Coronavirus- Branch Knowledge and Best Practice Hub

We are aware that there are many local Branches with initiatives and advice to support its Members during the Coronavirus emergency

The purpose of this Hub is so Branches can let us know what they are doing to support Members, initiatives and ideas which other Branches can exchange and adopt.

If you wish to contribute to this Hub, please email depceo@narpo.org 

Here is the information we have received from local Branches. If you have any queries, please contact the local Branch directly. Their contact details are on our website https://www.narpo.org/discover/contact-us/

If you are a vulnerable Member of a local Branch, but reside in another area, you can contact the local Branch for your area to see if they can assist.

To access the Government website and further information, please use the following link-

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

To assist with accessing relevant information and providing support to Members, here are a few tips from HQ-

Online community groups

There are many online community groups for individual localities already on Facebook/Twitter, both at a town/city level and on a smaller village level, as well as those that are springing up which are dedicated to support during this public health crisis. Please consider liking (or joining if the group is private) as many of these as you can find for your branch location if you are on social media.  They can serve as an excellent resource for what help is available locally from individuals and businesses.

You might also find this spreadsheet useful which has been put together at a national level and has links to many of the dedicated Covid-19 Facebook support groups across the country. Click here to view the spreadsheet.

For example, ‘Calling all Sewers’  which is an initiative to support Hospitals, care homes etc which need scrubs and scrub bags.

Many local groups are being set up to organise sewers, issuing patterns and often fabric kits, and the main Facebook is ‘For The Love Of Scrubs’. Within this page you should be able to find your local hospital and their coordinator.

If you search ‘Covid Cooperation’ on Facebook it will take you to a local ‘Scrubbers Group’.

It will take a little research to find you own local group, but help is desperately needed.

If you feel you can help, please do this is a very practical way of helping our NHS and it will also keep you occupied and pass the time away.

 

Another good local online resource is the ‘in your area’ website – https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/

 

Local Council websites and social media pages

Keep an eye on these to see what might be happening in terms of the local council services that members may need to access during this time.

 

Police Mutual

With Coronavirus continuing to dominate news and social media, we understand there are many concerns and much uncertainty about the virus, it’s real and potential impacts. It’s a worrying time for many people especially those with elderly family members, an underlying health condition or those still continuing to serve the public.

Please see the Police Mutual COVID-19 Factsheet

Mental Health and Wellbeing

For help and support, please use the following links-

Looking after you own mental health: https://www.policemutual.co.uk/assets/activity/coronavirus/looking-after-your-own-mental-health/

Supporting others: https://www.policemutual.co.uk/assets/activity/coronavirus/mental-health-supporting-others/

Supporting children: https://www.policemutual.co.uk/assets/activity/coronavirus/mental-health-supporting-children/

 

Post Office

Please see the following for further information-

Post Office makes access to cash products available faster to help self-isolating individuals during coronavirus pandemic

GOV.UK

As most of you will know the GOV.UK site provides all the up to date official advice on all aspects of the pandemic. They have also just launched a Coronavirus information service on WhatsApp.

To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.

A set of menu options is then presented which the user can choose from and then be sent relevant guidance from GOV.UK pages as well as links to GOV.UK for further information.

 

Please see the following we have received from Branches-

 

Bedfordshire

They have two groups of support-

• Some of our weekly coffee group consisting of 90+ members, we have circulated contact details and members can contact anyone if they need a chat or help.
• On the back of that we have asked for the younger members to volunteer to go out if needed and shop get medicines for lockdown members.
• We are promoting the two apps

Zoom, this is an app by which you can do video conference type talks.

Houseparty, again a conference type app but games can be played

• The Secretary is making one to one calls to any member who has been infected and making sure that they have support.

 

Cheshire

Crewe

The Branch Committee is actively contacting Members In the Over 70’s age range.  They operate a ‘Traffic Light’ system whereby the over 90’s are in the RED Zone, Over 80’s are in the AMBER Zone, and the over 70’s are in the GREEN Zone.

The Branch Committee Members are in contact with those members making one to one calls, to ascertain their wellbeing, and to ensure they are able to get shopping and medications if needed.  If any are in need of transport for hospital appointments etc. they do their best to assist.

