Important news about additional local NHS support for mental health
1. Launch of mental health hotline for adults in Wiltshire by the Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership
The Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership has set up a mental health helpline for adults in Wiltshire (and Bath and North East Somerset and Swindon. The number is 0300 3031320 and more information can be found here: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/advice-support/24-hour-support/.
This helpline should not be used for situations which are life threatening (when emergency services should be notified by phoning 999). The helplines will also help to reduce pressure on NHS 111, who are having to manage an increasing number of Covid-related calls.
2. Launch of mental health hotline for children and young people in Wiltshire by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
A children and young people’s mental health helpline has been launched in Wiltshire (and Bath and North East Somerset and Swindon by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs children’s mental health services in the region.
Anyone concerned about a child or young person’s mental health (or the child or young person themselves) can phone the helpline and speak to mental health experts who will provide advice, guidance and support over the telephone.
The helpline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be contacted as follows:
9am-5pm – weekdays 01865 903777
5pm-9am – weekdays and weekends 01865 901000
Helpful resources to support children and young people experiencing worries about coronavirus are also available on the following websites
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/
This helpline should not be used for situations which are life threatening (when emergency services should be notified by phoning 999). The helplines will also help to reduce pressure on NHS 111, who are having to manage an increasing number of Covid-related calls.
1. Launch of mental health hotline for adults in Wiltshire by the Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership
The Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership has set up a mental health helpline for adults in Wiltshire (and Bath and North East Somerset and Swindon. The number is 0300 3031320 and more information can be found here: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/advice-support/24-hour-support/.
This helpline should not be used for situations which are life threatening (when emergency services should be notified by phoning 999). The helplines will also help to reduce pressure on NHS 111, who are having to manage an increasing number of Covid-related calls.
2. Launch of mental health hotline for children and young people in Wiltshire by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
A children and young people’s mental health helpline has been launched in Wiltshire (and Bath and North East Somerset and Swindon by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs children’s mental health services in the region.
Anyone concerned about a child or young person’s mental health (or the child or young person themselves) can phone the helpline and speak to mental health experts who will provide advice, guidance and support over the telephone.
The helpline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be contacted as follows:
9am-5pm – weekdays 01865 903777
5pm-9am – weekdays and weekends 01865 901000
Helpful resources to support children and young people experiencing worries about coronavirus are also available on the following websites
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/
This helpline should not be used for situations which are life threatening (when emergency services should be notified by phoning 999). The helplines will also help to reduce pressure on NHS 111, who are having to manage an increasing number of Covid-related calls.
Retail Outlets Offering Remote Ordering and Delivery
For a list of retail outlets offering telephone ordering and delivery please see the list here.
For a list of retail outlets offering telephone ordering and delivery please see the list here.
Letter from our Chair re Covid-19 25th January 2021
MALMESBURY & DISTRICT U3A, COVID-19 & LOCKDOWN(S)
2021 may be the New Year but – as I guess we all knew it would – it has not begun so differently from its predecessor. Regrettably, the optimism generated by the roll-out of vaccines has been countered by a new, more infectious strain of the dreaded virus apparently indigenous to the UK (and, worse, others from elsewhere too). So, something close to “house-arrest” continues and is likely to do so for several months ahead.
All the more important then, for every one of our members, that we maintain a sense of togetherness and community, even though ordinary social activity is so stringently curtailed.
M&D U3A is doing all it can in the circumstances to facilitate interaction between its members and offering many avenues of communication and video-based group activities to keep us engaged with each other and our minds and bodies alive.
Many of our interest groups are meeting by ZOOM or WhatsApp. Members continue to rehearse their French, Italian or Spanish, play Bridge, explore their family history, write creatively, take one or more parts in a group reading of plays, critique books together…. even belly dance on a Monday evening! And that is not, by any means, a complete list.
Further, during ‘Lockdown, we are running two General Meetings per month (by Zoom, of course) each with an able and entertaining speaker, usually on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10.30am.
Our umbrella organisation, the Third Age Trust, is also running a National Programme of events. Any member of M&D U3A is automatically a member of ‘TAT’ and eligible to tap into their offering. No need to download any specialist software, just access their many options from the opening menu at https://www.u3a.org.uk/learning/national-programmes.
They are also offering, for a small supplement, access to nationwide interest groups, on Zoom or similar, as part of a “U3A Trust”
Our telephone survey of M&D members in November 2020 showed the overwhelming immediate demand is for some instruction in Zoom Technology – for people recognise that although video conferences can never replace face-to-face contact, in the current circumstances it is a tolerable (even agreeable) substitute and certainly preferable to wholesale isolation.
That survey raised many other ideas of things we might do, almost all of which were forward looking and will be part of our 2021 Re-launch when we – and, for that matter, the whole country - are in a position to do so. As Her Majesty underlined at the very beginning of this crisis (reflecting, obviously, a previous one): “We WILL meet again!”
We are where we are, whether or not it is where we wanted or expected to be. Let’s count our blessings and make the most of what we can. The Government says “Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay at home”. Our U3A would like to add just two words to the official straplines – Stay positive! - and, moreover, seeks to facilitate our additional exhortation with constructive action.
John Fairhurst
Chairman, M&D U3A
January 2021
2021 may be the New Year but – as I guess we all knew it would – it has not begun so differently from its predecessor. Regrettably, the optimism generated by the roll-out of vaccines has been countered by a new, more infectious strain of the dreaded virus apparently indigenous to the UK (and, worse, others from elsewhere too). So, something close to “house-arrest” continues and is likely to do so for several months ahead.
