WSF Latest News

Census 2021

Households across South Lincolnshire will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services, like doctors’ surgeries and schools, and funding for projects like new roads and services are put in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.

Predominantly online

Census 2021 will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. Don’t worry if you don’t use or are not confident with computers, the letter will also include a phone number to request a paper version.

Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.

Help and support

There will be help and support for anyone who needs it - the local programme is being set up by Andy Howlett, the Census Engagement Manager for South Lincolnshire. The programme will be advertised in the new year but if you want to discuss it or can help in any way, call him on 07452 938641.

Results from the Census will be available within 12 months, with the personal records locked away for 100 years and kept safe for future generations.
For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

Scam Awareness

Every year, millions of people in the UK are scammed – from all walks of life. If you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone, and there’s support available.

It might be a scam if:

• it seems too good to be true – for example, something is much cheaper than you’d expect


• someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly


• you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address


• you’ve been asked to transfer money quickly


• you’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – for example, by iTunes vouchers or through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union


• you’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs


• you haven’t had written confirmation of what’s been agreed.

You can get advice from a Scams Action adviser by calling Citizens Advice on 0808 250 5050 or call Action Fraud (Police) to report a fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm

Vaccination Programme – A Call to Action

Latest Information

Lincolnshire's voluntary engagement team (VET) has put out a call to action to all voluntary and community sector groups across Lincolnshire to support the Covid 19 vaccination programme. As you can imagine the workforce required to achieve this is vast and so, as mentioned above, the VCSE is being asked to offer any support it can. The local plan to achieve this is summarised here:

• Two static locations to administer vaccinations at large sites able to manage with high volumes (Lincoln and Boston)
• Operating 7 days a week 12 hours a day
• Involvement of Primary Care Networks across all 14 areas
• Roving teams to support those housebound or unable to attend designated locations
• Further details will be released as they become available

The aim is to begin rolling this programme out from 1st December (subject to the availability of the vaccines) and will last for approximately six months. As you can imagine the details of the workforce requirements, training, dates and vaccines are constantly moving while the work begins to develop and take shape. It is envisaged that workforce requirements will increase month on month.

Good Neighbour Scheme

A good neighbour scheme is being considered for Spalding. This means that services such as lifts to GPs, hospital, shop; befriending by telephone; help with digital services (TV, Computer, Phone) including accessing zoom, facetime etc; light gardening and household tasks etc

Survey

A survey has recently been carried out by Community Lincs on behalf of the GNS group and the results will known shortly.

Tim and Val are your representatives on that group so please feel free to make contact should you have anything to say, or to offer your support as a volunteer on 01775 719071.

Further information will be provided when the results of the survey are known.

Information for Carers

Lincolnshire County Council have teamed up with Carers UK to give carers in our area access to a wide range of digital tools and essential resources that may helpmake their caring situation easier

Latest newsletter

Newsletter 82 Oct 2020

Hello everyone

Firstly I want to apologise for not having been in touch since my letter of April. I hope that if you had had a problem, you would have got in touch with me. It’s been a difficult and unusual six months for us all especially for those who were shielding but I hope you have been coping and staying safe. It looks like we will not be meeting again this year so it may well be March before we are able to get together. Meantime I wanted to update you on a couple of things.

Last September we heard from Liz Lamming from National Energy Action charity who advised us about energy saving and the Warm Home Discount. I know many of you spoke to her and followed her advice. I have spoken to her recently as she was due to come to our November meeting and she wanted me to pass on to you her phone no in case you wish to get some advice. Her number is 07803 507952.

I also wanted to tell you about the proposed Good Neighbour Scheme which is being set up in Spalding. There are many such schemes around Lincolnshire including Gosberton and recently East Elloe. The idea of the scheme is for volunteers to provide day to day support for residents in their community. Support such as: collection of prescriptions, lifts to GP appointments, friendly chats and form filling. Hopefully this will help combat loneliness and enhance community spirit. If you are interested in helping, please get in touch with Val Gemmell ( our Secretary) on 01775 719071.

I also wanted to remind you about Healthwatch. My husband has been poorly over the last few months and he has been awaiting a hospital appointment for over 4 months. I have finally managed to get him an appointment at the end of October but please get in touch with Healthwatch if you are having problems with the NHS. Their number is 01205 820892.

The NHS has recently launched an online Citizens’ Panel to ensure that the County’s residents are heard during the upcoming crucial healthcare planning. Adults of all ages are encouraged to join to make sure the group is truly representative. Three £250 prize draws will take place during the first year as a thank you. For further information please contact Tom Cassidy at tom@hwlincs.co.uk or 07454 192424 who will be happy to answer any questions.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns. Meantime stay safe.

NHS Survey

Covid 19

Please find below a link to a survey on accessing Lincolnshire NHS services during the pandemic.

Please tell us your views on accessing NHS services during the Coronavirus pandemic in Lincolnshire

Please find below a link to a survey from Lincolnshire NHS to understand how people have accessed NHS services during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have had to change the way we provide some services such as talking to our clinicians over the phone rather than face to face, and are looking at ways we can provide services in the future - your feedback on this will ensure our changes are effective and sustainable.



Please complete this survey yourself and share it with your friends, family, staff, groups and communities you are in contact with to help us get as much feedback as possible.

Changes to advice and information

The Government has put in place a number of measures to help return the country back to a 'new normal'. Make sure that any advice and information you have on your website and social media channels are up to date.

Changes to advice include:

People can meet in groups of up to two households - indoors or outdoors - however people should remain socially distanced.
A number of shops and businesses are now open, along with public places such as places of worship.
From 6 July those shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing.
Read more about the updated shielding advice.

New Government strategy

Stay alert

The Government has set out the plans for moving to the next phase of its response to the virus.
The main changes to the top line advice includes:
Stay at home as much as possible
Work from home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
Wash your hands regularly
Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

Lincolnshire NHS update

Looking after your health

Lincolnshire NHS are particularly keen to get the message out to people that, in addition to responding to the challenges brought on by the ongoing pandemic, the NHS remains open for non-COVID-19-related concerns. We want to remind anyone with a health concern they feel requires attention the NHS is here for them, and we urge them to contact their GP practice. It is important to emphasise people should initially contact their practice by telephone, not attend in person.

On that note, our GP practices have been innovative in their approach to how they provide services for patients and have moved to supporting patients via remote consulting, typically via telephone, email and online triage, plus a number of practices have also started using video consultations - all positive responses that will help practices to manage their workload and resilience now and after COVID-19.

The NHS is also working very closely with partners in the care home and homecare sector, including LinCA, to ensure we are doing all we can to support this vitally important part of the local health and care system.

The past week has continued to be one of exceptional challenge for the NHS in Lincolnshire, and we would like to pay tribute again to the dedication, professionalism and compassion of NHS staff across the county in these difficult times. We continue to do all that we can to keep them safe and to support them and work together as one NHS team, providing the best care possible for patients.

In addition, the ongoing extraordinary support of the public and our partners means so much to us all in the NHS, thank you.

Energy Checks

For free energy checks and the chance to some some money please see https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lincolnsouthlincolnshire/our-services/free-home-energy-checks/
Cut and paste this link into your browser