COVID-19 cases are rising quickly in Havering.

Last week more new cases were reported in Havering than in the week before the lockdown was implemented in March, with new cases in Havering higher than both the London and England average.

The Council has been monitoring the increase and, as part of its response, the Government has agreed to the Council’s request that a new walk-through coronavirus testing facility should open in the borough.

The test centre is at the Council-owned Cherry Tree Lane car park off Rainham Road in South Hornchurch.

Please click on link below for more information on Covid 19 testing and booking an appointment in Rainham and Romford

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKLBH/bulletins/29f26ad

London Advantages of Age is a pro-ageing social enterprise with the aim of improving the wellbeing of over 50s. This Autumn, we have two free programmes for Londoners aged 50+ to help build confidence, resilience, and consider their options in these challenging times.

Build your confidence and get active with free Let’s Walk and Talk app.

Want to build your confidence after this tough year?

Looking to get some fresh air every day and keep your mind and body healthy?

Let’s Walk and Talk is a free seven week programme for Londoners aged 50+, designed to make you stronger mentally and physically.

Through an app containing expert advice, you’ll be supported to get walking every day, boost your confidence and resilience, and feel happy and well.

Run by Advantages of Age, you can meet fellow walkers online every week or to join with friends and do the programme together. Funded by Transport for London, the programme starts on Monday 14th September and you can sign up at letswalkandtalk.co.uk 

Free course for over 50s to explore starting your own business

Are you over 50 and currently unemployed, recently been made redundant or looking to branch out on your own?

Startup School for Seniors is a free eight week eLearning course for unemployed Londoners aged 50+, who are looking to start their own business.

This course is for you if:
• You have a passion or idea you’d like to turn into a business
• You want to gain the skills necessary to get a new business off the ground
• You would benefit from the support of others

Run by Advantages of Age, the course is being delivered online by entrepreneur Suzanne Noble and business coach Mark Elliott who create a fun, interactive, learning experience and support you to progress week by week. Funded by London Community Response, the course is free for unemployed Londoners. A discounted price is available for those who are unemployed and living outside London.

The course will start on Monday 5th October. Register for a place by 1 October here.

The multi award-winning, Brookside Theatre are delighted to announce that they are looking for local male performers to join the cast of their exciting forthcoming Christmas production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. The production will be directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Jai Sepple.

This musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic story tells that tale of a young girl from Texas, Dorothy as she goes on a magical adventure to the Land of Oz. Along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart and the very cowardly Lion who is desperate to be brave and have some courage. It’s not going to be easy for Dorothy to find her way home with the Wicked Witch of the West keeping a close eye on her! Will the Great and Powerful Oz be able to help?
This timeless, much-loved show features all of the classic songs including ‘We’re Off To See The Wizard’, ‘The Merry Old Land Of Oz’, ‘If I Only Had A Brain’, ‘If I Were King Of The Forest’, ‘Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead!’ and, of course, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’.

Jai Sepple explained “The Wizard of Oz has captivated audiences of all ages since the release of the motion picture in 1939 starring Judy Garland. We are so pleased to be able to offer local performers of all ages the opportunity to get involved in unarguably one of the best-known and best-loved musicals of all time this Christmas. We are equally thrilled to have been given permission to stage the production which promises to be truly outstanding.”

Following on from the first set of auditions, the theatre are keen to hear from talented and enthusiastic adult male performers well as boys aged 6+ (max height 5ft2) to take on different  roles.

Rehearsals commence 27th September at the Brookside Theatre and anyone interested in joining the cast should email auditions@brooksidetheatre.com for more information. (Rehearsals are socially distanced)

Tickets for THE WIZARD OF OZ are on sale, online at www.brooksidetheate.com or available from the box office on 01708 755775. The production runs from Wednesday 9th – Wed 23rd December 2020.

Walk, Talk and Breathe deeply

Join Streets Apart for over 65’s walks in your area.

Please click on link below for more information

https://mcusercontent.com/0f1b4e33e8a21d1821217c0a2/files/6d6b8696-5039-439c-9dd8-098334ea3ac0/Streets_Apart_participant_poster.docx

Volunteer to get older people walking more
Would you like to become a walk buddy for an older person?

