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News

Useful resources And Links For Milton Keynes Residents – Corona Virus

In these uncertain times we at the GHRA would like to remind everyone that the most crucial piece of advice right now is to STAY INDOORS as much as possible. We at the GHRA have ceased all meetings, and cancelled any events we had planned for the foreseeable future, in line with current government rulings. We also wanted to point you to some useful information to help you stay informed and safe in the current pandemic crisis, so please follow the links below.

Community Action MK Supporting the voluntary and community sector of Milton Keynes – helpful information on how best to find help or offer help in your local community

The Food Bank is operating a helpline for people who can not get to the 3 serving stations to find out their options for receiving food parcels.  This line is open now  01908 565852.  Please can you promote this any way possible for them.

To update you if you are not already aware, they are still asking for food donations which people can give when they visit supermarkets.  They are also asking for money so will be ramping up their grant applications.   The Food Bank is moving into Saxon Court for three months, MKC staff are being redeployed to work there.  They do not need extra volunteers but we have been directing people who we know and trust and want to help to GP Surgeries to act as runners.

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/your-council-and-elections/coronavirus-how-you-can-help Milton Keynes Council and MK Community Foundation are launching a special appeal fund, MK Emergency Response Appeal, to which people can donate to support MK charities and community groups helping to support vulnerable people through the coronavirus outbreak.

MK-Good-neighbour-guide

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp get the latest government information delivered to your Whatsapp inbox and stay informed.

Mental health
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak  
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Kooth is a website that children and young people can use to get advice, support and guidance for any problem. They can connect to this anonymous and free service which is available every day via their laptop, tablet or smartphone at www.kooth.com 
Sleepio is an online sleep improvement programme, proven to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and give you more energy during the day. You can learn more about who Sleepio is suitable for here.


Carers MK have postponed all groups, workshops, activities etc. until they can re-start face to face services again. Carers can still contact them during the operational hours of 9-5 Monday – Friday, although they will offer some flexibility if a carer needs a call a bit later than this. 01908 231703
They are asking all carers registered with them to share their email address if they have one. This will help keep them informed of service changes via a Carers MK monthly e-bulletin.

Physical Activity
Have a look at the NHS Fitness Studio which is packed full of tips and videos.
Connect Health provides a first tier physiotherapy service in Milton Keynes. Their website has section that patients can access to help them get information on how to manage many musculoskeletal conditions.

General Health & Wellbeing
5 Ways to Wellbeing are a great way to think about steps you can take to maintain and improve your health and wellbeing. More information is available here.

 Stony Stratford Town Council now have a Coronavirus Information and  Support section in the Town Council website.  http://www.stonystratford.gov.uk/community/coronavirus-information-and-support

We hope this helps, please stay safe, stay 2 metres apart and stay indoors as much as possible.
The GHRA Committee

Added for informational purposes

Business expert have added a comprehensive guide to How to Spot, Avoid and Report Fake Cheque Scams, plus information on how to keep yourself safe.

It can be found here: https://www.businessexpert.co.uk/fake-cheque-scams/

Miscellaneous

Cancellation of meetings

Following the government guidelines on social distancing the GHRA have decided we should cancel all meetings. This means coffee mornings, the monthly Residents association meeting (one of which was planned for 19th March) and our Easter Event will all be cancelled until further notice.

Stay safe, stay informed and look out for each other.

The GHRA committee

News

2020 crime and community safety survey. MK

Safer MK, the Community Safety Partnership for Milton Keynes, has launched their 2020 crime and community safety survey.

They want to hear your views and perceptions of crime in the local community to direct their work for the next year in making Milton Keynes a safe place to live, visit and work.

The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete and the information you provide will be kept completely anonymous.
The survey will close on Friday 14 February

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GMQQLWM
Message Sent By
Mel Reedman (Police, Communications Officer, Thames Valley)
Miscellaneous

Information: Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Information Service (DIS)

We received this from Michelle who lives in Galley Hill and she is a dementia support worker for the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Information Service (DIS).