During the one to one calls, members are being advised of the Government Emergency Food Packages and also the local People Helping People support helpline.  It is also an ideal opportunity to update contact telephone numbers of next of kin which is then uploaded to Supersleuth.

In regard to Widow Members, the Branch has always operated a Widow Liaison System.  Widow members are contacted or even visited by an appointed liaison officer, who then reports back to the Branch Secretary.

The Branch also has a very good Facebook Group that posts local and government advice relative to the current situation.  Members with any concerns can message the Secretary via email, Messenger or WhatsApp.

The Branch has a fully qualified Welfare Officer who specialises in Safeguarding, Counselling, and Welfare Rights and any Members who she identifies as vulnerable, are being advised regarding self isolation, and registration as a vulnerable person on the Local Authority register

 

Cleveland

They have set up a separate Facebook group page Cleveland NARPO covid 19 support group which is open to all of those that can offer support to other members who may be self isolating,

This support page can be accessed using the following link-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/574454343414938/?source_id=322644121963302

The Branch has also had contact from force well-being dept offering support if necessary. It is currently in discussion with local Federation for use of their welfare van perhaps couple of times a week for one of our volunteers to use to help with emergency food supplies or prescriptions to members . The Federation will use it for housebound officers. It will be a joint enterprise which is still in the planning phase and await the Federation and Force decision.

Cumbria

Cumbria NARPO has formed a support group in order to assist, when necessary, those who are particularly vulnerable in the County. Its list of CV19 volunteers continues to grow and now stands in excess of 60 and covers the whole of the County.

This is a message from the Branch Secretary-

It is lovely to see the ‘younger retired’ volunteering helping out the ‘older retired’ who are watching out for the ‘even older retired’ during these challenging times. Whilst we hope and trust many people will be relying specifically on their families, close friends, and neighbours for support with shopping and medication, elements of the team have so far conducted a small number of successful missions to widows living alone in the 80-95 age bracket. So far, this is the age group which seems most likely to need help.

Please remember, you might be self-isolating, vulnerable, and unable to travel and do an urgent medication run or food supply for a retired colleague, but you might have widespread contacts that can be harnessed to do the job and are useful to the group. If you know of an elderly or vulnerable person near you that may require assistance in the near future, please consider searching Facebook and your local council websites for a Coronavirus support group operating near you. There are dozens operating throughout the county all looking after their own communities.

Our list of volunteers is jointly held by Kathleen Rowley, David Drinkald and Tony Scougal who are positioned to ‘trigger’ assistance to our membership should a requirement emerge in the days ahead.

Please contact any of the above if you are in a position to help in any way.

Official government advice with regards to the various problems and challenges society faces should be followed and can be found at the following website.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Derbyshire

The Branch has sent messages to its Members-

Keep safe, wash your hands and don’t forget to keep in touch by phone, email, website and Facebook. Please contact the Branch if you are in need, or if you know a colleague who is likely to be in need but may be too proud to ask. Additionally, if you think you might be able to assist by supporting other elderly and vulnerable NARPO members, I would appreciate if you could make yourself known and contact the Secretary at Derbyshire@narpo.org and we will endeavour to help and assist.

 

Devon and Cornwall

Cornwall

The Branch has circulated members with details of retailers and sole traders who will deliver goods to the door.
All members contact records are being scrutinised to ensure they can contact everyone.

 

South Devon

Branch Officers are in the process of contacting all widows in the first instance to establish their degree of vulnerability and put them in touch with the Help Hubs as they develop. They have also asked for Branch Members to volunteer to make occasional contact with other members to offer them telephone support. Essentially it is a ‘Buddy’ scheme.

Branch membership has been sorted into age order and they will start with the eldest ( who are possibly the more vulnerable) and work downwards.

As Branch Members are at or approaching the vulnerable 70 plus mark , they will be confining activities to supporting others with a chat on the telephone and pointing them in the direction of local authority approved volunteer hubs as they develop.

