IT’S GOOD TO BE A
Things to look out for...
Here are some of the things that you could be looking out for, some may seem really obvious, but it can be the smaller things, which we often ignore, that when left untended can end up causing the biggest problems. We’ll update these regularly, so keep checking this webpage for the latest safety advice.
Are their curtains always drawn shut? Now more than ever getting some natural sunlight could really boost your mood. Why not drop a note through their letterbox offering a chat?
Do they smoke inside the property? If you know that they do direct them to the ‘Your Safety > Safety Advice > Smoking’ section on our website to ensure they are being as safe as they can be.
Free time on your hands in isolation? Now is the perfect time to Spring Clean and get that cooker spick and span! Having a dirty cookertop or using it as a means of storage is in fact, one of the leading causes of house fires in Lancashire but it’s super easy to avoid; remind them to keep it clean and keep it clear.
Using portable heaters to keep warm? Keep them at least 1 metre away from items that could catch fire. With the heater themselves, do they look to be in good working order without frayed wires or damaged plugs? If not, don’t use them, grab a blanket instead!
Candles and tealights, especially when left unattended create a huge fire risk. Often, melting hot wax can run and cause other items to combust. Ask neighbours to put drawings in their window rather than candles to show solidarity.
Now is the time to ensure you aren’t overloading plug sockets or using any items that are damaged. And make sure you turn off appliances before going to bed.
Test your smoke alarm and post a reminder to your neighbours to check theirs every week too. Routine and knowing what day it is will quickly go out the window so make sure you keep on top of your home safety by setting a reminder in your phone.
At this time Home Fire Safety Check visits will only be made to those most at risk from fire in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and our firefighters. To arrange a visit contact our freephone contact number on; 0800 169 1125.
- I need support - Support Service Partners
The services below are offering support to those who are vulnerable or isolated throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
Corona Kindness Helpline and Hubs – Blackpool
The new ‘Corona Kindness’ service is a helpline for those who need help or those who can offer help with food shopping, medical supplies, social isolation and loneliness.12 hubs are in the process of being set up to co-ordinate all the services. If you want to register for help please visit their website and self refer or telephone 0808 196 30 80.
Chorley Together and South Ribble Together
Both hubs will offer help and support with key organisations from the public, charitable and voluntary sector, along with local groups, organisations and individuals to support vulnerable residents in time of crisis.
A dedicated team has been created to help and support those in need.
Chorley Together – self refer by calling 01257 515 151 or email contact@chorley.gov.uk.
South Ribble Together – self refer by calling 01772 625 625 or email Covid19support@southribble.gov.uk
Hyndburn Hub have implemented a network of support for the wider community including reaching out to members of the local community who do not fall under the Government’s identified most vulnerable list.
This vast network includes approved organisations, groups and businesses who are able to support other members of the local community. Individuals who contact the hub will be signposted to the relevant support service and offered assistance when required.
You can get in contact with the hub by calling 01254 388 111 or email: enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Wyre Together will offer support to those in the Government’s outlined high risk categories. This includes those over 70 and others with underlying health issues who are self-isolating and don’t have the support of friends, neighbours or family.
If you are in social isolation because of the Coronavirus and DO NOT have support from family, friends or neighbours please fill out our form. We will use this information to see how we can best support you.
Age Concern has a Coronavirus Support Service aimed at people aged 70 or over and who need help during this period of isolation. They are working to deploy a workforce of people who can help with cleaning, meal preparation, shopping, regular telephone calls, information and advice e.g. financial support.
Referrals can be made by telephone on 01772 552 850 (option zero) or via the website.
A free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. They can provide information and advice on referrals referrals to emergency food supplies, as well as a range of issues including benefits, housing options and health and community care. Contact them on: 0300 303 1234.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service provided by energy suppliers and network operators to customers in need. Add yourself or someone else to the register with; Electricity North West, United Utilities, Candent Gas.
Progress Lifeline is a not for profit organisation and is part of the Progress Housing Group based in Lancashire. They provide personal alarms and 24/7 emergency home response service to help people live more independently. Our lifeline buttons can be pressed or activated automatically if someone falls, to call our 24/7 control centre team who can provide help for the user by calling the appropriate emergency contact.
- Want to volunteer?
The services below are looking for volunteers to help support to those who are vulnerable or isolated throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
Age Concern Central Lancashire recognises that many people and businesses want to help during the Coronavirus pandemic and Age Concern are working on providing opportunities to do just that. If you wish to volunteer your services call 01772 552 850 or visit their website.
Age UK Lancashire look to provide support to the NHS in discharging older people home from hospital through their Hospital Aftercare Service. Through their information and advice line they provide information on sources of local support, including referrals to emergency food supplies, as well as advice on a range of issues including benefits, housing options and health and community care.
If you would like to volunteer your services to Age UK Lancashire email advice@ageuklancs.org.uk
The Lancashire Volunteer Partnership was established in 2016 between public services who wanted to provide one gateway into public service volunteering. Our aim is to make volunteering for public services rewarding and to provide opportunities for people to make a real difference in their local communities.
Volunteer to become a Befriender where you can offer to telephone someone who needs a chat. You can also sign up yourself if you feel isolated and alone and would like someone to make contact with you. More information here.
