- Chineham Medical Practice
- Probus Club Report
- Rotary Roundup
- Basingstoke Voluntary Action – Members Update
- Old Basing u3a
- Co-Operative
- Basingstoke & District Disability Forum
- Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust
- Crime Prevention Bulletin
Chineham Medical Practice
Update from Chineham Medical Practice January 2021
As many of you will know, the local Covid 19 vaccination centre is based at the Hampshire Court Hotel, RG24 8FY and is in collaboration with all practices in North Hampshire. This arrangement was decided as the Government required the service to run at Primary Care Network population scale and it minimises disruption of normal general practice services.
The capacity at the Hampshire Court Hotel is increasing to match increased availability of vaccination supplies and we are ready to increase the number of people vaccinated as soon as we have it. We are following the priority guidelines established by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Their priority list is as follows:
- Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- All those 75 years of age and over
- All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- All those 65 years of age and over
- All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- All those 60 years of age and over
- All those 55 years of age and over
- All those 50 years of age and over
We appreciate the concern and frustration people feel when they know there is a vaccine and they can’t get access to it. Please be reassured that as soon as we have stock we will be contacting eligible patients directly in order of priority to organise these appointments. Although we are unable to be specific about when individual groups will be receiving their vaccination as this is entirely dependent on national availability of stock which is not controlled locally, people will receive the vaccination.
In the meantime you do not need to contact the practice to request a vaccine. Please keep safe and follow the government guidelines.
Probus Club Report
Probus Hears About Adventures in a Motorhome
In the years leading up to retirement, Probus Club member Dr Jeff Grover and his partner, Mary, had travelled the four corners of the globe and post retirement had intended to continue their adventures.
By 23 March 2020 they had planned to jet off to Las Vegas to hit the tables, ride in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and horse ride on a nearby ranch before moving across to LA for a relaxing Mexican cruise.
Then the ‘big C’ put an abrupt stop to these ambitions – no, not cancer, but Covid -19. Lockdowns, isolation, on-line shopping, bubbles and Zoom all entered our vocabulary but underpinning all this was ‘Where can we go on holiday?’
Jeff explains that they had often thought about buying a motorhome but now this had become a genuine option and bought a thirteen year old 2-berth motorhome, with only 16,000 miles on the clock, which fulfilled all our requirements. We had several test runs to the New Forest and south coast each time improving our experiences with this new way of holidaying.
This was all in preparation for the BIG ONE. Two weeks in Scotland negotiating the North Coast 500 during September 2020. This is 500 miles, driving, in our case, anticlockwise from Inverness up the east coast to John O’Groats, turning left towards Durness, and returning to Inverness down the spectacular setting of the west coast of Scotland.
The other important difference from our southerly sojourns was the introduction of wild camping which is legal in Scotland. Simply put, this involved finding a suitable parking place, lay-by, or car park where we stayed for the night free gratis. Once darkness descends all traffic ceases and a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.
We motored northwards up the east coast until we finally arrived at John O’Groats where we parked up for the night. We had arrived! This motor-homing lark was becoming a doddle. However, there was a gale coming off the North Sea but our four wheels clung tenaciously to the tarmac. The following morning, we headed off to Dunnet Head – actually, the most northerly part of mainland UK before staying in a campsite by the beach in the metropolis of Thurso.
Continuing eastwards along the top of Scotland we negotiated the single-track roads with their often, hair-raising passing spaces along the way. We wild camped at every stop over, most memorably one overlooking a small bay, where when opening the bedroom curtains in the morning we were met with a mesmerising sea of tranquil beauty.
The scenery was stunning. Particularly surprising were the expansive but empty sandy beaches located in every bay. If it wasn’t for the weather the Scottish west coast could easily rival any Spanish Costa. The dramatic, moody, mountains (or munros), sheltered valleys coated in bracken and thistle with lochs surrounded by water sodden peat – all with virtually no sign of habitation, were magnificent.