 

Essex

Chelmsford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colchester & N.E.Essex Branch

The Branch has issued a newsletter to all members.
 In this newsletter  members were encouraged to contact the Secretary if they wished to log their current poor health situation.
 Following on from this and with the rapid spread of the virus, all members with email accounts were then mailed with the invitation to contact the Secretary in the event of falling ill.
 To maintain some semblance of normality in the day to day running of the branch, telephone conferencing has been introduced as it removes the need of members having a camera facility for Skype/Zoom
 Branch officials have committed to arranging help for members should the need arise and this has been further enhanced by enrolment to Facebook page Ex-Job Community Volunteers.

 To join, search Ex-Job Community Volunteers and then use the link to apply to join as this is a Private Group.
Ex-Job Volunteers is an extension of Ex-Job.co.uk founded by retired Essex officer Paul Maleary and now covers the entire area of England in ‘regions’.

 

Gloucestershire

The Branch has put together a group of some 50 volunteers, some serving, some retired, who will respond to calls for help where there is no family/friend support.

This is for ANY member of the Police family, not just NARPO members…. be they former or serving Officer/Special/PCSO/Police Staff.

The Branch Secretary and two others act as coordinators, plus they have one member who is admin coordinator.

They have circulated these people’s phone numbers to Members via email & website.  They have found a way to ID those without an email address and will start ringing them.

The Branch doesn’t  have a Branch Facebook account but can access  one that has been set up by some retired officers and it is really useful. There are some 1,000 members of that group with whom the Branch can send messages of  how NARPO can help.

 

Gwent

The Branch holds a weekly online ‘Virtual Coffee Morning’ allowing former colleagues to drop in and catch up with each other.

The Branch is also taking time to update its membership database, as without face to face contact it now heavily relies on digital communications.

 

Gwynedd

The Branch Secretary is also a member of the Anglesey Older People’s Council and has access to advice from Age Concern Wales . This information is circulated to to Members of  the Gwynedd Facebook group.

 

Hampshire

Southampton

Branch has emailed its whole membership with appropriate info, (via SuperSleuth)  and has its own website.  On the Branch page there is an “official advice links”   https://hampshirenarpo.org/southampton-branch

 

Hertfordshire

The Branch has circulated messages via e mail and the Branch website to its members offering support, if required. The Welfare Officer will be monitoring requests for assistance/support and responding appropriately

 

Humberside

The Branch has identified its over 70’s through SuperSleuth and requested volunteers for a ring round system in their particular area to make sure older and vulnerable members are contacted.

The Branch Secretary will write to those who they do not have a phone number.

The Branch has received a number of volunteers and they will be sent a list of members and their phone numbers to contact and ascertain a number of things like availability of family, support, contacts, access to supplies and ability to get those and simply leaving a phone number for a chat.

The Branch  appreciates some will say “we are fine thanks” and they will be just left a contact number and asked for any new contact details. Those ring round results will be reported back to the Branch Secretary in case people weren’t contacted.

 

Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire has collated two lists of volunteers, those helping with food deliveries / medicines etc and those who are willing to support the Force and Voluntary Organisations within Northamptonshire. This has been well received by members and indeed Northamptonshire Police. 90 colleagues are listed to date, some of whom are already assisting in the Local Resilience Forum and helping to distribute aid where it is needed.

 

North Yorkshire

Scarborough

The Branch sends a letter either by email or post to all its members outlining what they can do to seek assistance and advice should they require any.

The Branch has also requested for volunteers to be available if required to collect food, prescriptions etc and to contact by  phone over 50 of  its members who are either widow members, suffering ill health or elderly so that they have some personal contact with the branch.

The Branch has had several offers of help and are now in the process of contacting the members on their list.

 

South Yorkshire

Sheffield

The branch has sent a “paper” newsletter to each and every member with the assistance of NARPO HQ. The newsletter gave details of ways to contact the Branch Secretary, who is acting as the central co-ordination point for volunteers and those needing help.

Online help is being co-ordinated through the Branch Facebook page, which is also being used to keep spirits up by posting lots of old photos getting members to reminisce and tell funny stories from years gone by.

