Hello again,
Well, what a difference a couple of weeks make! In the last edition we advised that we had postponed the AGM – primarily because we couldn’t sort out a suitable location, but also because we thought the virus may have developed into becoming a risk to mass meetings. Of course, we had no idea (along with almost everyone else) how quickly the situation would deteriorate. But as the old saying goes…. we are where we are.
So, this edition is a little different. We thought it useful (and hope you do, too) to publicise/signpost details of support available locally to those who need help as a result of self-isolation. A number of on-line community groups have quickly sprung up offering help with shopping etc. In addition, local organisations are putting in place their own support plans. We asked one of the Forum’s strongest supporters, Toton Churches, to let us know their response to the current situation – see their reply below. So, if you happen to be in one of the groups who need to self-isolate and are finding it difficult to get supplies etc., please make use of the help available – it really isn’t far away.
1. Links to some on-line support….
- Social media groups (Facebook and WhatsApp especially) have quickly been set-up and are full of people offering to help with shopping, fetching prescriptions etc. If you use Facebook:
- Beeston Chilwell Area Mutual Aid Group already have over 2,500 members.
- Toton Support Group only established last Monday and already have almost 500 members. You will need to join this group to see/share information.
- Stapleford & Surrounding Areas Mutual Aid Group have over 700 members.
- Virus update sites. To find the latest national and local information and advice try one/more of these:
- NHS Coronavirus page
- Broxtowe Borough Council Coronavirus page. If you’d like to receive regular updates from the Council here’s a link to their latest newsletter – you can click on the link at the bottom to sign up to the service
- Nottinghamshire County Council page
- Darren Henry MP site – Coronavirus page
- Commercial information:
- Tesco Extra (Swiney Way) is setting aside 1 hour between 9 and 10am each Mon, Weds and Friday reserved for elderly/vulnerable groups. Here’s a link to the text of an email I received from Tesco that explains what they are doing.
- Trent Barton have revised their timetables including Indigo and Skylink. Here’s a link to the full details
2. Toton Churches – Doing Church Differently
- With the cancellation of all church services and events, Toton Churches is playing its part in supporting the Toton Community: serving others where we can, offering opportunities to worship at home and praying for all affected by the pandemic.
- Our members will be joining others in offering support to neighbours, especially the elderly, the vulnerable and those households in isolation.
- We know that some may wish to take part in worship, even if they do not usually attend church. Toton Churches’ website and Facebook page will offer materials to help people worship at home together with links to on-line and broadcast opportunities. Search for ‘Toton Churches’ on Facebook or visit www.totonchurches.org
- We also know some people may feel the need for prayer, whether or not they would normally. Toton Churches is undertaking to pray for any people or situation brought to their attention. If you might find this helpful, e-mail prayer.request@totonchurches.org
3. And finally, some other news….
- The Neighbourhood Plan is done. The finishing touches have been made and we will submit it to the Council early next week. This will be a ‘soft’ submission to give them a chance to spot and warn us of any showstoppers that will slow down progress over the next stages. We now expect to formally submit the Plan at the end of April. I know, I know.. this is a month’s delay to my anticipated end-of-March ‘deadline’ but it all helps to strengthen the final product.
- The Basic Conditions Statement is drafted and is now out for review by the Steering Group. This should be signed-off by the end of next week.
- The Consultation Statement is the other document we need to produce – we will start drafting this early next week and hope to complete in a couple of weeks.
- Broxtowe Lotto. A quick update from last time. I’m very pleased to report that 3 of our supporters were winners last week! Mr. N won a £250 cash prize whilst both Mrs. P and Mr. S won 3 extra tickets. Congratulations to all 3. As the old saying goes “you’ve gotta be in it to win it!”
The Facebook links posted above are quickly growing their memberships, but they are not the only community groups in place. Several street-centred WhatsApp groups have also been set up so there is almost certainly one near you organised by neighbours. If any organiser of these groups wants to send me details of anything in our neighbourhood, I’ll be glad to signpost people to them next week.
These are indeed the most unusual times – I was going to say ‘unprecedented’, but I’m tired of hearing that word at the moment. However, it is wonderful to see the care demonstrated by our neighbours in quickly rallying around to offer help to the elderly, vulnerable and less fortunate. It’s something to applaud and build on once we get back to something close to normal life.
In the meantime, keep safe!
Kind regards
Graham
Broxtowe Lotto: tickets available from our CTTC Forum page where you’ll also find details of the scheme