A Mental health guide to coping with a winter lockdown

I recently saw a very helpful infographic from Believe Perform, the world’s leading source of performance psychology, well-being and mental health content and it really resonated with me.   We all know that lockdown isn’t easy but lockdown in winter is tougher.  

Here’s a few tips that might help us all during these next few months.

• Lighting – on dark mornings, try wake up gradually with a slowly increasing light or try out a SAD light.
• Limit the news – we all know how bad it can be for us to have constant news bombarding us and checking social media.
• Taking time for yourself – plan your week – it is easy to lose the boundaries between work and home when you are not going anywhere.  Plan time when you can engage in activities that are relaxing and where you have time for you and for some self-care.
• Stay connected – write a letter, send someone a card, do a zoom family call or play a game online with a friend.  Some of us are feeling “zoomed” out after constantly being online but see if there are some fun ways to interact with others.
• Positive habits – write down a list of 5 to 10 positive mental health habits you can engage with to maintain your own mental fitness, listen to a podcast or learn a new recipe.
• Stay active – it’s harder in the winter but take a break from work and get out for a walk. Find a new way to be active. 
• Help others –supporting a neighbour or a friend, volunteering locally, helping with the chores can really boost your positive emotions
• Ask for help – if you are struggling, reach out to family, friends, your doctor or a local mental health charity.  There is always someone to help.

Wiltshire Mind – www.wiltshiremind.co.uk 

Samaritans – www.samaritans.org Call 116 123

Shout – text SHOUT to 85258 

Kellie runs Dunwoody HR, a local HR Consultancy providing outsourced HR support and solutions to small and medium sized business.   

MALMESBURY CHARITY APPEAL DOUBLES ITS COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND TARGET 

Malmesbury charity HEALS is thanking local people and businesses for helping it double  its Covid 19 Emergency Hardship Fund target to support local vulnerable individuals and families.  The appeal has had the backing of the town’s 17 current and former Mayors and four church leaders.

“We had hoped to raise £10,000, but were simply amazed by the generosity of local people, organisations and charities. As a result, we have more than doubled our original target and the fund now stands at just over £20,000” said Heals Chair of Trustees Gavin Grant.

“That help is much needed. It has meant we have been able to provide free meals three times a week to those that really need them, recycle and upgrade 50 laptops for children to do school work at home, replace broken household appliances and meet household bills for people without the means to pay,” Cllr Grant added.

Heals has organised the provision of more than 4,300 free meals, two to three times a week, for more than 100 local people since lockdown. The charity was supported by Calcot Hotel & Spa, Waitrose Malmesbury, Tesco Tetbury and since May, by the Red Bull Inn in Malmesbury which has served up more than 2,000 meals at cost.  The meals service will continue until the schools return in September and the charity is looking at what it can do to continue to support people who continue to need help.

Applications for help from the Emergency Fund are still open.  To apply email heals.malmesbury@gmail.com, or complete the Contact Us online form at www.healsmalmesbury.co.uk.  Applicants will need to provide confidential details about their current finances. The Fund will help pay bills or make essential purchases, rather than hand out money direct to applicants.

Although the online appeal is now closed, donations can still be made by cheque or by bank transfer to the Malmesbury Area Covid-19 Emergency Hardship Fund, account number 21527088, sort code 40 31-07, or by cheque made payable to ‘Heals’ send to Heals, Malmesbury Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 ‎9BZ

Malmesbury Mayor Campbell Ritchie and BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Ben Prater ceremonially cut a ribbon of toilet paper to declare Malmesbury’s new public toilets open on last week (Friday 14 August.), celebrated by an enthusiastic and socially distanced crowd.

The two unisex toilets, one specially designed for people with disabilities and including baby changing facilities, are behind the Town Hall in Malmesbury town centre and will initially be open from 7am to 7pm seven days a week. They are free to use and replace the old public conveniences which closed 11 years ago.

Campbell said: ‘We have known for a long time that we should have modern, accessible toilet facilities in the heart of the town. The new toilets add to a long list of Malmesbury firsts. 

“We are not only England’s oldest borough and the place where the first human flight took place; we now have the first public toilets in the country designed with COVID-19 in mind. They are as touch free as possible. 

“This has been a challenging project. We have succeeded in converting a redundant part of a listed building into a really useful asset. 

“We owe thanks to those who have helped fund the project; the European Union Fund in support of the Rural Economy, which we accessed through Vale Action and the Area Board of Wiltshire Council, our build team from Hi-Tec Washroom Solutions Ltd, led by Managing Director, Ramon Bunce and our Town Clerk, Richard Spencer-Williams, who managed the works on behalf of Malmesbury Town Council.

