A commemoration service for HRH Prince Philip will be held at 6pm on Thursday, 15th April at St Nicholas, Fulford and Friday 16th April at Christ Church Hilderstone at 6pm.  Both services will be held under C19 regulations.

St Nicolas Fulford & Christ Church Hilderstone respectfully remind residents that no dogs are permitted in the churchyard unless they are service dogs.

Bus services are likely to continue to change at short notice, especially as some restrictions begin to be relaxed, and service changes will be added to our webpage throughout the month.

From 4 April

• The current service 14 (D&G Bus, Stafford – Hanley) will be cancelled. Stafford to Eccleshall and Woodseaves will be served, Monday to Saturday, by the new D&G Bus service 432. Hanley to Trentham, Barlaston and Stone will be served, Monday to Saturday, by the new D&G Bus service 100. Yarnfield and Swynnerton will be served by a new service to be operated by Bennett’s Travel. The timetable has yet to be confirmed and details will be added to our website once available. Trentham Lakes to Hanley will be operated by a new D&G Bus service 24/24A.

From 12 April

• Service 9 (Chaserider, Stafford – Highfields) will be cancelled and replaced by a Select Bus service 9 with a revised route and timetable, operating every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday,
• Service 12 (Select Bus, Stafford – Doxey) will have a revised timetable.
• Service 75 (Chaserider) will be cancelled and replaced by the new Select Bus services 875, operating an hourly service Monday to Saturday between Stafford, Penkridge and Cannock.
• New service 875A, to be operated by Select Bus, will operate Monday to Saturday between Stafford and Rickerscote. Merrivale Road and St Peter’s Garden will be served (to partly replace services 6 and 75).
• A seasonal X41 service will commence between Stafford, Uttoxeter and Alton Towers, operated by D&G Bus. This will operate one return journey only when Alton Tower is open to the public.

From 22 April – Stafford town centre roadworks

• Cope Street and South Walls will fully re-open, and bus services will revert to their usual route via South Walls.

                                                                                Message Sent By

                                                                                Emma Fry (Police, PCSO, Stafford)

Let’s Beat Loneliness Together

Loneliness can affect anyone at any point in their lives and can have an impact on our health, wellbeing, productivity and self-esteem. In Staffordshire, there has been an increase in people reporting feeling concerned about not seeing wider family and friends and the effects of loneliness and isolation, since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Although the issue of loneliness has certainly been highlighted over the past year, it will continue to be an issue for many beyond the restrictions.

If you or someone you know is feeling lonely, there are some small steps you can take to help beat loneliness. 

Beating loneliness

Tip #1: Just acknowledging that fact to your friends, family, GP or health professional can start to take the weight off the feeling. This could be face-to-face, a call, text, email or letter – however you feel most comfortable communicating.

Tip #2: Becoming a volunteer can provide so many opportunities – you’ll learn new skills, meet new people, build your confidence and self-esteem and ultimately be helping those in need. Search for opportunities on the Do It Staffordshire website.

Tip #3: Try connecting with someone you haven’t spoken to for a while or someone you’ve lost touch with. A phone call, FaceTime or letter can really help to brighten your day. It might then become a more regular catch up and something to look forward to.

Tip #4: There are lots of positive online communities, where you can make new friends, get inspired and chat about things you care about. You could try searching for groups involved in causes, music, games, hobbies or TV shows you are passionate about.

Tip #5: Online courses can be a great way to meet people, learn new skills and develop interests – all in the comfort of your own home. Staffordshire Community Learning offers a wide range of courses to suit everyone – from arts and crafts, languages and creative writing to belly dancing and computing. Find out more about Staffordshire Community Learning.

For more tips you can visit the Doing Our Bit website.

Organisations in your local area

Across Staffordshire there are many organisations that offer services to help you to deal with loneliness from telephone befriending, interest and hobby groups, online social events, online courses and much more. You can visit the Staffordshire Connects website to search for an organisation that’s right for you or take a look at the Doing Our Bit website for some organisations that we have handpicked for you.

Other resources

• What is loneliness?
• What impact does loneliness have?
• How can I help somebody that is lonely?

Able Community Care is a Norfolk home care company which was established in 1980 and now provides care 24/7 throughout the UK and beyond.

We continually read news/articles flagging up the activities of Doorstep Criminals: fraudulent roofers, gardeners, service officials and other non-genuine visitors who target older people. Over the years we have also had first-hand evidence from our own clients and carers.

As a company we have decided to see if we can help prevent this on a small scale and so we have had the Door Safety Sticker (attached) to give away to older people. To date we have sent out 60,000 upon request, since February 2019.

If you think you may like to have one, please either ring on 01603 764567 or email to info@ablecommunitycare.com.

Your details will not be keep other than to send out the door sticker.

Best wishes

Angela Gifford CEO.

www.ablecommunitycare.com

National No smoking day

Wednesday 10th March 2021

WANT TO QUIT SMOKING AND WOULD LIKE SOME SUPPORT?

Everyone Health can help you with FREE weekly telephone support and FREE medication sent through the post. If you are thinking it is time for you to stop smoking, there is not a better time to give up smoking for good!

Our 12 week Stop Smoking Programme is for tobacco smokers, aged 40+ and living in Staffordshire.

Here is what Joan, 63 has recently said about the service:

‘I had smoked for 42 years, I wanted to quit because of my health and for my family, I have now been smoke free for 12 weeks and I feel a lot better in myself! I am able to breath easier and I have a lot more energy, which enables me to do my daily exercises which I really enjoy. Also, I’ve saved over £300 since being smoke free and I have treated myself. I found the Everyone Health service brilliant, really helped me a lot providing regular contact and support as well as mediation. I am really happy that I am now a non-smoker!’

Our service includes FREE weekly telephone support with a dedicated stop smoking advisor, as well as a tailored programme of FREE nicotine replacement products or Champix.

To find out more about the service or book you an appointment call 0333 005 0095 or text QUIT to 60777 and a member of the team will call you back.

Monday 12 April 2021

Residents urged to help businesses as restrictions ease

Staffordshire people are being asked to take extra care and enjoy the further easing of lockdown restrictions safely from today (Monday 12 April).

More businesses are now able to open including non-essential retail, hairdressers, and gyms along with pubs and other hospitality venues operating an outdoor table service only. Libraries and community centres will also be able to reopen.

Dr. Richard Harling, Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“It’s great that many businesses across Staffordshire can now reopen after what has been an extremely tough and uncertain time for them. I’m urging residents to do everything they can to minimise the spread of coronavirus and avoid restrictions being imposed again.

“The best way to do this is by continuing to follow the rules and making sure you’re getting tested regularly, at least twice a week. Take extra care and remember Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air when visiting shops or meeting people you do not live with in beer gardens and other legally permitted settings.

“Getting tested twice a week is now easier than ever, with plenty of options at our community testing sites or with home testing kits.”

Easing of restrictions also means that all childcare and supervised activities are now allowed indoors and care home residents can nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits.

Some small outdoor events can take place, and up to 15 guests will be allowed to attend weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and other commemorative events in eligible indoor venues. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 guests outdoors, but this does not include private gardens.

A full summary of the rule changes can be found on the Government’s website.

Richard added:

“Staffordshire residents have played their part tremendously throughout the pandemic and particularly during the last few months. It’s crucial that we don’t give up now and stick to the guidance to ensure the Government’s ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown can continue as planned.”