It makes me feel good that already since yesterday 19 people have come forward to become Stinchcombe Saints. Offering to help others in Stinchcombe would might be in isolation. We have 3 from Taits Hill, 7 from The Street and 9 from Wick Lane.

Thank you to all who came forward so far, I don’t know just how much you will be needed in the coming months, but it makes me feel good that people are so caring about others in the community and want to help.

Still, we do need others on the register so please come forward.

email stinchcombeparish@gmail with all your details.

Richard

Thank-you all for quickly responding to my email with offers of help, remember it won’t just be one section of the population self isolating, it will be those who have come into contact with others and also those who are recovering.

We have started a WhatsApp group and there is already around 15 people signed up to it. An email address stinchcombeparish@gmail.com has been setup which will be monitored and we are hoping to put something through everyone’s letterbox requesting information.

What we do need is volunteers who would be willing….because at some point when this all kicks off, it could be you in Isolation!

I watched Boris tonight and I don’t know what it is, but the more I listen to him the less I understand. It’s like listening to Stanley Unwin.

So here are the key points:

• everyone in the UK is now being advised to avoid “non-essential” contact with others and “unnecessary” travel.
• people are also being asked to work from home “where they possibly can”, and avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues.
• people are now being advised to stay at home for 14 days if they, or anyone in their household, has either a high temperature or a “new and continuous cough”
• people in at-risk groups will be asked within days to be “largely shielded from social contact” for 12 weeks.
• the UK is to scale up coronavirus testing in the coming weeks
• from tomorrow, mass gatherings will no longer be provided with emergency workers

The Village Hall Committee has sadly taken the decision to postpone Friday’s Quiz Night for the time being. Apologies to all who were planning to come but we plan to hold it later in the year and hope to see you then.

It now seems likely that within the next week to 10 days that over 70’s will be requested to stay at home and “Self Isolate” while the peak of the infection passes by.

In our Community of Stinchcombe that affect quite a few households and it will mean Isolation for up to two months. Whether this will be compulsory or voluntary will have to be seen. However, in other countries, they are going down the compulsory route.

Personally I hope it is voluntary, but I fear it will be compulsory

In my own household this ruling would affect one but not the other, but what would be the point if one self isolates while the other goes out and gets the virus and brings it home.? However that is another discussion.

So what can we do in our community to help those who are having to self isolate? And should we start to plan now?

Are younger people willing and able to pick up and deliver food, papers, post and whatever else? Are you willing to walk any pets? Are you willing to drive someone the a drive through testing station? Are you willing to keep in touch?

We do need a list of volunteers with:

• Name:
• Contact Number:
• Address:
• What you can help with:
  • Picking up Grocery Shopping
  • Picking up Other Shopping
  • Picking up Prescriptions
  • Pet Walking
  • Posting
  • A Friendly Chat.

Have a think about this as I am sure the Parish Council will be interested to hear from you.

Saturday 18th April at 10.30am at St Cyr’s church.