The Branch Secretary has been helping those less technically savvy to set up tablets and laptops and to get Facebook accounts and join the Branch page.

The Branch fortnightly email newsletter is continuing to be published. This goes to nearly 70% of the branch membership. It reiterates advice and notices from the Branch and NARPO HQ as well as being used as a platform to circulate the latest advice from HM Government.

 

South Wales

Swansea

The committee is able to communicate via e mail and telephone. They have circulated members who are computer literate via their website and Facebook page the fact that they are available either by phone or e mail for help if it is needed, and also asked them to report if they are aware of any non-computer literate members needing assistance.

 

Sussex

Hastings and Rother

Hastings and Rother District Branch is keeping in touch with  all members, especially widows and vulnerable members, with regular telephone calls, on – line Branch Magazine and via email, including those members who live abroad.

Members know that the Branch cannot visit, due to the current restrictions but they know who to contact if needed.

 

Suffolk 

The Branch has adopted an incremental response.

• In response to a member suggesting that the police service might wish at some  stage for volunteers, responses were invited.  17 volunteered, details sent to Silver Commander
• Branch website forum page opened to record comments, actions, etc.
• Government/Health advice reiterated on forum
• Branch Newsletter circulated electronically to 1063 members, hard copy posted to  remaining 150 members notifying postponement of social events, welfare  arrangements, meetings (Branch  and AGM to conducted  electronically), communication arrangements.
• Reinforcement of Government/Health advice.  Commencement of ring-round to  360 people over 74 years of age managed by Area Welfare Coordinators through  teams of volunteers.  Members residing out of the Branch area also contacted.  Responses highlighted gratitude for the call, some instances of loneliness.  Intention to repeat the process at 10 – 14 day intervals.  Volunteers advised of risks and need to contact Social Care Services or other appropriate organisation should the need  arise (details of the contact points of all external bodies are carried on the Branch website).
• As a result of contact with Suffolk Community Advisory Service details circulated of  ‘Tribe Volunteer’, the scheme to support people in need across the County.  NARPO  efforts registered as a volunteer organisation within the scheme.
• Minutes of (electronic) Branch meeting of that date posted on Branch website to  assist information and communication to members
• Exchanges of comments of gratitude on website forum.
• Alerts and advice issued to members to guard against scamming.  Safeguarding  advice issued.
• Specific attention given to health/welfare of Branch Committee members.
• Branch Committee agreed that during the period when physical NARPO  representation at funerals cannot occur, the Branch would increase the amount to £60 to a charity nominated by the next of kin (thus benefiting the family and    charities currently experiencing financial loss).

 

Thames Valley

Oxfordshire

• Send out regular emails ‘NARPO Updates’ – with news, stories and ‘up-beat’ photos;
• Email specifically setting up ‘a mutual aid’ group willing to safely assist others, followed by a message advising Members there was assistance available and to contact Secretary/Committee Member should they be isolating/confined to barracks. Offering services ‘from a friendly phone call to shopping done (less uptake on this, but trickling in)
• Committee Members networking across their Geographic areas and peer groups. (Manager of ‘ready meal’ supplier – helping Members direct)
• Extra Newsletter will be sent out to inform those not on ‘IT’ and phone calls carried out by Welfare Officers
• Reduced the death notifications to Monthly circulation. Local website kept updated

Keeping in contact with folks and trying to keep positive messages – Members have been asked to send in stories and photos to share. Also encouraged folks to make contact to ‘re-connect’ with former colleagues/old friends were contact has been ‘lost’.

The Branch has also sent out this Newsletter

 

West Yorkshire

Keighley Branch

The Branch, as a group, is offering  mutual-aid  to those who need it most e.g  to simply assist with shopping.
They are planning to offer help to those who are self-isolating, be it through the advice given by the Govt/NHS advice

To these ends the Branch is identifying  2 groups:

GROUP A

1. Those over 70yrs of age.
2. Those already in self-isolation or preparing to go into self-isolation.
3. Those who are vulnerable with pre-existing conditions AND those who live with people in this category.
4. Have no other means of this support from family/friends.