 I am just emailing to let you know about our service, in case you felt this information was suitable for the GHRA news letter, or if any residents would like me to attend a coffee morning.   Our contact number 01908 669404 or email, dementiainformation.service@nhs.net
The DIS aims to support people with dementia, their carers, people with memory concerns and professionals to understand the benefits of a timely diagnosis and to raise awareness of specialist and community services, post diagnosis.
Evidence shows that people who are well supported following a diagnosis are:

  • Enabled to live better quality lives for longer in their own homes
  • Prevented or delayed from admission to a care home
  • Prevented or delayed from having a crisis leading to admission to hospital, which often leads to premature admission to a care home and supported to be discharged from hospital earlier

People can self refer or be referred by their GP, the Specialist Memory Service (SMS) or by a care home or hospital to the DIS. The Dementia Support Workers will assess information and support needs and support primary care with input to care plans.
Benefits for people being referred to the DIS include:

  • Advice around delaying progress of some symptoms of dementia
  • Increased knowledge and understanding of dementia
  • Advice around managing the condition
  • Easier navigation of available services
  • Help in planning for the future

 We also have a local dementia friendly activity group held every Tuesday 10am – 12pm at Swinfen Harris Hall, London Road, MK11 1JA. Please get in touch if you would like anymore information. Kind regards,  
Michelle


Michelle Lee hee shiong
Dementia Support Worker
Dementia Information Service Alzheimer’s Society
Suite 433A,
2nd Floor
Margaret Powell House
417 Midsummer Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 3BN
 T: 01908 669404                           

alzheimers.org.uk

facebook.com/alzheimerssocietyuk

twitter.com/alzheimerssoc

Miscellaneous

End of year meeting and coffee morning announcement

Hi everyone, just a a couple of quick notices from your Residents Association..
Firstly, a reminder that tonight (Thursday19th December) is our final GHRA meeting of the year and we would love to see you there.

And secondly, as this coming Tuesday is Christmas Eve we will be letting our catering volunteers take a well earned rest so there will be no Coffee Morning.  Please let everyone know so they don’t turn up only to be disappointed.

The GHRA Committee would like to thank everyone for their support this year and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

News

Bogus Workmen

We have recently received this advice and wished to pass it on to our communities to help keep everyone safe.

Good afternoon all,  Hope you are all well and keeping warm. Could we please ask you to remind your local residents the importance of checking ID for anyone knocking claiming to be attending to do maintenance works, that they are not expecting. Anyone coming to complete works will have a valid ID card with a contact number on, that the resident can ring to validate the visit.If in doubt please use the following numbers, Mears 0330 123 2522  Milton Keynes Council  01908 691691 Thank you. Julia BandyTeam Leader Resident EngagementHousing & RegenerationT: 01908 253148Web: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

Milton Keynes Council Civic offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ

News

Wolverton & Stony Stratford area Community Forum

The following has been forwarded from an email sent by Wolverton & Stony Stratford, North Neighbourhood Policing Team, Milton Keynes LPA, Thames Valley Police

The date and location for the next Wolverton & Stony Stratford area Community Forum will be: Tuesday 12th November 2019 between 1900 – 2030hrs at the Kings Community Centre, Creed Street, Wolverton MK12 5LY.  

Germaine Newnham of New Bradwell Parish Council will chair this forum. The current top three priorities set at the previous forum were:

1.    Crime in Wolverton
2.    Aggressive begging & ASB at Bath House & Tesco’s Wolverton.
3.    Increase community awareness of crime reporting – online & 101. 

A new top three priorities will be chosen at this community forum. We look forward to seeing as many people there as possible to discuss any matters of community concern. We will be inviting representatives from local authorities and organisations to help provide immediate answers to any topics raised. 

Please promote the Community Forum and encourage attendance through whichever media platforms you feel are most appropriate and effective in your community. We look forward to seeing you there.