OPEN
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF SAXMUNDHAM
TOWN
COUNCIL
Sunday
29th March 2020
Dear
Saxmundham Residents,
The
current Corona virus (COVID 19) – local support scheme: IP17GNS
Good Neighbours Scheme, covering Saxmundham & Kelsale-cum-Carlton
We
have had to close the Town Council's Office and the Market Hall
due to the Covid 19 crisis, however Saxmundham Town Council is determined
to support the local community at this difficult time. Please follow
the Government website for requirements and guidance around social
distancing and staying at home. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
This
weekend, community volunteers have been out across town, delivering
leaflets to every home in Saxmundham. The leaflet provides details
of how to make contact if you need help in this emergency and have
no family or friend nearby who you can ask.
If
you do need help, e.g. because you are running low on food, or need
a prescription collecting, or need other necessary support, you
can contact us:
FOR
HELP
Phone
0333 335 5266 (from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or text to 07835 064587
Email:
help@ip17gns.com
TO
VOLUNTEER
If
you would like to volunteer to work for the Scheme, please use the
following:
Phone
0333 335 5245 (from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or text to 07849 139510
You
can find materials and information in particular at the new website IP17GNS.com
This
initiative is based on cooperation between several local bodies,
including the new local charity, IP17GNS (Good Neighbour Scheme),
working with Saxmundham Town Council, the Church of England, Sax'cess
House, Saxmundham & District CIC (SADCIC), and the Suffolk Good
Neighbours Scheme. We are also working with Leiston and District
Citizens Advice Bureau, and the local Foodbank to ensure that vulnerable
residents can access the help they need.
The
Town Council has engaged the services of Bryony Peall to act as
coordinator for the support scheme, working in close cooperation
with other partners. The website is managed by Olly Hill.
We
would like to thank warmly all those who have already acted as,
and agreed to be, volunteers - not least the leaflet delivery team
who did a huge job!
The
management of the scheme is being coordinated by Saxmundham Town
Councillors Diana Eastman and James Sandbach , and Kelsale-cum-Carlton Parish Councillor Tim
Roberts .
County
Council phone service
In
addition, Suffolk County Council have set up a county-wide contact
help line, for those most in need during the Coronavirus pandemic,
or for families or friends to call on behalf of those who need help
and support. This phoneline can be used to seek information
on support for those with care needs, loneliness and to connect
with volunteers in your neighbourhood . The freephone number
is 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Please
look after yourselves as best you can. Many of you are in “self-isolation”,
and others are working for our common good, whether as workers or
volunteers. On behalf of our Town Council, we thank you most sincerely.
Cllr
Jeremy Smith Chairman, Saxmundham Town Council,
Cllr
Diana Eastman
Cllr
James Sandbach |
