavirus vaccine.  Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website 
Residents are urged to be on their guard against scammers using the promise of a coronavirus vaccine to con them out of money.  Criminals across the country are contacting people out of the blue with offers of a coronavirus vaccination. These approaches have been made by text or from a recorded voice message on the telephone.  In each case the recipient is required to respond by clicking a link in the text message or by pressing 1 when receiving the call. They are then asked to give personal information, as well as financial details to book their vaccination. However, these are scams, with criminals exploiting the pandemic to attempt to steal personal details and people’s money.
The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge to people most at risk from coronavirus. These people will be contacted by the NHS.

Picture of Government covid step guide

Oxfordshire’s local outbreak control plan is designed to help return life to as normal as possible for as many people as possible in a way that is safe, protects our health and care systems, and supports our local economy.  
It has been developed by Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health team, working with colleagues from the city and district councils, Oxfordshire Health, Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Public Health England and Thames Valley Police.

The link to the plan is here - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/coronavirus-covid-19

For an overview of this illness and guidance on symptoms, how to avoid catching or spreading the virus, stay at home advice and details of the NHS 111 Coronavirus service please see www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/


         ​For information on the current guidance and support please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus  

CORONAVIRUS  USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

If you, your family, or neighbours need any assistance during this time, please do contact the Parish Council, who is coordinating the local village support efforts. You can email the Parish Clerk on parishcouncil@sydenhamvillage.co.uk or you can call and leave a message on 01844 873690 (please ensure you leave your name and contact details).  

The Government-backed Place 2 Be programme offers one to one and group counselling with children and young people as well as training to school staff to develop mentally healthy schools. www.place2be.org.uk

Please look out for your neighbours and anyone locally that you know to be vulnerable - the elderly, infirm and those who are unwell or without transport.  Check to see how they are doing and offer help with, for example, shopping. 

Helping the NHS with calls to the vulnerable & lonely  GoodSAM and Royal Voluntary Service are providing mental health / friendly chats during COVID, available nationwide.  
Royal Voluntary Service 
GoodSAM

Domestic abuse - press release with full details of how and where to get support

​​ Age UK Oxfordshire advice, information and supportAge UK Oxfordshire has launched a new, free of charge telephone support service offering advice and assistance to older people concerned during this time. For more information visit  www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/

Advice for those who are extremely clinically vulnerable
​Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 can be found at 
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding