As one of your local councillors I need to keep you informed, and I hope this is useful:

Somerset Coronavirus Helpline – 0300 790 6275: 

There is now a single phone number for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support from our local councils. Anyone who cannot find help within their own community networks can use the helpline 0300 790 6275 to get help and advice on:

• personal care and support including delivery of food and prescriptions
• support for the homeless
• transport to medical appointments
• waste collection and disposal
• emotional support if you’re feeling worried or anxious
• financial support.

This links to Mendip District and Somerset County Councils’ contact centres and is open every day 8am to 6pm. This does not cover medical advice. The five councils in Somerset are getting in touch with people on their database that may be vulnerable to see if they need assistance with anything like supplies of food, help with transport and other support. Please see Somerset County Council’s updates here.

Frome Town Council is supporting services to help people in isolation and encouraging people to help with Emergency Food Parcels and bespoke shopping for isolated people. If you have a local query or need help please email info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01373 465757.

Anyone who would like to help others in Frome can join the Frome volunteer register at www.bit.ly/Frome-Covid-Help.  See here for Town Council news. 

Mendip District Council‘s information on how services have been affected, information for residents on waste collections, financial help, homelessness, and advice for businesses and employers is here.

The Council’s phone number for advice is 0300 303 8588. Over 1000 Mendip businesses have received £14 million in grants – if your business needs help please visit https://www.mendip.gov.uk/businessrates to check for your eligibility and apply for a grant today. Please send any queries to economy@mendip.gov.uk.

Advice on financial difficulties, Council Tax, benefits, rent and other financial help is here.

There is alot of work going on at Mendip behind the scenes to support businesses, homeless people and people in financial need, and in coordinating with all other local services. 

Fair Frome foodbank is asking for food donations and funds to buy food as the need to support people is increasing – a fundraising page has been set up here. For up to date information please call 01373 488578 or email info@fairfrome.org.

Health Connections Mendip has a large directory of a wide range of local community and health support groups – please see here.

Liberal Democrats: Nationally our party and MPs are encouraging the Government to improve their response to this crisis, including on testing and PPE, and have proposed a Frontline Support Package for NHS and social care workers in the frontline of this crisis – please see the campaign here: https://www.libdems.org.uk/in-detail-frontline-support

And there’s more… Advice, service updates and helplines: I am keeping an updated list of links to all the local advice, services and helplines I know of here.

Please get in touch if you need any support or have any questions. Drew and I are here to help. 

Best wishes,

Adam Boyden with Cllr Drew Gardner,    
Mendip District Councillors for Frome College ward

Adam – 07809284817, email aomboyden@gmail.com / cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk
Drew – email drewgardner@me.com / cllr.gardner@mendip.gov.uk
https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/
https://www.somertonandfromelibdems.org.uk/

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