South Norfolk Council have rebranded three of their bin lorries to help get crucial messages around Coronavirus out into the community.
Two of the lorries carry the message that if you need support or advice call 0344 8008020 and feature a young boy at a window holding a picture of a rainbow – an image that has come to symbolise hope and togetherness during this crisis.
The other contains the contact details for Voluntary Norfolk, with the message that if you can help and want to volunteer visit voluntarynorfolk.org.uk. The image is of someone dropping off boxes of food outside a vulnerable person’s house, something that is being done every day by hundreds of selfless volunteers throughout south Norfolk.
South Norfolk Council's Managing Director Trevor Holden said: “We are using every channel we have to get these critical messages out there that could literally be the difference between life and death. There are people in our community without access to the internet, so it’s crucial we do all we can to reach them and let them know we’re here to help . Equally, if someone is sitting at home with time to spare, then please get in touch and make a difference by joining the volunteers that are helping to save lives.”
Bertram Books in Norwich has donated two large boxes of books to South Norfolk and Broadland Council to distribute to local children. The books will be delivered alongside food packages to families in need through the Councils’ Help Hub.
The Councils’ Managing Director Trevor Holden said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation, which will bring so much joy to local children. Despite all the challenges faced by local businesses at the moment, it’s heart-warming to see that they remain so supportive of the struggling families within our communities.”
Bertram Books also donated a Jolly Phonics Classroom Kit, which includes books, puppets, a wall frieze, CDs, posters and much more. The kit has been gratefully received by St. William’s Primary School in Thorpe St Andrew.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – that’s the message from Broadland and South Norfolk District Councils to local people feeling vulnerable and in need of support during the COVID 19 lockdown.
Both Councils run a joint Help Hub which provides a range of services from advice to practical help like collecting medicines and delivering food to people who are self-isolating or unable to go to the shops. The support is free and is available to people of all ages who are local residents.
The Help Hub’s phone lines are staffed seven days a week to make sure no call goes unanswered. The team of staff and volunteers help with advice on money worries including potential hardship payments, information on support on dealing with domestic abuse or tension in the home and alleviating loneliness and isolation. They work with a range of other professionals to ensure the best help and advice is available.
A South Norfolk manufacturing company which switched production to PPE face shields to support the NHS and frontline workers is now making them available for a wide range of sectors where staff will interact with the public post-lockdown including retail workers, schools and businesses.
The team at Panel Graphic converted their production facilities after the Government called on manufacturers for help in providing face shields and protective clothing for NHS workers. In less than a week the Loddon based business was making 10,000 face shields per day which were distributed to hospitals across Norfolk and Suffolk and the East Anglia Ambulance Service.
The company produces specialist plastics for Bentley Motors and McLaren Automotive, industrial technology equipment, marine aviation and electronic displays. The managing director Steve Earl initially contacted South Norfolk’s Business Support Team who were able to put him in touch with the relevant departments.
South Norfolk Council’s Leisure Team have recently launched a brand-new YouTube channel to help residents keep fit and active during lockdown.
The Council’s 3 Leisure Centres in Diss, Wymondham and Long Stratton were forced to close in March, but the team have been busy creating free content to help inspire residents to try new ways of exercising and keep fit at home.
Over the coming weeks, the team will post Pilates, Yoga, HIIT workouts and much more on their South Norfolk Leisure channel.
South Norfolk and Broadland Help Hub came to the rescue of a local mother desperately in need last week, after she was struggling to feed her young daughter.
The Coronavirus lockdown restrictions had meant mum Anne-Marie Stone was unable to provide food for herself and her 1-year-old daughter Violet, so she called the Council for help.
She said: “I was absolutely blown away by the generosity of the Help Hub. Never did I imagine I would be in a situation, where I couldn't give my 20-month-old daughter a basic necessity - food! The Help Hub was able to supply us with a care package and I was expecting some bread, milk the basics.