The NHS are looking for volunteers to help with driving people to appointments, delivering medicines and calling people to check they are doing okay in isolation. More information and how to volunteer here.
Corona Kindness Helpline and Hubs – Blackpool
The new ‘Corona Kindness’ service is a helpline for those who need help or those who can offer help with food shopping, medical supplies, social isolation and loneliness. If you want to offer help please email helpoffered@blackpool.gov.uk
Hyndburn Hub have implemented a network of support for the wider community including reaching out to members of the local community who do not fall under the Government’s identified most vulnerable list.
They are also calling on members of the local community to support the Hyndburn Hub by volunteering and are celebrating all those who are dedicating their time to help in this difficult situation through their #HiddenHeroes campaign.
You can get in contact with the hub by calling 01254 388 111 or email: enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Wyre Together will offer support to those in the Government’s outlined high risk categories. This includes those over 70 and others with underlying health issues who are self-isolating and don’t have the support of friends, neighbours or family.
We want to support groups in the area and put them in touch with those who need help. We are already working with groups including Poulton Can, Garstang Volunteer Force, Fleetwood Together and Warren Manor Day Centre and are happy to hear from other groups in Wyre to see how we can help.
We are asking community groups and organisations who are offering support to local people, or who would like to help out in some way, to let us know what they are doing/would like to do.
It could include help with shopping, making phone calls, sending post or addressing other essential needs.
Click here if you are an organisation and want to offer support.
Click here and email us if you are an individual and want to offer support.
- Coronavirus related scams
We have been alerted to a number of scams affecting the local area. Please read, take note and share.
Business rates scam
Calls have been received by residents with callers claiming to be from councils calling businesses to request bank details so they can process their rebates and / or grants. Councils in Lancashire will NOT telephone and request bank details over the telephone. If you experience such a call, please do not share personal information of any kind.
Free school meals email scam
The Department of Education has been informed some parents have received an email stating ‘As schools will be closing, it you’re entitled to free school meals send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’. This is a scam email, do not respond and delete immediately.
NHS donations
The scam requests donations to the NHS. The email reads fine until the end, asking for a bank transfer. The bank account details looks genuine (sort code is Barclays in Didsbury, Manchester), so the account may be hacked or used. This is a scam email, do not respond to it
- Health and Wellbeing Support Services
The Silver Line is the free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Contact them on: 0800 4 70 80 90.
Mind, the mental health charity. Contact them on: 0300 123 33 93. Text them, on: 86463
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. 24/7, 365, call: 116 123
This service runs in Blackpool and offers mental health support for Children and young people aged under 18. They are offering advice and support around anxiety and emotional health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak via 07810 696 565.
- John's Story
John lives in Skelmersdale and regularly frequents an internet cafe so he can keep in touch with friends and family. Due to the Coronavirus and his age he is now self-isolating but worried about becoming lonely. Community Support Officer’s Andy and Martin have given John their phone number so he can call up for a chat and not feel so alone. The Lancashire Volunteer Partnership are taking ‘Befriending Volunteers’ where you can offer to telephone someone who needs a chat. You can also sign up yourself if you feel isolated and alone and would like someone to make contact with you. More information here. - Frederick's Story
In August 2019, ninety-six year old war veteran Frederick was admitted to hospital by ambulance.Frederick had not long lost his wife of 75 years, and was still adjusting to a life of independent living. Most of his family had moved away for work purposes and every Friday he would be visited by his carer- this would often be the only human contact Frederick had during the week.Frederick was very much used to doing the chores, like putting out the bins or letting the cat in and out of the house, and so he had no reason to believe that this day would be any different. Unbeknown to Frederick the winds had picked up dramatically overnight. He’s partially deaf and so was unable to hear the roaring outside, and he always keeps his curtains drawn to keep in the heat, and because he fears that burglars might target him. Tomorrow was bin day, and so as per usual Frederick proceeded to take out the rubbish through his garage door. As he opened it, the door was caught by a sudden gust causing it to slam shut, striking him over the head in the process. Ordinarily, Frederick could have counted on his wife, or his carer to come to his aid, but because it was a Sunday no one came.Cold, injured, alone, afraid and unable to lift himself, Frederick had been outside for 14 hours. He had been bleeding quite heavily from an open wound at the top of his head, and he was worried that no-one would find him as he looked down his driveway at cars and passers by going about their typical rush hour business. Time passed, and he had started to become hopeless and began fearing for his life. It was by chance that his next door neighbour, who is also elderly, was out for the day, and so a courier had to deliver her parcel to Frederick’s house instead. Luckily, the courier driver noticed Frederick and immediately called 999. The ambulance service wasted no time in treating Frederick and admitting him to hospital where he made a full recovery.Frederick was lucky, and this situation could have ended very differently indeed. It is stories like these which make us feel so passionately about our winter safety campaign. So when we say ‘It’s good to be a Nosey Neighbour’ we don’t mean peaking, sneaking or creeping, we mean it’s good to be there and look out for neighbours, loved ones and those living around you. Just think…do you have a Frederick living in your community? Get involved with our campaign by following and sharing our winter safety information, and join in the conversation with the hashtag #NoseyNeighbour or sign up by clicking here.*This is a true story, although some details have been changed to preserve the anonymity of the victim, including the use of stock images, available here: https://bit.ly/2X7tkrE