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Shop and browse with Easyfundraising and support Bristol Disability Equality Forum

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Could you be saving on your bills? Now is a great time to check. You could raise donations via #easyfundraising for Bristol Disability Equality Forum, when you switch your utilities, insurance and mobile contracts, including up to £37.50 with Sky. Browse deals from Carphone Warehouse, Uswitch, MoneySupermarket, BT and many more here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/
 
    
 
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Bristol City Council Coronavirus Advice and Information Newsletter 26th June 2020

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Welcome to the council’s coronavirus information and advice newsletter
Hello resident,

This week, the Prime Minister announced a series of new changes to lockdown measures from Saturday 4 July. These include the reopening of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers, as well as leisure and tourist attractions, as long as they meet coronavirus secure guidelines. We are working closely with local businesses so that they can open their doors safely and make the most of pavement space to accommodate social distancing.

The next stage of the city’s recovery is crucial. We need to rebuild businesses and change how we move around the city to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe.  Following discussions with local businesses and communities, King Street, Clare Street and Corn Street will be closed to traffic from Friday 3 July. This is part of the Bristol Street Programme which is offering more space for social distancing and support for businesses reopening. The programme is part of on-going work to pave the way for safer and better public transport, cleaner air and improved walking and cycling routes. It’s been a long standing ambition to make this area more pedestrian-friendly and I am really pleased to introduce these initial temporary measures. You can read more here.
 
As we welcome these changes, it’s really important to remember that coronavirus is still with us, and we must still do all we can to reduce transmission of the virus. Please continue to wash hands frequently and social distance from others

Have a good weekend,

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol


Freephone 0800 694 0184
Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 5pm
 

Email your questions to coronavirus@bristol.gov.uk
 
Visit our website for the latest information 
Staying safe in the hot weatherAlthough most of us welcome the summer sun, high temperatures can be harmful to your health. The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm, including older and vulnerable people. Many of those who are at risk of harm from heat are also at greater risk of severe illness due to coronavirus and may need to spend more time at home than they would usually.

During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s especially important that you know what actions to take to keep yourself and others safe from high temperatures.

It’s important to check that older friends, family and neighbours are coping during hot weather but you’ll need to do things differently this summer – Keep in touch over the phone and follow the guidance on how to safely care for others.shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlighttry to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pmdrink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcoholstay connected and listen to the weather forecast to help plan aheadgo indoors or outdoors – whichever feels cooler. If going outdoors, keep your distance from others in line with social distancing guidelinesnever leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animalsget help if you need it – call NHS 111For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/heatwave.Bristol Parks
Every effort is being made to reopen park toilets in a safe way. A phased approach will help us to make sure both staff and residents are not at any increased risk. Park toilets at Ashton Court, Blaise Castle Estate and Oldbury Court will be open from Friday 26 June with other park toilets expected to open shortly after.
 
Please follow the guidelines for use to protect yourself and others:one person only – unless from the same householdkeep your distance from others. Wait away from entrance, allow others to exit before you enter use hand gel provided, both before and after enteringlower toilet lid before you flush, wash your hands for 20 secondsdry hands thoroughly before your exitdo not touch bins with your handsThis summer we are also letting grass grow longer in some of our parks in the city, more than ever before. This allows us to focus on the cleanliness of our parks at a time when they are being used more due to the coronavirus pandemic. We intend to next cut grass at the end of the season, around September. We are also working out ways in which we can reopen sites like play areas and will provide a further update soon.Be tick aware
With lots of us making the most of the warm weather and spending longer outside – it’s important to remember to be tick aware. If you are going for a walk in woodlands, grasslands or moorlands, make sure you do a tick check afterwards. Look and feel for ticks on you, your family and your pets.

Tips to stay safe from ticks.Test and TraceAs we begin to see more of our family and friends, it’s important we continue to play our part in protecting each other against coronavirus. Even if you have mild symptoms of coronavirus, you should stay at home, self-isolate and order a coronavirus test to be sent to your home. This is part of the process called Test and Trace – which will help reduce transmission of the virus. Anyone can request a test.
 
Book a test on the NHS website or call 119.Could your business benefit from our help?We’ve approved over £87m in business grants to support over 6,900 businesses in Bristol during the coronavirus pandemic.

St Peter’s Hospice is one of the charities in the city who has successfully received a number of business grants. They have used the grants to help them reopen seven of their shops – purchasing sneeze screens, floor stickers and Personal Protective Equipment to make sure their shops are safe for staff, volunteers, customers and donors.

To find out more watch St Peter’s Hospice video.

Information about the support available to businesses is on our website. Businesses can also sign up to receive our regular business email, which includes comprehensive updates and news.Museums reopening planFollowing the government announcement that museums and galleries can soon open, we are working hard to ensure our museums are safe for visitors, volunteers and staff. We will share opening dates as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience.
 
In the meantime, we’d really appreciate your feedback on our plans. Please take a moment to complete the museums reopening survey.Armed Forces DayShow your support and help boost morale of our Armed Forces, as part of the Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.

With the annual parade and other events cancelled due to the coronavirus, we are encouraging people to find ways to participate in activities online instead. Take part by flying the Armed Forces flag at home, taking a #SaluteOurForces selfie, or writing to someone you know personally in the Armed Forces to boost their morale.

You can also watch the flag raising ceremony which marks the beginning of the Armed Forces Day or find out more here.Dental treatmentsIn England, some routine dental treatments are now available. Changes have been made to keep you and the dental care team safe. In first instance, contact your dentist by phone or email. Only visit if you’ve been told to. If you think you need urgent dental treatment, do not go to a dentist. You will need to:Call your dentistUse the NHS 111 online services  if you cannot contact your dentist or do not have oneThey can give you advice, help you contact an urgent dental service or arrange treatment if needed.

Visit the NHS website for more information on using health services during the coronavirus pandemic.Please share this newsletter with anyone you think would benefit from it. If they would like to receive future emails, they can click the ‘Subscribe’ button below.Subscribe
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Life during lockdown survey

Dear all,

I hope this finds you well during these rather difficult times.

My dearest colleagues, in the UK, Denmark and Belgium, and I have designed a survey to understand people’s life and work experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown measures.  

We would be deeply grateful if you could spare some time and tell us your stories. Also please share it with your friends/colleagues or network. 

We aim to undertake further qualitative research in September to find out whether individuals’ circumstances have changed.

This survey is open for everyone (over 15 years old) and is available in English, French, Dutch, German and Danish.

You can access it via this link: https://uhasselt.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fDFNZev5kZeBMh

If you have any further questions/remarks please do not hesitate to get in touch with my via: Frederike.scholz@uhasselt.be

Your collaboration is much appreciated.

Stay safe and kindest regards,

Frederike & colleagues 

Dr. Frederike Scholz
Doctor-Assistent
SEIN – Identity, Diversity & (In)equality Research
Universiteit Hasselt – Belgium
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Disabled People will not get extra £20 Universal Credit ‘uplift’ payment because it’s “too complicated” for the computer system


Computer Says ‘No’

DWP has said that:

–       Disabled people on older benefits e.g. ESA, housing benefit etc can’t get the extra £20 ‘uplift’ Universal Credit claimants get, because it’s “too complicated” for the computer system;

–       the emergency £20 was only ever intended for new claimants, and it was a “windfall gain” for existing ones ;and,

–       it wanted to help “people affected by the pandemic”. 

In other words, DWP thinks:

a.   Disabled people haven’t been affected by the pandemic, and

b.   If you were already poor, you don’t need money to meet the extra costs of Covid-19!

Tweet @theresecoffey, @JTomlinsonMP and @dwppressoffice today to demand an equal uplift for all on income- or disability-related benefits. 


4.  Discrimination: know your rights! If you’ve been treated unfairly or less favourably from other people, this may be discrimination. Bristol Law Centre offers free phone advice, call 0117 924 8662 10-4 Mon-Fri or email mail@bristollawcentre.org.uk 

https://www.bristollawcentre.org.uk/get-help/discrimination/?mc_cid=d510cced7e&mc_eid=2c86eb4a6d
https://www.bristollawcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BLC-discrimination-leaflet-email-web.pdf

5.  WECIL (The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) offers advice & support to help with applying for disabled people’s related welfare benefits. Call 0117 947 9922 or email disabledpeopleshelpline@wecil.co.uk to book an appointment.
 – https://youtu.be/9efPH6tR_AA