GROUP B

1. Those under 70yrs of age and ***HEALTHY*** at this stage.
2. Willing to assist with our members in their home locality.
3. Have their own transport and willing to use it at your own expense.

*** Both groups need to live in the Keighley & district area***

The Branch’s initial thoughts are to assist GROUP A by doing their shopping – that’s all that is required at this stage – nothing difficult other than time-consuming.

They have identified a co-coordinator who  will co-ordinate this and identify where the support is needed and which member of GROUP B will provide that support and link both groups together.

So, in order to get this quickly working the co-coordinator needs to initially create a list of those in GROUP B and to those ends needs to know the following:
 Name
 Address/area willing to cover
 Contact details (Mobile/e-mail)

Those in GROUP A have been invited to send their contact details to the co-ordinator whilst this proposal gets put into action.

 

Leeds Branch

Leeds has a group of 15 volunteers directed by a coordinator to assist vulnerable members with shopping and pharmacy needs.

This group was initially set up to provide support to isolated and lonely members but is now focusing its efforts on Coronavirus isolation of vulnerable members both old and young.

The network of volunteers covers a large area with members available across West, North & East Yorkshire.

The Branch has set up a facilitated message sharing service between branch members who have lost contact with folk, which has been received very well and received If  someone sends the Branch Secretary an email to contact specific individual, if they are a member, it will be forwarded .If the Secretary receive san email asking them to be mentioned to members of the branch, it is circulated by bulk email to members.

Leeds has also sent out the following messaging-

We Need to Look Out For Each Other. If you know someone in need or difficulty, please contact us so we can arrange help.

CORONAVIRUS
Symptoms of Coronavirus – Cough; a High Temperature & Tiredness; Shortness of Breath; Muscle Pain
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness, as these symptoms are quite similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
How Coronavirus Is Spread – Because it’s a New Illness, it is Not Known Exactly How Coronavirus Spreads from Person to Person; Similar Viruses are Spread in Cough Droplets.

How To Avoid Catching or Spreading Coronavirus
 Wash your Hands with Soap and Water for about 20 seconds Regularly
 Always Wash your Hands When You Get Home or Into Work
 Use Hand Sanitizer or Gel IF Soap and Water are NOT Available
 Cover your Mouth & Nose with a Tissue or your Sleeve (NOT your hands) when you Cough or Sneeze
 PUT USED TISSUES in the Bin Straight Away and Wash your Hands Afterwards
 Try to Avoid Close Contact with People who are Unwell
 Over 70’s to avoid social contact

DO NOT – Touch your Eyes, Nose or Mouth If your Hands are Not Clean

Check If You Need Medical Help – NHS 111 has an Online Coronavirus Service that can Tell You If You Need Medical Help & Advise you What to Do. Use this if you think you might have coronavirus

STAYING AT HOME ADVICE
 Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms
 Stay at home if you have either:
a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing
repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

How Long to Stay at Home?
If you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
 if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
 If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
 If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

Tips for Staying at Home
It’s important to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading.
Do
 try to keep at least 2 metres (3 steps) from other people in your home, particularly people over 70, or those with long-term health conditions
 ask friends, family and delivery services to deliver things like food shopping and medicines but leave them outside
 sleep alone, if possible
 regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
 drink plenty of water and take paracetamol to help with your symptoms
Don’t
 do not have visitors (ask people to leave deliveries outside)
 do not leave your home, for example to go for a walk, to school or to public places

Please follow this advice, Stay Safe and Look After Yourself and Look Out for Others.

 

West Midlands

Dudley and District

Dudley branch has called all members over the age of 80 initially, where dates of birth and phone numbers have been recorded. Support and reassurance have been provided with a reminder of who to call. This will be repeated with the intention of calling a wider age range.

A Coronavirus Newsletter has been sent to members to provide advice and to remind members to update their details such as phone numbers and email addresses so contact can be made. A list of contact email addresses for the Committee were included along with a phone number for those who don’t use the internet.

Dudley and District NARPO Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram continue to provide support and information to members. Warnings and advice are being provided on these platforms by both the Committee and members. The Ladies Group WhatsApp is also very active within our membership.