COVID-19
COMMUNITY SUPPORT​

The current situation in respect of the COVID-19 outbreak is serious - the advice from Central Government, in respect of isolation and separation, is absolutely unprecedented.

Churchstanton is, without doubt, one of the finest and most supportive communities in the country.  There is a significant and clear desire from broad tranches of the community to get involved in supporting 'vulnerable and isolated people' - we have come to expect nothing less from our fantastic residents!  The Parish Council are very keen to take appropriate action, and are presently waiting from advice from Somerset County Council, Somerset West & Taunton Council, Somerset Association of Local Councils and the National Association of Local Councils.  At present, advice / direction is extremely limited - and this is unlikely to improve any time soon.

For the time being - Our advice / position to residents is therefore as follows:

1) Keep a watch on the news and please follow the advice of the Government / NHS / Public Health England. Here
The Government's strategy and reasoning behind reactions to the outbreak may not be immediately apparent - however there is scientific reason for their approach.  Just because it may be different from that of other countries does not mean that it is incorrect or can be ignored.  Please follow advice.

2) Support your neighbours - without contravening advice!
This is key.
Avoid the presumption that only some members of the community are vulnerable.  We all are.
If everyone takes time to look out for and support those nearest to them (i.e in a 360 radius from your home), the network effect that this will establish will help support efforts enormously.
The Parish Council (with help from others) are in the process of setting up a resilience plan, and are working with various local people to set up a viable support network. 

3) Stay Safe
Do not put yourself or others in harms' way.
Do not take any risks that may result in spreading infection or put other's safety at risk - especially that of the most vulnerable in our society.  Again - follow advice!

4) Stay Secure
Please remain aware that publishing  your own, or others' information (what ever that may be) may be counter productive and could result in safety / security issues as the outbreak develops.  Please be mindful about posting local 'news' on social media - especially that which might indicate where vulnerable people live - or where isolated property may be empty.
There is growing suggestion that 'scammers' are targeting isolated and vulnerable people.  Be vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious to the police.

We have set up a preliminary contact system to help focus efforts in developing a support network.  Please help by volunteering / reporting  / informing us - so that we can direct attention where it is most needed.

Thanks!

Ian Firth
Chair - Churchstanton Parish Council
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  • I'm a Volunteer!
  • Report self-isolation
  • Inform us of help required
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If you would like to volunteer to assist with supporting our community in respect of the COVID-19 outbreak - OR if you are already volunteering / assisting somehow- please provide your details here.  This information will be used to update the Parish Council / Blackdown support group so that efforts can be coordinated and to protect vital resources in the area.

Please note that the requested information is a guideline only - If you think you can offer, or are offering, anything else to the community (or if we have missed something) - please feel free to use the 'other information' box to provide further details.

    I'D LIKE TO Volunteer 
    By submitting I acknowledge that I may, or may not, be called upon to assist the community in the future.  My details are provided solely for the purposes of responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and may be passed to appropriate / related support organisations / partners for the same purpose.  Details may be retained for resilience planning purposes but will not be passed on to unrelated third parties, or retained for any other purposes without my express permission.
If any member of your household is taken ill during the COVID-19 outbreak please follow current advice from HM Government / NHS:

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

The Churchstanton website is not an emergency reporting facility.  If you feel that there is a direct and immediate threat to life DO NOT REPORT this here.  Call 999 / 111 immediately.

Please do notify us if your household is within Churchstanton Parish and is self-isolating.  Details will be held in confidence - however you will receive communication from us (or a representative) to find out if you need additional support.

If you need assistance or help (of any sort) - please provide details - we will ensure that someone gets back to you as soon!

    SELF-ISOLATING REPORT
    What three words helps locate properties and places extremely accurately. Please visit: 
    https://what3words.com/ and find your location, then paste the three words "///" address below:
    I acknowledge that the details provided above will be used to monitor COVID-19 in the parish and a community support representative will contact me in the near future.  I also acknowledge that this is NOT an emergency reporting service and my submission will not necessarily receive urgent attention.
COVID-19 and the collected response to the pandemic may indiscriminately cause serious problems to anyone within our community.  This will not necessarily be restricted only to the most obvious, isolated or vulnerable people...

If you are aware of anyone that you think needs support in the wake of the pandemic - in any way - please provide details (in confidence) and we (The Parish Council / Blackdown Support Group) will do what we can to coordinate a pro-active response.

Likewise if you wish to anonymously report any COVID-19 related issues (specifically within the parish) please provide details using the form below:

    INFORM THE PARISH COUNCIL OF A VULNERABILITY / COVID-19 ISSUE
    If your want to report an issue, a vulnerable / isolated person or anything that we need to locate in the parish - it would be helpful if you could provide a what 3 words location:
    I acknowledge that by submitting this form the matter will be received securely by the Parish Clerk, for further action as may be appropriate.  To the best of my knowledge the information is correct and provided in good faith.
​Somerset West and Taunton District Council Weekly Coronavirus update:
https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-information/
For the latest coronavirus update from Somerset County Council please go to:
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/
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