Hello everyone,

Things were very different this Christmas and New Year, but I hope you all had a good festive break, considering.

Lockdown 3: Stay At Home

As of 5th January, due to the national rise in Covid-19 cases which threatens to overwhelm the NHS, the Government has put England back in National Lockdown: ‘Stay At Home’, until mid-late February at the earliest. The rules on what you can and cannot do are set out here, and the Guardian has a useful summary is here.

The latest Somerset-wide information on coronavirus can be found here, with the dashboard of data here.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey responded that while he earlier called for action and the party will support the restrictions, this decision should have been taken before Christmas. We also want to see better support for those who have so far been excluded from the Government financial support schemes, investment in mental health services and an increase to the Carer’s Allowance (see here).

If you need medical help, please contact your registered GP practice or 111. Support can be accessed online at 111.nhs.uk or you can call 111 for free form your landline or phone.

Support available

If you need any help while staying at home, you can phone the Somerset-wide Coronavirus Helpline to connect to County and Mendip District Council services on 0300 790 6275 (8am-6pm every day), or Frome Town Council on 01373465757. Your local council support services are here for Mendip District, here for Somerset County, and here for Frome Town Council.

If you ever need someone to talk to, please reach out: Mindline 01823 276892, Open Mental Health Support on 01823 276892, Calm 0800 585858, Samaritans 116123, Age UK 0800 6781602, Childline 0800 111, Women’s Aid 0808 2000247.

A good summary of youth services and support for young people is here.

Affordable counselling is available from Focus Frome, and Wessex Counselling Services. Mendip Health Connections’ directory of local community and health support groups is here and they can be contacted on 01373468368.

Debt advice is available from Citizens Advice nationally and here in Mendip (call 03444889623), through the Money Advice Service, the StepChange debt charity, and the CAP. We Hear You provide free cancer counselling sessions – 01373455255 and here. Active and in Touch (07539795261) and enquiries@activeandintouch.org, support people feeling lonely and isolated.

Frome Community Drivers help people who need lifts to medical appointments and other essential journeys – call 07596591391 or see fromecommunitydrivers.org.uk.

Mendip Community Credit Union help people with affordable loans and to save ethically – and are looking for volunteers – see http://www.mendipcommunitycu.org.uk/.

Fair Frome (01373488578, see here) are providing the foodbank and their Food at Five Takeaway (hot and nutritious meals with vegetarian option) are continuing 3 days per week every week: Mondays at Mount Community Hut, Wednesdays at the Cricket Club, and Thursdays at Trinity Church Hall car park. These are free to anyone on benefits or low income. Just turn up at 5pm.

Vaccinations

People are now being vaccinated against the coronavirus locally in order of vulnerability or priority. The NHS will contact people to set up your appointment, so there is no need to contact your GP. Local information on the vaccination rollout can be found here. Vaccinations are taking place in Frome, at MDC offices in Shepton Mallet, and at the Bath & West Showground near Evercreech.

Mendip’s new priorities during lockdown

Mendip District Council has announced a three-point priority plan as it prepares to step-up its response to support the global health emergency, fight Covid-19, and save lives. From now until March or beyond the Council will focus on saving lives, delivering statutory services, and economic recovery, to help support the vaccination rollout. This means that some non-statutory non-priority services will receive less attention during the national crisis. Please see 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 – 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/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/somertonandfromeLD/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/CllrAdamBoyden

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