MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR DIES

A mental Health Counsellor from Leicester has died of Covid – 19. Health care workers have paid tribute to Ann Shepherd, 80,  who worked at the Moir Centre. Long Eaton, for 26 years. Colleagues said she was held in high esteem by everyone she worked with and was a true professional who touched the lives of many.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES

Erewash Borough Council has released funds through its Community Grants Scheme to help local voluntary groups and organisations during these difficult times. Applications for funding of up to £2,000 can be made now and the council is particularly keen to support projects and initiatives that are helping the local community face the exceptional challenges caused by coronavirus.  The grants scheme has helped hundreds of local groups and sporting organisations over the years and the release of the latest funds is to support all the vital charity and voluntary work that is going on right now in the borough. The council wants to hear from as many organisations as possible ahead of the closing deadline for applications of 5.30pm on Thursday 21st May. Grants are awarded for projects that help Erewash residents and in the past have been awarded to community groups, pre-school groups, churches, village hall charities and organisations that offer support in countless ways to the young and old. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:

“This funding is the first of this financial year and we have moved quickly to put it in place so we can help the important voluntary and charity work that we know is going on right now. We are well aware that many charities and organisations are facing problems, which is why we have re-acted immediately to get this funding up and running.”

Councillor Val Clare, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, has also sent a message to local groups:

“We want to hear from everyone, but we are especially keen to support those who are helping vulnerable people. We applaud and thank all those involved who have stepped up to the mark and are out there supporting those who are most at risk in our communities. Please apply for up to £2,000.”

All applications are welcome, but new grant requests might include projects, for example, that are providing food and necessities, support to help people deal with isolation, befriending schemes and health initiatives to help people stay mobile and active. Applications are also welcome to help cover running costs as a result of responding to COVID-19, for example the cost of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to deliver essential services such as telephone calls, rent, gas and electricity and other costs, where this has not already been provided from another source. Full details of the Community Grants Scheme and an online application form can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk/grants 

PASS THE PARCEL

More than 50 food parcels have now been sent out in seven deliveries to some of the most vulnerable people in Erewash. Erewash Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Warden Service is delivering the emergency parcels to the doorstep of those who are registered as being isolated and medically vulnerable, at the highest risk from coronavirus. The parcels contain items that will last a week and the number of these food boxes going out weekly is expected to increase significantly over the coming weeks. Around 30 council staff have already volunteered to help with the community effort when needed. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:

“These food parcels are a lifeline for the most vulnerable in our borough and residents can be assured that we are getting these deliveries out as soon as we receive them at our depot in Ilkeston.”

The government scheme to provide weekly food parcels is being co-ordinated by Derbyshire County Council, which is distributing parcels to the borough and district councils to deliver to targeted residents. In Erewash, the food parcels are delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The parcels are being targeted at those who have to self-isolate for medical reasons and who have registered with the DWP that they need help. Anyone who feels they need help can make a request via www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp or Derbyshire County Council’s community response unit helpline 01629 535091 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm. Phone lines may be busy so please be patient.

MAGGIE REQUESTS CONSULTATION SUSPENSION

Erewash MP Maggie Throup has written to the Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Cllr. Barry Lewis, to request that the Authority immediately suspends its public consultation into the closure of care homes across Derbyshire for the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic. In her letter, Maggie, who has publicly opposed the closure of Ladycross House Local Authority Care Home in Sandiacre, said that to continue with the consultation during the nationwide lockdown would put “the democratic process in jeopardy”. In addition, she also argued that the step-down beds that have been commissioned at Ladycross by Derby & Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group would become even more crucial in the weeks and months ahead. Commenting on her letter, Maggie said:

 “Life at the moment does not and should not feel normal. The Country is facing its greatest challenge since the war, and I know that Derbyshire County Council is working around the clock to help residents and businesses to deal with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is therefore only common sense to suspend the public consultation into the closure of local authority care homes across Derbyshire, including Ladycross, until after this crisis has passed. This will allow the County Council to prioritise its resources to where they are most needed and ensure that step-down beds like those at Ladycross are available to relieve pressure on our NHS, whilst also upholding the people’s democratic right to properly scrutinise their elected representatives about such an important decision.  I will continue to oppose these closures, including presenting my petition to Parliament, but this process should be conducted transparently and not behind closed doors.”

WASTE NOT WANT NOT

Local residents are being urged to back the nationwide effort that encourages people to reduce waste in these challenging times when resources are stretched to the limit. In Erewash, the borough council is focusing its efforts on household waste and recycling collections – but has appealed to residents for their help in these unprecedented times by adapting to the changed circumstances that everyone is experiencing. The challenge facing everyone is to minimise the household waste and look at ways of packing or reducing recyclable waste. By doing this, residents can make a valuable contribution to the community-wide effort to help refuse collections continue as efficiently as possible. Here are some very simple key messages where you can help:

• Please don’t put recyclable waste in black bins. This takes up space in the collection vehicles needed for general household rubbish. Crush down all recycling items you are putting in blue bins/green bags. For example, flatten cardboard boxes and plastic bottles/cartons – don’t just throw them straight in the bin. This way you will create more space.
• The government has issued a plea for householders not to burn recyclable waste.
• As tempting as it is, avoid big clear-outs at this time unless you have somewhere to store all the items you could recycle or send to a charity shop once things return to normal.
• Make the most of the food you have. Be a champion of the ‘don’t waste food’ campaign.
• Do not be tempted to use ‘waste cowboys’ to get rid of your rubbish. The household recycling centres are currently closed, so the waste will almost certainly be fly-tipped. There has been an increase in fly-tipping across the country and this is not acceptable.

 Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, Councillor Garry Hickton, says:

“We do understand the challenges everyone is facing right now, day in and day out, when it comes to generating waste. It is especially difficult, we know, for family households. But I hope everybody understands why we are appealing for people to work with us and see that among their many challenges is one that requires them to reduce waste wherever they can. If we can all do our bit, it will reduce the strain on our waste collection services. We are all in this together.”

There is plenty of advice and ideas online to help meet the challenges and support the refuse collections:

www.erewash.gov.uk for an A-Z of waste and recycling.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk – under ‘environment’ you will find a range of advice, including on home composting and kitchen scraps.

www.lovefoodhatewaste.com – lots of ideas, including recipes with your leftover ingredients.