“Very importantly, our new toilets will encourage more residents and visitors to come and stay longer in the town centre, which is important for our community and economy,” the Mayor added.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT 

• Cllr Campbell Ritchie, Mayor of Malmesbury 0780 2638424 campbellrmtc@gmail.com.

Wiltshire Council has set up a dedicated hub to support the most vulnerable residents during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.   The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub is available to anyone who is struggling during this difficult time, such as people who are shielding or self-isolating and don’t have a support network around them or know where to get help.

Wiltshire Council’s team can help provide support but also signpost them to where additional help is available in their local area – with hundreds of community groups set-up across the county providing invaluable assistance  People can get in touch with the hub via email at wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk  or by calling 0300 003 4576.  It’s available from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We have seen communities up and down the county supporting one another and that resilience and comradery has been inspiring.  hopefully our hub can provide a friendly voice and reassurance to ensure people get the support they need.”

Wiltshire’s dedicated COVID-19 page can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus which include information such a Communities Group Directory, COVID-19 Community Pack and the COVID-19 Volunteer Pack as well as a host of other guidance and information.

Local charity Heals of Malmesbury, in partnership with Malmesbury Town Council, has launched an emergency ‘meals on wheels’ service. The service supports isolated and elderly people and vulnerable families during the Covid-19 crisis. The pre-prepared meals are thanks to an initiative led by Richard Davies, executive chef at Tetbury hotel Calcot & Spa, and privately funded by Calcot’s principle shareholders, the Stone Family  

“We were delighted when Richard got in touch to say Calcot’s kitchen would prepare a main course and pudding three times a week, free of charge, to deliver to Malmesbury residents in need during the emergency,” said Heals Chair of Trustees Cllr Gavin Grant.

The two course meals are freshly and professionally prepared and just need reheating. The food is being delivered by a team of volunteer drivers recruited by Malmesbury Town Council.  All the meals are collected from the hotel by Malmesbury’s Cartmell Community Minibus to minimise the number of vehicles on the road. 

“Working with Town Councillors, lunch clubs and Heals Service Users, we have contacted people who would benefit most from regular hot food. We already have 50 on our list and the numbers are still growing, Gavin said.

“It really is fantastic to see Richard and his team helping in this way, not only providing meals for Malmesbury, but also in Tetbury and Nailsworth, as well as Sherston and Luckington, co-ordinated by Sherston Parish Councillor Martin Smith,.

“We are so grateful everyone who has stepped forward to turn Richard and his team’s generosity into a temporary home delivery ‘meals on wheels’ service. We hope it will continue through the crisis.” he added. 

There are many local farm shops supplying pre-ordered collection boxes and some even offering a delivery service which may be useful for those self-isolating.   Their produce is mostly from on farm or locally sourced.

Michael’s Butchers, Bistro and Deli for fresh and cooked meats, pies and cheeses.  51 The Triangle, Malmesbury  01666 823981   hello@michaelsbbd.co.uk     www.michaelsbbd.co.uk

The Butts Farm Rare Breeds Farmshop supply meats, eggs, fruit and vegetables and local condiments for collection and delivery.  01285 862224 buttfarmrarebreeds.co.uk  South Cerney GL7 5QE

The Farm Shop at Hawkesbury, GL9 1AN can supply meats, eggs, dairy and firewood.  A full product list can be downloaded from the website:

www.ajmorganfarmproduce.com 

Orders (text or email preferred) have to be in by Wednesday lunchtime for delivery at the weekend or collection available.

Contact details, Karen 07929 947149.

Brinkworth Dairy can supply milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt and butter.   For collection or delivery see www.brinkworthdairy.co.uk/milkround   07977 580281

Luckington Farm Beef supply beef from locally bred native breeds, farmed in a way which aims to enhance the environment and ensures the highest welfare standards of the animal.  Pre-order for collection or delivery essential.  janie@luckingtonfarm.com  Instagram : Luckingtonfarm

Old Sodbury Lamb.   All home reared and butchered.   Collection or delivery available.  Andy Williams 07730580748   Sarah Williams  07860462253

Allington Farm Shop supplies, meats, fruit and vegetables, dairy, and condiments as well as pies and cakes.  Collection service available or delivery for the most vulnerable.  email: sales@allingtonfarmshop.co.uk

*check with each individual supplier for delivery criteria

Prior to mid-March this year, very few people in the UK had ever really heard of furlough.  That all changed on Friday 20 March when the government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.  This is a temporary scheme open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020 and was put in place to help avoid significant large-scale redundancies across the country from those businesses directly affected by Coronavirus.  Employees who are placed on temporary leave in order to benefit from this scheme are referred to as being “furloughed”. 

