2021

 

Happy New Year: we hope you had as festive a break as you were able and, if only online, caught up with family and friends. 

The pandemic and new lockdown are high in all our thoughts, so we are focussing on sharing some key local information, starting with the West Sussex Covid-19 data dashboard.    

West Sussex have issued a vaccination scam alert. Watch out for suspicious calls or texts offering the COVID-19 vaccination and remember: -.

The vaccine is only available on the NHS (for free) to people in priority groups, and they will contact you when it is your turn. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime.

The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment or for your bank details.

At the moment West Sussex are not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine. Anyone offering this now is committing a crime.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up;

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Sussex Police

On a more positive note, vaccinations are starting for eight local GP practices in suitable venues like the Selsey Centre. Venues have been chosen because they can be made Covid secure - this will give you a fuller picture of vaccinations across our District. 

If you run a business check here to make sure you are getting the support you are entitled to. You can also check here to find out about other loans, tax relief and cash grants.

WSCC’s frontline services to the most vulnerable continue, including social care provision for children, young people and adults. The Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) remain open but should only be used if waste cannot be safely stored or put out for normal kerbside collection. Libraries are only open for returns, collections and WSCC’s select and collect service. Ceremonies will not go ahead except in exceptional situations. For the latest updates on their services, visit West Sussex’s website.

The Community Hub still offers practical help and advice in confidence seven days a week, 8am-8pm. Information and systems for providing free school meals for those not attending school will be coming in due course, but in the meantime if you need support contact the Hub.

Mental health support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the Sussex Mental Healthline on 0800 0309 500. Support for people at risk of harm as a result of domestic abuse is available from the WORTH Specialist Domestic Abuse Service, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm.

As always from the whole Team, stay safe

Tim