Streets Apart project helps people to stay mobile – walking to the nearby shops or a park, admiring local history or urban wildlife

Please click on link below for more information

https://mcusercontent.com/0f1b4e33e8a21d1821217c0a2/files/f4d9e951-6b36-4764-94c9-5f4b00bf367a/Streets_Apart_flyer_2.docx

Online referral form for the Street Apart over 65’s walking programme. Please use the link below for a friend or family member to refer, or for an older person to join our walking programme. It enables a secure way to provide a referral where the older person has consented to it. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NWN6SSD

Good afternoon,

From today, Friday 21 August, NELFT will be relocating its blood testing service from the Victoria Centre in Romford to the Long Term Conditions Centre, RM3 0AR (near to Harold Wood Polyclinic).

Please see the links below to the latest blood testing information:

• Barking and Dagenham: https://www.barkingdagenhamccg.nhs.uk/Local-services/blood-tests.htm
• Havering: https://www.haveringccg.nhs.uk/Local-services/blood-tests.htm
• Redbridge: https://www.redbridgeccg.nhs.uk/Local-services/blood-tests.htm

Please note, the downloadable information is the same on each page but as I’m sending this email to contacts in all three boroughs, I don’t want to cause any confusion.

In light of the COVID-19 virus, we have taken steps to protect the public and our patients and staff:

• There are currently no walk-in services available – all blood tests must be booked in advance.
• A number of the usual blood testing locations have also been closed to reduce patient footfall, support social distancing and optimise our resources.
• For children under 12, blood tests will only be carried out on the advice of a consultant paediatrician.
• Always take your paper blood test form to your appointment as this is needed to process your blood test.

Best wishes,
Annie

Annie Robertson
Communications and Engagement Manager
Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Groups

We at Healthwatch Havering have launched a survey for families and friends of residents who are living in care homes in Havering.  As the world eases out of lockdown and moves into a recovery phase, our aim is to try and capture the experiences of residents, care home staff and the families and friends of people living in care homes.

We believe that it is important to capture these experiences and particularly the ones which helped individuals to cope, and those which created new and better ways of working.

The survey is completely anonymous – it does not require anyone to give their personal details nor does it require anyone to identify any organisations.  The purpose is simply to capture the experiences and those important little things which have really made a positive difference over the past few, difficult, months.

Participating in the survey could not be easier:

* Click here to take the survey on line

* Click here to download a printable hardcopy of the survey that you can then complete, pop in an envelope and post to us at Freepost Healthwatch Havering (No stamp needed)

* Or ring us on 01708 303300 and one of our people will be in touch to help you complete the survey over the phone

Pinney Talfourd Webinars

Pinney Talfourd Solicitors are running webinars explaining how people can access legal advice relating to wills, LPAs and probate during these uncertain times.

The webinars last for 30 minutes and allow viewers the chance to ask questions. Pinney Talfourd also offer free 30-minute consultations in person in COVID secure offices, by phone or by video meeting such as Skype and Microsoft Teams.

The webinars will take place on the following dates:

Friday 21 August from 1pm.

Friday 18 September from 1pm.

Friday 16 October from 1pm.

Friday 20 November from 1pm.

All will take place via Zoom and the registration details will be circulated the week of the event. If you wish to book into one of these webinars please email Pinney Talfourd’s Marketing Manager on joanna.smith@pinneytalfourd.co.uk confirming which date you wish to book for.

Full details can be found on their website www.pinneytalfourd.co.uk

Wills, LPAs & Probate Webinar
Everything you need to know

We are hosting a webinar looking at everything you need to know about Wills, LPAs and Probate in the current climate.

Our webinar will cover:

• The importance of having an up to date Will and how we can assist with this.
• Why you need Lasting Power of Attorneys in place and how this is done.
• Dealing with probate following the loss of a loved one is difficult at any time. We will outline the latest procedures and ways we can assist.

Our webinar will cover these points in 30 minutes and there will be a chance at the end to send in any questions you may have. If these aren’t covered in the talk we will be able to contact you afterwards if you have left your contact details.

Date: Friday 21 August 

Time: 1 pm – 1.30pm

Via Zoom Webinar – details circulated upon registration.

There will be a chance to submit questions and the speaker Kayleigh O’Donnell will do her best to answer these in the session.

To register for this free webinar please email our Marketing Manager Jo Smith – joanna.smith@pinneytalfourd.co.uk  If you have any questions please call Jo on 01708 255189.

Have your say now via our consultation portal