Through this scheme, UK employers can claim back 80% of furloughed employees usual monthly wage costs up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer NI contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions on that wage.  This will be paid in the form of a grant and will be processed through an HMRC online portal (expected to be available by the end of April 2020) 

Some key points: 

It is available to all companies regardless of size or type.

It is only in respect of employees who were on a PAYE payroll on 28 February 2020.

They can be on any type of contract including full time or part time employees, employees on agency contracts and employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts.

It must be for a minimum of three weeks. 

The employee cannot undertake any work on behalf of their company that involves providing services or generating revenue.  Their eligibility is not compromised by completing any volunteer work or training.

Employers must discuss the fact that employees are being furloughed with any impacted employees and employees have to agree to it unless they have a layoff/short term working clause already in their contracts.

Companies may choose to top up their employee’s pay but do not have to.

The normal pay rate does not include fees, commissions or bonuses.

If an employee is shielding (i.e. self-isolating for a prolonged period due to being in a particularly at-risk category) should be furloughed rather than put on statutory sick pay

Employees who are self-isolating or who are on sick leave should be paid statutory sick pay for this and can be placed on furlough after this point.

Self-employed individuals cannot be furloughed. A separate Self-Employed Income Support Scheme was revealed on 26 March that will support the majority of self-employed individuals.

For further information on these schemes, please see www.gov.uk.  

If you have any queries about your employees and want some help, please contact Kellie at Dunwoody HR Consulting. 

200407 – Malmesbury Connections – Volunteer Page

Furlough – what is it? 

Prior to mid-March this year, very few people in the UK had ever really heard of furlough.  That all changed on Friday 20 March when the government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.  This is a temporary scheme open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020 and was put in place to help avoid significant large-scale redundancies across the country from those businesses directly affected by Coronavirus.  Employees who are placed on temporary leave in order to benefit from this scheme are referred to as being “furloughed”. 

Through this scheme, UK employers can claim back 80% of furloughed employees usual monthly wage costs up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer NI contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions on that wage.  This will be paid in the form of a grant and will be processed through an HMRC online portal (expected to be available by the end of April 2020) 

Some key points: 

• It is available to all companies regardless of size or type.
• It is only in respect of employees who were on a PAYE payroll on 28 February 2020.
• They can be on any type of contract including full time or part time employees, employees on agency contracts and employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts.
• It must be for a minimum of three weeks. 
• The employee cannot undertake any work on behalf of their company that involves providing services or generating revenue.  Their eligibility is not compromised by completing any volunteer work or training.
• Employers must discuss the fact that employees are being furloughed with any impacted employees and employees have to agree to it unless they have a layoff/short term working clause already in their contracts.
• Companies may choose to top up their employee’s pay but do not have to.
• The normal pay rate does not include fees, commissions or bonuses.
• If an employee is shielding (i.e. self-isolating for a prolonged period due to being in a particularly at-risk category) should be furloughed rather than put on statutory sick pay
• Employees who are self-isolating or who are on sick leave should be paid statutory sick pay for this and can be placed on furlough after this point.
• Self-employed individuals cannot be furloughed. A separate Self-Employed Income Support Scheme was revealed on 26 March that will support the majority of self-employed individuals.

For further information on these schemes, please see www.gov.uk.  

If you have any queries about your employees and want some help, please contact Kellie at Dunwoody HR Consulting.

Local charity Heals of Malmesbury, in partnership with Malmesbury Town Council, has launched an emergency ‘meals on wheels’‎ service. The service supports isolated and elderly people and vulnerable families during the Covid-19 crisis. The pre-prepared meals are thanks to an initiative led by Richard Davies, executive chef at Tetbury hotel Calcot & Spa, and privately funded by Calcot’s principle shareholders, the Stone Family.

“We were delighted when Richard got in touch to say Calcot’s kitchen would prepare a main course and pudding three times a week, free of charge,‎ to deliver to Malmesbury residents in need during the emergency,” said Heals Chair of Trustees Cllr Gavin Grant.

The two course meals are freshly and professionally prepared and just need reheating. The food is being delivered by a team of volunteer drivers recruited by Malmesbury Town Council.  All the meals are collected from the hotel ‎by Malmesbury’s Cartmell Community Minibus to minimise the number of vehicles on the road. 

“Working with Town Councillors, lunch clubs and Heals Service Users, we have contacted people who would benefit most from regular hot food. We already have 50 on our list and the numbers are still growing, Gavin said.

“It really is fantastic to see Richard and his team helping in this way, not only providing meals for Malmesbury, but also in Tetbury and Nailsworth, as well as Sherston and Luckington, co-ordinated by Sherston Parish Councillor Martin Smith.

“We are so grateful everyone who has stepped forward to turn Richard and his team’s generosity into a temporary home delivery ‘meals on wheels’ service. We hope it will continue through the crisis.” he added.