Come along to our stall, outside the community garden on Saturday November 20th 10.00 – 16.00 to discover what volunteering opportunities there are with Chorlton Voice, Chorlton Arts and the friends of the Community Garden
Tell us what you think should happen to the Community Garden as we try to restore it, how you might use it and what part you could play in its restoration. See the picture to see its sorry state just now.
We hope to see you there.
We are collaborating with other groups in chorlton to renovate and bring back into use the little gem of a green space next to the Library. At the moment it is closed for health and safety reasons, but over the years it has become overgrown and is quite a tangle now.
What would you like to see in this space – have your say by completing the short questionnaire at https://forms.gle/sKQvpAuw2E4q1Rok8 or pick up a paper copy in the Library.
As we slowly come out restrictions due to COVID-19 we are planning autumn activities for Chorlton Voice. Until then, the Committee will continue to meet online.
The Chorlton Arts Festival will take place 11-19th September.
Here is some more information for you that you may not be getting from elsewhere. Please do pass on to others.
We hope you are still keeping well and keeping talking, one way or another!
Carolyn, Chair@chorltonvoice.org 0161 881 6887
Have you noticed how many more birds you can hear, now that vehicular traffic is less? I heard a radio programme that suggested that some of the birds that keep away from us in urban areas may come nearer now everything is quieter. Great!
Manchester Libraries have a new newsletter, to be found at https://manclibraries.blog/2020/04/03/new-format-library-newsletter/ . In the current edition there is information about ebooks, virtual reading groups, learning new computer skills, free digital newspapers and magazines and more.
They also remind us that the National Theatre is having weekly streaming of performances – go to https://tinyurl.com/rh9pmce . They also have other performances that can be viewed for free.
On the matter of all things audio, BBC Sounds has podcasts of readings, including the latest Hilary Mantel book – to be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000gbff
If you are over 70 and self isolating with little support, then the Manchester Support Hub should be able to help. Primary needs that call handlers can help with are:
The Hub’s freephone number is: 0800 234 6123 and lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm. The helpline is being operated by redeployed Manchester City Council staff.
If you have concerns that someone may be vulnerable, or could potentially become vulnerable in the weeks ahead due to having limited connections/family support, please contact the Care Navigator Service and /or Be Well:
To keep in touch with local developments we really do recommend that you sign up to regular email updates from the council. Just copy and paste the link below into google. Please do share what you learn with friends and neighbours who aren’t on social media.
This way you will have the best up to date useful and helpful information – about the virus; help to manage your mental health whilst staying home; how and where to volunteer; and how to get support if you yourself are vulnerable – right down to the all-important bin collections.
And on that one – hope fully you will already have seen that next week, for one week only (starting Monday 6 April), in response to feedback from councillors and residents, there will be one final green bin collection. Put out your green bin instead of your brown. After that the green bin collection will be suspended, so please put your food waste in your compost bin or grey bin if necessary. This is so that that the essential grey bin collections can continue for everyone, at a time of inevitably high levels of sickness and self- isolation in the BIFFA teams.
As your councillors we, too, of course, are staying at home. You may not see us, but we are still here for you. So if you have any particular queries or worries or concerns about local issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email or phone – we are regularly checking in.
Our contact details are:
MACC are looking for people to register their interest in becoming a volunteer:
https://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/covid-19-community-volunteering-0
If you are a group / organisation and require would benefit from the help of to support your work, you can log the support you need here: https://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/coronavirus-advice-and-resources/covid-19-support-voluntary-sector-organisations.
Your needs will matched to those people who have signed up to volunteer.
Volunteering in Hospitals
The Hospitals have also put out a call for volunteers to do all sorts of things, including administrative support, ward support: comforting patients, re-stocking shelves, helping with mealtimes, brewing up for clinical teams; pharmacy support with collections.
If you are, or know of anyone in good health, aged 18-69 who would like to volunteers, ask them to contact volunteer.services@mft.nhs.uk or email to volunteer.services@mft.nhs.uk
Not just clapping but singing for the NHS
Thursdays at 8pm people across Chorlton and further afield have been clapping from their windows, balconies or gateposts for NHS and care staff. This week singing was added, and in some parts of Chorlton renditions of the Beatles’ song ‘I’ll get by with a little help from my friends’ could be heard.
Next week? Who knows, but keep your eye on the Chorlton corona virus facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chorltoncovidresponse/ . On this site you can find your nearest Street connector – if you haven’t already, do make contact with them. Or if there is not one near you, why not start a street group?
So – Keep talking, especially to anyone you know who doesn’t have many people to talk to. And we hope you all keep safe and well and manage to get some of the weekend’s sunshine.
Chorlton Voice Committee.
Chorlton Voice Bulletin March (2) 2020
Here is some more information for you that you may not be getting from elsewhere. Please do pass on to others.
We hope you are still keeping well and keeping talking, one way or another!
Do check the website for regular information and news – www.chorltonvoice.org
Carolyn, Chair@chorltonvoice.org 0161 881 6887
Worried about Scams linked to Coronavirus?
See https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ for some useful tips on how to recognise and avoid scams
A new freephone helpline to support the most vulnerable people in Manchester during the Coronavirus pandemic will go live on from 8.30am from Monday 30 March 2020 and this will sit alongside our comprehensive online portal www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus where people can access up to date information immediately.
This new service will initially offer support to:
Help will also be available, but not limited to, other groups such as carers, care leavers or young carers.
The primary needs that call handlers can help with are:
The Hub’s freephone number is: 0800 234 6123 and lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm. The helpline is being operated by redeployed Manchester City Council staff.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – re: prepay electricity metres for residents self-isolating.
Residents can phone the numbers below if they have a prepay meter. They should tell the energy company that they are self-isolating and they will be sent out 2 weeks-worth of gas / electricity, or if the resident has a smart meter they will top up. The numbers to call are:
>BRITISH GAS: 0333 202 9802
>EDF: 03332005100
>EON: 0345 052 000
>N POWER: 0800 073 3000
>SCOTTISH POWER: 08000270072
>SSE: 0345 026 2658
Please pass this information to anyone who needs it!
Primary Care: Update from Dr Greenaway, GP Lead for Chorlton, Whalley Range and Fallowfield:
GP surgeries remain “open” but are now carrying out phone and video consultations and are asking patients not to attend the surgery. Fortunately we are able to resolve most issues in this way. In some situations, the GP will arrange an assessment at the surgery, but please don’t attend without being asked.
Prescriptions will continue to be provided: all prescriptions are now being sent electronically to the pharmacy of the patient’s choice. The pharmacy may deliver on request.
For guidance on isolation please check the website https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19
If your employer requests an isolation notes: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
This is a note for your employer that advises you to stay at home.
Manchester Cares
are keeping older people across the city connected by checking in with them by phone call. They have also sent out 630 activity packs to older people across Manchester. If you are concerned that an older person (65+) may be at risk of becoming socially isolated in the coming weeks, please contact Amy Saunders: amy.saunders@manchestercares.org.uk.
Chorlton Voice 