Another highpoint (pun intended) was the route towards Applecross, which has the steepest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level at Applecross to 2,054 ft, and is the third highest road in Scotland. This put the motorhome and its driver (me) through their paces negotiating the hairpin bends and testing the efficiency of the brakes and strength of nerve of both occupants.
Walks, whisky tasting (of course), beaches and magnificent scenery were all highpoints of our motorhome adventure. We finished our Scottish adventure at Gretna Green where we spurned the anvil but enjoyed a delicious Scottish breakfast before crossing the border to go home. In total we travelled in excess of 2000 miles in 14 days without incident or trouble.
The secrets of motor homing are patience and tolerance. It takes a while to get used to living in such a confined space, whilst sharing the minutia of everyday life and leaving all inhibitions behind you.
Was the purchase of our motor home a good decision? The answer is yes definitely! Trips to France and Spain have already been mooted, although we could take off at any time to any part of the UK once Covid restrictions are lifted.
Having said this however, we have booked a flight to Argentina in December 2021!!!!
Rotary Roundup
Volunteering is good for your Mental Health
Volunteering opportunities
Our Rotary group has been volunteering at the Hampshire Court Hotel, marshalling patients and car parking for the vaccination programme. The Fire Station has also opened for vaccinations with its own volunteers. Basingstoke Voluntary Action is coordinating volunteering opportunities at both centres.
We are also helping Spotlight UK Basingstoke and Inspero with the delivery of food deliveries to vulnerable people in the borough.
The gift of time is something that costs very little and can bring unexpected rewards to the giver. At the moment it is the NHS and other Covid 19 needs that are providing opportunities to volunteer. All charities also need volunteers and you don’t have to make a huge commitment. Help for just one event or possibly for just a few hours. Giving your time may also be chatting to an elderly person; you may be the only person they speak to all day.
If you want to meet new people volunteering is a great way of doing it; rewarding and great fun.
As a club, until we can meet in person we’re meeting each week on Zoom. Zoom has given us the opportunity of some excellent speakers who join us from the comfort of their own home.
What is Rotary?
Rotary is about helping communities, both local and internationally through our network of clubs with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries. It is a non-religious and non-political organization comprised of both men and women who enjoy working together for good causes and also enjoy socialising together.
As Rotarians we do some fantastic work each year whist having fun and raising money which enables us to donate it to more than 20 local and a few international causes, including locally, Mencap Basingstoke, Besom and Helping Hands for the Blind and many more.
Rotaract in Basingstoke
Having fun while giving back!
Want to volunteer with a group of friends but weren’t sure where to start? Can you share your skills or some of your time to give back to others? Now is the perfect opportunity.
Rotaract is starting a pilot club for you to…
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- Make Friends. Network
- Make a Difference – Help Others
- Widen Horizons
- Support local good causes
- Develop as a Project Leader
- Link with Charities and with Business
Rotaract is a younger part of Rotary
Like Rotary, Rotaract is non-political, non-religious, inclusive, diverse and a catalyst for getting things done both locally and globally.
Interested? Aged in your 20s or 30s – then get in touch to join a small pilot group to exchange ideas and move this initiative forward. Exciting times ahead!
To find out more contact Chris Flemming (mob: 0794 2471526 or e-mail: Rotaract@bl-rotary.org)
Basingstoke Deane Rotary is a group of 35men & women from a wide variety of backgrounds. All live locally in the borough but some commute to work outside Basingstoke. Most joined Rotary to help others less fortunate, and they find Basingstoke Deane Rotary adds another extremely enjoyable dimension to their lives.
If you would like to find out more about how we enjoy ourselves, just tune in to www.rcbd.org.uk to see what we have coming up, or contact Helen or Paul to find out more . We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Facebook: @RotaryBasingstokeDeane
Twitter: @RBstokeDeane
Basingstoke Voluntary Action
Member’s Update – 12th February 2021
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Managing Your Organisation Guidance That Will Help You! NCVO are providing guidance and resources to support charities and voluntary organisations during covid-19. This includes information on working with staff, volunteering and safeguarding. Webinars are also being run to help those who need it! |
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Effective Use of Social Media Helping Non-for-profits! We are running a one-hour session on 18th February to look at the basics of marketing & how to best utilise your social media channels. This session is intended for those with an established understanding of social media who would like to learn the next steps. |
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Giving World Charity Free Supplies For you! Giving World are here to help charities access brand new life-essentials for free. They redirect business end-of-line, surplus and discontinued stock to the most deprived communities in the UK. They have a wide range of products available to support you so look now! |
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Community Lottery Update Three £250 Winners Already! Since the lottery began in November, we have seen upwards of 15-25 winners per week. The cash prizes are always a favourite among our ticket holders for obvious reasons & we are over the moon to be able to say that large amounts are beginning to be won! We have now had three £250 winners. |
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Holiday Activities & Food Programme Free Holiday Provision! The government announced that the holiday activities and food programme will be expanded across the whole of England in 2021. The programme has provided healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children since 2018. |
Old Basing u3a
LOCKDOWN CONTINUES
BUT SO DO WE!
Join as many of our groups as you want for only £15!
Website: www.basingstokeu3a.org
Still in Touch
Lockdown goes on and Basingstoke’s U3A is being even more creative – many of us finding IT skills we never knew we had! More and more groups are getting used to Zoom and Whatsapp meetings, and we’re beginning to use our new Facebook page to ‘talk’ to each other too. We keep in touch by email as well of course. Members are sending out quizzes, presentations and webinars for others to take part in, and like joining our groups, all this is included within the one membership. We’ve been exploring China and Big Ben from our living rooms, and learning Queen Victoria’s secrets!
Still Lots to Do
Not only are we becoming more creative, we’ve planned a new group (brush up your school-day French) – and if enough people are interested in beginners French, that will be started up too. Philosophy meetings have just been set as well. Nothing deters our Excursions/Holiday Group from planning for 2021 either – April’s trip to Croatia may yet have to be postponed, but their diary already has Whitby in October to look forward to.
Amongst lots of other things, our Environment Group will be looking at Mangroves in March; our Readers will be exchanging views on The Secret Garden; and our Science Group learning how to ‘Play their Cards Right’. Look for a fuller list on our Facebook page facebook.com/Basingstokeu3a If you fancy something more relaxing, our Needles and Pins, Patchwork and Arts & Crafts Groups are still sharing their work, with our Words and Music Group listening to a wide variety of recordings and presentations together.
Do check our website as well, for fuller details of some of these Groups, other activities you might like, and how to join us. Our new members have all said how friendly and welcoming everyone is, whether you’re a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in between!
Co-operative
Online tributes provide essential place to remember loved ones during 2020
With less people able to attend funerals in person in 2020, more donations than ever were made online in memory of loved ones in Hampshire, according to figures from a regional co-operative.
A total of £298,960 was gifted from 7,310 donations via a free online memorials feature offered by The Co-operative Funeralcare branches in Hampshire – part of Southern Co-op.
Despite only a slight rise in the number of funerals, this was an increase from £173,310 donated in 2019 from 4,071 donations.
The independent, regional co-operative believes the increase in donations is due to less people being able to attend funerals in person as well as more awareness of charities needing extra support.
Southern Co-op’s Hampshire branches of The Co-operative Funeralcare include Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Bedhampton, Bishops Waltham, Cosham, Cowplain, Emsworth, Fareham, Farnborough, Fleet, Gosport, Havant – Leigh Park, Hayling Island, Liss, Portsmouth – Copnor, Eastney, Fratton, North End, Paulsgrove, Rowner, Somerstown and Southsea, Waterlooville, Whitchurch and Widley.
Steve Pearce, Chief Operating Officer for funeral services at Southern Co-op, said: “Just under 300 charities received donations through our online memorial tributes. The majority of these will have been hit hard by the pandemic so the support is likely to be invaluable.
“Sadly, a lot of the families we supported last year were also affected by the pandemic. It’s difficult to describe the affect it has had on so many but our funeral co-ordinators have done everything they can to lighten people’s burdens and our bereavement care colleagues have been on hand to offer free counselling which has be vital.
“The fact that people are continuing to think of others, despite their own grief, is remarkable and shows the strength we have as communities working together in times of need.”
In Hampshire, people gave an average of £41 per donation via the online memorial feature which also allows friends and family to set up a personal tribute page, to light virtual candles, share memories, stories, photos and videos of loved ones.
The top five Hampshire charities which people donated the most to were Rowans Hospice which received £40,667; Portsmouth Hospitals Charity which received £6,766; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance which received £6,577; Countess of Brecknock Hospice which received £5,347; and St Michael’s Hospice which received £3,899.
Other Hampshire charities included The Rosemary Foundation, Broadlands RDA, Solent Mind, Naomi House & Jacksplace, and Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity.
Jonathan Davies, Chief Executive of MuchLoved, the bereavement charity that provides the online tribute platform, said: “2020 was an incredibly difficult year for everyone, not least those bereaved and the funeral industry working tirelessly to care for them.
“We are delighted that Southern Co-op branches were able to use the MuchLoved platform to help those families, and that so much has been raised for such worthy causes.
“Since the start of our partnership together, over £1 million has been raised for charitable causes, which is an incredible milestone to have achieved. We look forward to working together to continue this success in the future.
“Our charity was founded to support bereaved people and help them cope with their grief, and working with Southern Co-op means we can offer this support and care to more people at the most difficult of times.”
A total of £450,766 was donated by families across the south of England in 2020 via the free online service offered by Southern Co-op.
For more information about online tributes, visit www.funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations.
Local causes pushed to partner up with their local co-operative
Co-operative colleagues are on the hunt for local causes who want to fundraise with nearby stores in 2021.
Southern Co-op’s local food stores currently have 169 charity partners which range from scout groups and pre-schools to food banks and healthcare trusts.
With a lot of fundraising cancelled last year, these existing local partnerships will continue into 2021 but there are 33 stores which are still looking for a nearby cause to support.
The Co-operative Food stores appealing for a new partner are spread across Berkshire, Dorset, Devon, Hampshire, London, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, and Wiltshire.
Holly Bramble, Community and Campaign Co-ordinator at Southern Co-op, said: “We all know how devastating 2020 has been for charities and local causes as the majority of fundraising activities had to be cancelled or put on hold.
“In our stores, we made sure people could still make donations at the tills into the charity collection pots and our colleagues also held a number of smaller scale fundraisers such as ‘guess the number of sweets in the jar’ or colouring competitions.
“We are currently tallying up all the money raised and are also hopeful that more fundraising can go ahead later on this year to lift everyone’s spirits and give a boost to local organisations who do so much for our local communities.”
Every year, each convenience store part of Southern Co-op, partners with a special local cause chosen by colleagues.
This is part of its ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme which aims to create greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Stores looking for new charity partners in 2021 are:
| Berkshire | Binfield’s Oakmede Place, and Windsor’s Arthur Road. |
| Dorset | Bearwood’s King John Avenue, Bournemouth’s Castle Lane, and Verwood’s Ringwood Road. |
| Devon | Cranbrook’s Younghayes Road. |
| Hampshire | Bridgemary’s Gregson Avenue, Chandlers Ford’s Hursley Road, Colden Common’s St Vigor Way, Fareham’s Gudge Heath Lane (Hill Park), Havant’s Middle Park Way (Park Lane), Portsmouth’s Tangier Road, Portsmouth’s Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth’s Winter Road, Purbrook’s London Road, Romsey’s Botley Road, and Rooksdown’s Limes Park . |
| London and Surrey | Chislehurst’s White Horse Hill, Shirley’s Orchard Way, Addlestone’s Church Road, Reigate’s London Road, Staines’s Laleham Road, and West Ewell’s Ruxley Lane. |
| Somerset | Bridgwater’s Stockmoor Park, Burnham on Sea’s Berrow Road, and Yeovil’s Mudford Road. |
| Sussex | Angmering’s The Square, Bognor Regis’s Rose Green Road, Broadbridge Heath’s Wickhurst Square, Horsham’s Guildford Road, Selsey’s High Street, and St Leonards’s 290 Battle Road. |
| Wiltshire | Shrewton’s High Street. |
To find out more about Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/love-your-neighbourhood/.
Press
Direct Line: 02392 222995 | Mobile: 07519 128311
Email: Press@southerncoops.co.uk
Basingstoke & District Disability Forum
Basingstoke & District Disability Forum (BDDF) – your local disability charity wants to reach out to you and keep you connected if you do not have access to technology.
As with most charities and businesses, BBDF adapted quickly to the Covid pandemic in March 2020 by swiftly moving our services online and concentrating on fun and interactive activities. They are all free and enjoyed by our members who have the technology to access them.
Our Lockdown One Members’ survey reinforced that the ‘digital divide’ exists between ‘the younger generation’ and those of our members who are either ‘older’ and / or living with a disability. Fifty percent of respondents admit they lack confidence, and/ or don’t have access to internet / technology.
With 75% of our respondents citing the biggest challenges they faced during lockdown 1.0 were around psychological distress , mental health, social isolation and loneliness, it supports our concerns that confidence and access to digital equipment is leading to increased feelings of isolation and mental health issues.
What we can offer:
- If the barrier is around confidence / knowhow we can help you use your personal devices;
- Our newsletter can be posted out to you;
- A regular ‘care call’ to say hello and see how you are doing, with one of our volunteers;
- Disability signposting service, connecting you with what is out there to assist you with your queries;
- Our walking clubs for health and social interaction – as soon as they are permitted to resume;
- Family friendly Scarecrow Trail around Chineham and Sherfield Park on 24th/25th July;
- Face to face support groups / coffee mornings (again when allowed),
- Our weekly seated yoga class is currently online only, but will be back in person when possible.
Our activities are free and fully inclusive. If you want to know more about any of our work please call 01256 423869, it is a voicemail, leave your details (home address, name & telephone number) and we will contact you.
If you can receive emails, and want to know more – please email our friendly team on info@bddf.org.uk.
Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust
Wild Wetlands, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
‘Wetland’ can be a confusing term because the habitats it describes are so varied. A pond in your garden is a wetland, albeit a small one, but so is the vast floodplain of the Pantanal in South America for example. Wetland is a general term for any area that is at least partially submerged or flooded with water, either permanently or seasonally (which can feel like everywhere after we have had a lot of rain!). Ponds, lakes, marshes, mangroves and estuaries are all wetlands.
Wetland habitats are important in a number of ways. They provide a habitat for a huge range of wildlife including many threatened species, with an estimated 40% of the world’s wildlife living and breeding in wetlands. Locally, this could be water voles, kingfishers and otters, all making a comeback as we restore their wetland homes. These habitats also reduce flood risk and control other effects relating to climate change like stopping temperature fluctuation. Some wetlands – mud flats and peat bogs especially – are great at capturing carbon from the atmosphere. And if that wasn’t enough, they also help purify water by filtering out pollutants.
And of course, for many of us wetlands provide access to nature and wild spaces, boosting mental and physical wellbeing.
Despite all the many benefits they provide, wetland habitats are disappearing. Not only are they being drained and destroyed to make way for development, but humans are also using more freshwater than ever before. We use (and waste) far more than the planet can replenish, putting pressure on wetlands and adding to the effects already being felt due to climate change.
Luckily, the tide is starting to turn, with some of the biggest wetlands in Europe now being managed for conservation and wildlife. There is still a lot of work to be done, especially stopping the pollution of rivers and streams and stopping the colossal waste from leaky pipes and loos. Wetlands are a vital part of a connected and healthy landscape with thriving wildlife populations, the work to leave our wetlands in a better state than we found them must continue.
Crime Prevention Bulletin
Crime Prevention Bulletin Feb 2021