Below are contact details specifically for Backwell and we intend to try to keep this information up to date as things change. At present the recommendation is that (as well as washing your hands with soap frequently and carefully) if you have a raised temperature (37.8 C) and / or a new cough you should self-isolate for a 7 days. If you or a neighbour in Backwell might benefit from non-medical help, please see the below:

 

BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL – COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PROGRAMME

Some people in Backwell will feel alone during this time of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) whether this be due to self-isolation (precautionary or mandated) or because they fall into one of the higher-risk categories (https://www.backwell-pc.gov.uk/coronavirus-information/). Those people may benefit from some friendly regular contact or need some simple help (outside that of a medical nature), and Backwell Parish Council would like to help during this time.

We can organise to have someone check in regularly, either by Phone, Skype, Facetime or arrange some shopping to be delivered onto the doorstep (following the government guidelines). We have local volunteers from your Backwell Parish Councillors or from other local organisations and neighbours who can offer support and help organise some necessities from local suppliers through this period.

To register an interest from yourself or a neighbour, please call the Parish Council Clerk on 01275 464653 (if you get the answer phone please leave a message with your name and contact details) or email (easier for us) clerk@backwell-pc.gov.uk and someone will be in contact via Phone to see how we can help.

This is a free service to help Backwell during this difficult time.

If you wish to volunteer to help please email your details to: clerk@backwell-pc.gov.uk ideally using this Volunteer form. If you or some one you know needs help from a volunteer, please ask them to phone Parish Council Clerk on 01275 464653 or email the Requestor form.

 

BACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

Update on 17 April 2020. The above Coronavirus resilience programme is occupying us almost completely. Because of the “lock-down” all council face-to-face meetings (including the Annual Meeting of Parishioners) are now CANCELLED until further notice. However, in the last few days, legislation has been passed allowing Town and Parish Councils to “meet” virtually. We are keeping this under review but as of today we do not have a “meeting” planned. The most likely timing for that would be in May for the Annual Meeting of Council especially if that can not be delayed until later in the year. If we have any Council meetings that would normally have been be open to the public, we will attempt to facilitate observation over the internet.

In addition, all events that were being organised by Backwell Parish Council are now either cancelled or postponed. One example is the VE day celebrations but we are hoping this is postponed and that a suitable event can be held when allowed.

 

North Somerset Council will never ask you for your bank account details over the phone.

Fraudulent use of council phone numbers

 

Backwell Medical Centre Statement:

On 13 March Tyntesfield Medical Group moved to the ‘delay’ stage of tackling the spread of the Corona Virus by reducing the footfall of patients to its surgeries in order to further protect the most vulnerable patients who have to visit us and staff who are needed to run the surgeries.

We will be moving as far as it is practicable to a consulting model which is biased towards telephone consulting thereby reducing the number of patients who actually need to visit any of our surgeries.

Please help us by only requesting an appointment when absolutely necessary and be prepared to accept a telephone consultation in the first instance if that is offered.

Please do not present at the surgery if you have symptoms of the recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature. If those are your only symptoms then you must follow the widely published Corona Virus Stay at Home Advice. https://www.nhs.uk/…/coronavirus-cov…/self-isolation-advice/

To minimise the spread of Coronavirus and manage the increase in demand on NHS services, please refer to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 before contacting your practice with any concerns or questions regarding the Corona Virus.

Do not book a GP appointment if you have a fever (over 37.8 degrees) or new cough. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people for at least 7 days – people you live with will need to self-isolate for 14 days. NHS England have announced that all patients booking online appointments need a call from the practice before they’re allowed to attend. This may affect your ability to make online appointments

(UPDATE 17 March: Tyntesfield Medical Group including Backwell Surgery have now removed the option of booking appointments online).

Easter Opening Hours

Tyntesfield Official website

 

Exercise and Farm Land, Crops and Animals:

Please remember to keep a good distance from other people when taking your daily walk or run, even on footpaths out of town. The NFU say….
“We fully recognise that people want to take their once daily exercise in the countryside at a safe social distance from others during this C19 crisis.
“But we are reminding people that the countryside is also a working environment for farmers who are producing our food. Therefore we urge people to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds before leaving home and on their return.
“Please follow the Countryside Code, sticking to designated footpaths and at this critical time, please keep dogs on leads at all times, particularly as ewes are giving birth to lambs. This will not only reduce the risk of dog attacks on farm animals, it will also help to avoid unnecessary social contact between countryside users and farmers, many of whom are older and at greater risk of C19.”

Within Backwell we have had reports of walkers damaging farm crops so, while keeping 2 metres away from other people, please do not tread on / damage crops.

 

Message from Revd. Katy St Andrews Church, Backwell:

St Andrew’s Church has a pastoral group and would like to offer spiritual and emotional support to residents. If you are feeling anxious or isolated through the corona virus, please call the church office between 9am and 12noon Monday to Friday and speak to Justine our Administrator 01275 463469 or if the office is closed 07857 505179
With love and prayers. Rev Katy Garner

 

Police Poster / Information

 

Selection of useful local contacts (assembled by Jon Gibbins)

 

Mental Health:

Wellspring Counselling is open for business as usual. If you want to join our waiting list, you can contact our admin team as usual on reception@wellspringcounselling.org.uk or by calling 01275810879 and leaving a message.  Wellspring also has a service for local young people during the Covid-19 crisis http://wellspringsomerset.btck.co.uk/.

 

Below is a selection of National Guidance:

16 March update:

SOCIAL DISTANCING

HOUSEHOLD ISOLATION

 

OVERVIEW

 

STOP THE SPREAD                              SYMPTOMS                    SELF ISOLATION ADVICE (STAY AT HOME)

 

5 THINGS TO DO                                   GOVERNMENT RESPONSE            WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?

 

FOR FUN: To avoid “Cabin Fever“, why not sign-up to the youtube channel below and sing along with the Quarantine Choir (examples below but they are daily):

 

ALSO For small children:

Posted by Ragdolly Annas – Milton Keynes on Thursday, 19 March 2020

 

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra:

Concerts for Free.