All the more important then, for every one of our members, that we maintain a sense of togetherness and community, even though ordinary social activity is so stringently curtailed.
M&D U3A is doing all it can in the circumstances to facilitate interaction between its members and offering many avenues of communication and video-based group activities to keep us engaged with each other and our minds and bodies alive.
Many of our interest groups are meeting by ZOOM or WhatsApp. Members continue to rehearse their French, Italian or Spanish, play Bridge, explore their family history, write creatively, take one or more parts in a group reading of plays, critique books together…. even belly dance on a Monday evening! And that is not, by any means, a complete list.
Further, during ‘Lockdown, we are running two General Meetings per month (by Zoom, of course) each with an able and entertaining speaker, usually on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10.30am.
Our umbrella organisation, the Third Age Trust, is also running a National Programme of events. Any member of M&D U3A is automatically a member of ‘TAT’ and eligible to tap into their offering. No need to download any specialist software, just access their many options from the opening menu at https://www.u3a.org.uk/learning/national-programmes.
They are also offering, for a small supplement, access to nationwide interest groups, on Zoom or similar, as part of a “U3A Trust”
Our telephone survey of M&D members in November 2020 showed the overwhelming immediate demand is for some instruction in Zoom Technology – for people recognise that although video conferences can never replace face-to-face contact, in the current circumstances it is a tolerable (even agreeable) substitute and certainly preferable to wholesale isolation.
That survey raised many other ideas of things we might do, almost all of which were forward looking and will be part of our 2021 Re-launch when we – and, for that matter, the whole country - are in a position to do so. As Her Majesty underlined at the very beginning of this crisis (reflecting, obviously, a previous one): “We WILL meet again!”
We are where we are, whether or not it is where we wanted or expected to be. Let’s count our blessings and make the most of what we can. The Government says “Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay at home”. Our U3A would like to add just two words to the official straplines – Stay positive! - and, moreover, seeks to facilitate our additional exhortation with constructive action.
John Fairhurst
Chairman, M&D U3A
January 2021
Malmesbury Town Council COVID-19 UPDATE 30th March 2020
HELPLINE Times Extended. New Helpline number is 01666815888
Malmesbury Town Council and HEALS are working in Partnership to provide co-ordinated volunteer activity to support our local community during the COVID-19 situation. HEALS is our local charity with specialist skills in this area and will also continue to support its existing service users through this situation.
This support can now be contacted on 01666 815888.
It is open from 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm at weekends.
It is not an Emergency service so continue to access those in the usual manner.
This Support Service aims to:
Thank you for your support.
Richard Spencer-Williams - Town Clerk
Paul Buckley – Manager HEALS http://www.healsmalmesbury.co.uk/.
Campbell Ritchie – Deputy Mayor
Gavin Grant – Chair of HEALS
HELPLINE Times Extended. New Helpline number is 01666815888
Malmesbury Town Council and HEALS are working in Partnership to provide co-ordinated volunteer activity to support our local community during the COVID-19 situation. HEALS is our local charity with specialist skills in this area and will also continue to support its existing service users through this situation.
This support can now be contacted on 01666 815888.
It is open from 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm at weekends.
It is not an Emergency service so continue to access those in the usual manner.
This Support Service aims to:
- Help vulnerable individuals and families in the local community during COVID-19 situation.
- Provide additional back up to the fantastic family, neighbour and street support in place.
- Help Coordinate the response of local Community Groups to ensure all our actions are aligned and effective.
- Help resolve problems around essential food order and collection, prescription collection and support well-being. We expect other requirements may emerge.
- Volunteers can register by emailing tic@malmesbury.gov.uk, or download the form HERE.
Thank you for your support.
Richard Spencer-Williams - Town Clerk
Paul Buckley – Manager HEALS http://www.healsmalmesbury.co.uk/.
Campbell Ritchie – Deputy Mayor
Gavin Grant – Chair of HEALS
National U3A Advice
Advice from National U3A is available here and suggestions on how to keep in touch with people are available here
Advice from National U3A is available here and suggestions on how to keep in touch with people are available here
Entertainment Suggestions
Here is a link for various online resources that may be of interest during isolation; e.g. free virtual visits to major museums and live concerts.
Here is a link for various online resources that may be of interest during isolation; e.g. free virtual visits to major museums and live concerts.
Citizens' Advice Update
As a precaution, our 'drop in' service has been temporarily suspended until further notice, due to the Coronavirus.
We've taken this decision to minimise the risk to clients, staff, volunteers and visitors, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions and those aged over 65.
For the time being, we will be operating a telephone and email service to respond to advice enquiries. Extra advisers are being deployed to operate the telephone helpline during this time. Contact details and opening hours for the temporary
service are as follows:
If you need advice about Universal Credit , please call us on: 0800 144 8 444 (freephone), Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
For advice about anything else, please call us on: 03444 111 444, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
To email us visit our website and complete the short ‘Contact us’ enquiry form: www. citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk
As a precaution, our 'drop in' service has been temporarily suspended until further notice, due to the Coronavirus.
We've taken this decision to minimise the risk to clients, staff, volunteers and visitors, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions and those aged over 65.
For the time being, we will be operating a telephone and email service to respond to advice enquiries. Extra advisers are being deployed to operate the telephone helpline during this time. Contact details and opening hours for the temporary
service are as follows:
If you need advice about Universal Credit , please call us on: 0800 144 8 444 (freephone), Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
For advice about anything else, please call us on: 03444 111 444, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
To email us visit our website and complete the short ‘Contact us’ enquiry form: www. citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk