These are the dates we expect our services will resume. Please note dates may change.
Continue reading “What’s Happening at Besson St?”What’s Happening at Besson St?
News
New Cross Learning: Volunteers Needed
New Cross Learning (Library, 283 New Cross Road) are reopening at the end of April and are looking for new volunteers to help deliver the service.
No experience necessary just a willingness to learn, good customer service skills and happy to work as part of the team.
For more info, visit https://newxlearning.org/volunteer-help-us/
Covid Unlock Guidance
Guidance from the Greater London Authority (GLA)
Continue reading “Covid Unlock Guidance”Covid Vaccine: It Makes Sense to Me
An opinion article from a local resident.
Continue reading “Covid Vaccine: It Makes Sense to Me”Covid Vaccination: Your Questions Answered
If you are not considered high risk from Covid do you still need the vaccine?
Were the trials for the Covid vaccine rushed and important steps skipped?
Does the vaccine make you sick?
Does the vaccine include a tracking device?
Can the vaccine cause infertility in women?
Who can get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine?
Continue reading “Covid Vaccination: Your Questions Answered”Re-opening for families
We are thrilled to be able to welcome back under 5s and their families from Monday April 12.
The garden is bursting with spring flowers and the pond is hosting several billowing cushions of frogspawn, and we are all looking forward to seeing your beautiful smiley faces.
You will need to book places in advance and we will, of course, be following rigorous covid safety rules. That said, we intend for you all to have the best possible time when you arrive.
You will be able to book a session from this website one week in advance and we’ll post a link when the time comes.
Sessions will be on Monday and Tuesday 9.30 am to 10.30 am or 10.45 am to 11.45 am and on Wednesday 1.30 pm to 2,30 pm or 2.45pm to 3.45pm.
Peer to Peer Mental Wellbeing Support Group
Are you looking to improve your mental wellbeing in 2021?
Do you want to meet new and likeminded people from New Cross Gate?
Would you benefit from being part of a supportive community?
Then the New Cross Gate Trust’s new Peer to Peer Mental Wellbeing Support Group might be the group for you!
Continue reading “Peer to Peer Mental Wellbeing Support Group”New lockdown arrangements
As per the announcement this evening of a new lockdown, we are sorry to say that the following changes will be made to our services for the forthcoming weeks until lockdown is lifted or the current guidance changes.
- Stay and play sessions are currently cancelled.
- Community Gardening sessions are currently cancelled.
- Sewing sessions are currently cancelled
- Adult learning classes are currently cancelled
- Ukulele sessions are currently cancelled
- ESOL classes will be taking place on line only – contact Helen.Keenan@nxgtrust.org.uk for further details
- Mindfulness sessions will be taking place online (new dates to be announced shortly) contact Jill.mountford@nxgtrust.org.uk for further details.
- Employment support will be taking place via email/phone/zoom – contact Elisha.McQueen@nxgtrust.org.uk for support.
- IT skills training will be taking place via Zoom. Contact sezinlearning@gmail.com for support.
If you are in need of any other forms of support, such as food banks, domestic violence or welfare advice please do contact us on 0207 639 7605 and we will try to signpost you to other support in the local community.
New funding for Besson Street Community Garden
We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Mayor of London for our Grow Back Greener award. This will enable further development of Besson Street Community Garden with new plants and trees, repairs to our pond and improved eco-credentials with the installation of new water butts, green roof and green wall. We will also be able to run many more community gardening sessions over the coming year.
Please come along to our community gardening sessions if you would like to get involved – now running 4 days per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Everyone is welcome.
https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-of-london-awards-green-grants
Join us for the Big Half!
If you are looking for a reason to try and get fit and healthy again after months of lockdown, NXG Trust has 5 community spaces for the Big Half up for grabs, for only £10 each. The 13.1 mile run will take place on Sunday 25 April, starting at Tower Bridge and ending in Greenwich Park.
To be awarded one of our places, we will just ask that you set up an fundraising page to make a donation to the New Cross Gate Trust. Please email Jenny.couper@nxgtrust.org.uk if you are interested in taking part.
Group Facilitator required
We are currently recruiting for a sessional group facilitator, to establish and support a new peer-to-peer mental well-being support group, that we will be establishing from January 2021. This is for 5 hours per week. The work requires someone who has good coordinating skills, some background in mental health and has experience in facilitating groups.
Please find attached the Job Description, Person Specification, and application form.
This post is funded by BUPA Foundation grant and is initially for 12 months.
We require someone by the end of this year with a view to starting work at the beginning of January, 2021. The role is for 5 hours a week and the pay is £30 per hour
If you are interested in this role please call us initially on 020 7639 7605 or email: jill.mountford@nxgtrust.org.uk to discuss this further. The deadline for applications is midday Monday 30th November.
We will require two references (at least one will be a professional reference) an enhanced DBS check and for the successful applicant to undergo our safeguarding training.
Covid Community updates
| Topics of the Week: We’d like to tell you about a dangerous respiratory virus that circulates the UK. No, not COVID-19, this week we’re talking about the flu. Flu (Influenza) is a virus that is passed from person to person via droplets in the air. It causes a respiratory illness with fever, joint aches and cold-like symptoms. It affects the elderly and vulnerable most and is prominent in winter months. This all sounds very similar to COVID-19. It is! – with a few key differences in symptoms that you can read more about here. The good news is that the NHS runs a vaccination programme for the flu, targeting the most vulnerable members of society. This year the campaign is bigger and more important than ever, so we can prevent the concurrent spread of Flu and COVID-19. This will not only save lives but also protect the NHS and frontline workers. It is vital that people get vaccinated!  What are vaccinations? Vaccinations make the body immune to a disease, without having to catch the disease itself. The more people in a population who are vaccinated, the more effective they are at stopping a disease from spreading. Vaccinations in the UK have eradicated deadly diseases such as Smallpox and Polio. They are safe and effective, preventing up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year. Who can have a flu vaccination?More people than usual are eligible to get free flu vaccination this year. At the moment this includes anyone who: Is aged 65 or over; has certain underlying health conditions; is pregnant; lives in a long-stay residential home; receives a carers allowance or is the main carer for a vulnerable person; lives with someone who was on the shielded patient list; is a frontline health or social care workers; is a child aged 2-3 or at school in reception to year 7 Later in the year there is a plan to extend the vaccine to all 50-64 year olds. This will start once the more vulnerable people on the list have had access to the vaccination. How to get a flu vaccination You can have a free NHS flu vaccination at: Your GP Surgery – many have designated appointments or clinics so ask! Local pharmacies – offering the service Midwifery services – if you are pregnant Your employer – if you are a frontline health or social care worker A few flu mythbusters Concerns and false information about vaccinations are everywhere. Remember that vaccinations are rigorously tested before they are allowed to be used. They are one of the safest and most effective health interventions. FACT: The flu vaccination doesn’t give you flu FACT: If you had the flu vaccination last year it doesn’t mean you are protected this year – you should have it annually if you are eligible FACT: The flu vaccination doesn’t protect you from COVID-19. It protects you from the flu, which could help reduce the severity of COVID-19 on individuals and society FACT: The flu vaccination only gives you protection from the flu. It doesn’t take any genetic information or mark you in any way FACT: If you have an egg allergy you can ask for a different flu vaccine The same measures we use to stop prevent the spread of COVID-19 can reduce the spread of flu too. So always remember: Wash your hands, Cover your face, Create a 2 metre space  Updates and Guidelines The Prime Minister has announced that the whole of England is due to be entering into a national lockdown this Thursday 5 November. This means that everyone should stay at home wherever possible. Reasons to leave home include: To go to childcare, school or college To attend work if your workplace is open and you cannot work from home To exercise outdoors, with your household/bubble or, when you are alone, with one person from outside your household To attend a medical appointment or receive emergency medical care Shopping for basic necessities To visit other members of your support bubble or to provide care to vulnerable people To volunteer, where the facilities remain open These rules are still under consideration and may change. Read the detailed list of changes. All of these rules supersede the Tier system we have recently been using. Cases of COVID-19 are rising and the new lockdown is designed to slow this down so we can protect individuals and the NHS from the devastating effects of this virus. We are aware that the prospect of a second lockdown may be disappointing and challenging to people in the Lewisham community. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is usually produced by sunshine exposure to skin. It helps maintain the body’s calcium and phosphate levels which keep teeth, bones and muscles healthy. It is unclear whether or not Vitamin D has a link with COVID-19 and trials into this are ongoing. Regardless of this the NHS recommends that everyone takes 10 micrograms (400 IU) of Vitamin D every day from October to March. This can be bought at a pharmacy. For people who are really not keen or not able to take tablets Vitamin D can also be found in foods such as: oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks and some fortified breakfast cereals. Lewisham does have a free Vitamin D Scheme for pregnant people and children under the age of four. Details can be found here. Visiting vulnerable people: The new guidelines advise that individuals can visit vulnerable people to provide care. The number of people visiting should be limited to those providing essential care. Social Bubbles: Social bubbles are allowed to continue as they have been. If someone wants to change social bubble they can do this but it must be a fixed change. If there is a concern regarding care for someone in a bubble this can still be provided as explained above. Shielding: Although official shielding advice has not come back into force, those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and were previously asked to shield are asked to take extra care around the precautions and stay at home where possible. Regions may reintroduce shielding as cases rise, but those this is relevant to will be informed individually. Test turnaround times: Testing is readily available. Book online or by calling 119. Results come back in 1-5 days, although this is usually within 3 days. Who should isolate and when: A quick reminder – If you have symptoms: isolate until test result; then reassessIf you have a positive test result: isolate for 10 days from start of symptoms or test result providing the person is no longer unwell with a raised temperature If someone in your household has symptoms or a positive test result: isolate 14 days from start of household member’s symptoms or test result If you have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace: isolate for as long as advised Your inputThank you to everyone who attended the webinar last week. It was lovely to meet you and thank you for your questions and suggestions. Please continue to send your community related COVID-19 questions and stories to covid19champions@lewisham.gov.ukNext Webinar:Our next webinar will be on Thursday 12th November 2020 at 6pm (45 minutes). You can access the meeting via the following link: https://zoom.us/j/93649424146?pwd=R2dsdVEvNlFMQ09YS3hHTlhhMG5sUT09Meeting ID: 936 4942 4146Passcode: 0wh6fuThis link will be the same for all webinars. We will be discussing: Flu vaccinations and Mental Health with COVID-19 restrictions.We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the Webinar. In the meantime please remember to complete our short survey.Best Wishes, The Lewisham COVID-19 Community Champion Team |
Lewisham Multilingual Advice Service (LMLAS)
LMLAS is a well-established community organisation that provides free and confidential advice, advocacy support to appeal levels in mother tongues to all BAMER groups who speak little or no English. The main areas of work are welfare benefits, to appeals and representation level and includes Consumer, debt, education, employment, family issues, health, housing, and utilities. We have 15 community languages available. If a language is not available we endeavour to accommodate service users with help from our bank of current and past volunteers. We are a member of the Advice Lewisham Partnership.
Services available:
Monday to Wednesday at scheduled times between 10am and 4pm in various languages:
Freephone Advice Line;
Advice appointments
Thursday: All languages (serviced by volunteers):
Digital hub
New style service
Due to COVID-19, we developed a new model for delivering advice appointments and digital hub enquiries. This involved establishing a new post of Telephone Advice Line Coordinator whose role includes fielding calls from service users to the relevant advisor. Appointments and enquiries are dealt with by phone and using social media. Freephone Advice Line on 0800 231 5453, option 1.
If your organisation has a client who needs immediate support whose understanding of English is limited and if you have all the questions/details ready, we can arrange a time to interpret with you and the client over the phone for up to 20 minutes.
Contact: Liz, Service Manager, mail@lmlas.co.uk
HELP NEEDED:
LMLAS are currently seeking advice volunteers and a website volunteer. Please contact Liz for further details of these volunteering opportunities..
Support in our community
It’s never too late to get connected, talk to a neighbour, join a new group, and there are many organisations operating locally that can help us through difficult times such as this. Some key local organisations are listed below. Don’t be scared, just pick up the phone and give them a call.
170 Community project: Free and independent welfare advice – 0207 732 9716.
Adviceline Lewisham: 07845 683313
Lewisham and Bromley Credit Union: a not for profit financial co-operative run for and by our members, offering ethical loans and savings for those living or working in the boroughs of Lewisham or Bromley, email admin@pluscu.co.uk.
Somerville Adventure Playground: Youth activities, play and support https://somerville-online.org.uk
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network: Advice and support services www.lrmn.org.uk, 0208694 0323
Alcoholics Anonymous: there are five different weekly group meetings to choose from. more information at: https://rehabclinicsgroup.com/aa-meeting-locations/london-south-east-east/
Bromley and Lewisham Mind: Mental health and well-being https://blgmind.org.uk/
Link Age Southwark: if you are or you know someone who is an elderly resident of Southwark, this organisation offers a wide variety of services for older people. Call them on 0208 299 2623.
Just Older Youth (JOY): A local charity based around New Cross and neighbouring areas, providing a wide variety of activities and mutual support for the over 50s. Call Maureen on 0208 692 9186.
Community Connections: a social prescribing project aimed at improving health and well-being, and tackling isolation. call 0208 314 3244 or email communityconnections@ageuklands.org.uk.
Financial support with self isolation: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/benefits/financial-support-with-self-isolation
Deptford Reach – supporting homeless people, email: info@deptfordreach.org.uk http://www.deptfordreach.org.uk
Carers Lewisham – run by and for carers. Ensuring carers in Lewisham receive the correct support. 0208 699 8686.
Benefits advice 0800 231 5453
Employment support 07532787466
Domestic violence support 0808 2000247
Lewisham food bank 08082082138
Social supermarket – st Peter’s Church, Wickham Road, SE4 1LT. Pay £3 and choose your own food. https://www.stpetersbrockley.org.uk/feedback-food-request
Become a COVID champion
Covid 19 Community Champions help spread truthful information about COVID-19. This helps our community avoid myths and stay safe. https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/socialcare/health/lewisham-covid19-champions/become-a-covid19-champion.