FREE On-line Activity Programme

Are you bored of being stuck inside on lock down and not having a routine?

Maybe you have been furloughed from work and are struggling to structure your day?

You may even be feeling down and just need some motivation back in your life?

There's only so much Netflix anybody can watch without getting fed up, right?

If this is you, then why not join our next DIGITAL programme, starting on the 11^th May?

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are currently recruiting 16-25 year old's to take part in a FREE online activity programme. You must have already left high school and no longer be in education or registered at College/University.

With regular communication and guidance from our staff over the phone and via digital channels, this means that you can work towards a certificate of recognition awarded by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service from the comfort of your own home.

This will look great on your CV and provide you with the support and guidance that you may need through this difficult time. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are determined to help you be in a better position once the restrictions are lifted and have a clear plan of what to do next once we return to ‘normal’ everyday life.

You must be connected to the internet and have a mobile phone.
Access to a laptop, computer or tablet will also be beneficial but not essential.

The programme offers you:

• Help developing your confidence and self-esteem.
• Advice on how to look after your mental health and well-being.
• Tips on maintaining physical fitness and a healthy, balanced diet.
• Information, Advice and Guidance on careers that suit your skill set.
• Support when applying for jobs or college courses.
• The opportunity to improve your employability skills by working on your interview technique and building an up to date CV.
• The chance to increase your knowledge of the importance of British Values in our society.

If you are interested in this unique opportunity, or know anybody else that might be, then please contact Charlie for more information on:  07900268708  CharlotteBrown@lancsfirerescue.org.uk

*My team is covering Lancaster and Morecambe and the surrounding areas.

Health chiefs across Morecambe Bay are urging people not to put off getting help when they need it.

The message is: “we’re open, let us help you”. There is a worry that people are putting themselves or their loved ones at risk by not seeking urgent help when it’s needed. The people of Morecambe Bay have been brilliant at staying home to save lives, but if you or someone you are with shows signs of a serious, life-threatening Illness or injury they must go to hospital. There’s a worry that people who may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke are putting off coming to hospital. A&E attendances at our three hospitals are now 66% fewer than the same time last year. The NHS is under immense pressure, but these illnesses and diseases haven’t gone away. All of our NHS services are still open and anyone suffering with a health issue and has doubts should not hesitate to seek help. We would rather they called 999 or attended an A&E to find an honest mistake has been made than be too late to save a person's life. People can be nervous at the best of times about coming into hospital, and we understand the feeling of uncertainty right now during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Doctors and Nurses may look a little different at the moment, but it’s for everyone’s safety. If you are seriously ill, please don’t let that put you off coming to hospital for an emergency. We have COVID-free areas to look after people with different needs.

May Meeting

Due to the current restrictions for Coronavirus, unfortunately the May meeting of this Parish Council will be cancelled.

Coronavirus Testing

At yesterday’s daily coronavirus briefing it was announced a further expansion of the Coronavirus testing programme. Testing is now available to all over 65s and members of their households, if they have symptoms. Additionally, any worker who needs to leave their home in order to go to work, and their households, if any of them have symptoms can also get a test. This means construction workers to emergency plumbers, research scientists to those in manufacturing – can now be tested. If this applies to you, or anyone in your household, please go online now and apply for a test. This new expansion of testing, made possible due to rapidly increasing testing capacity, will help protect our most vulnerable, our healthcare staff and keep people safe.

Apply now

Thank you,

Matt Hancock Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Telesales Calls - White Goods Insurance

Please be wary of telephone calls offering warranties for white goods. Often the callers can be persistent, repeatedly calling the householder and once you have agreed to a warranty, you can be targeted by other similar calls.  Please be wary of contracting with companies via a telesales call. Trading Standards advice is to shop around and use local, known service providers. Remember, you will have cancellation rights of 14 days for most contracts agreed over the telephone.
To reduce telesales calls join the Telephone Preference Service on 03450 700707

As more people self-isolate at home there is an increasing risk that telephone scams will also rise, including criminals claiming to be your bank, mortgage lender or utility company,

Scammers Shopping for the Elderly

A number of genuine community groups across the County are offering to help the elderly and vulnerable with tasks such as shopping. Although Trading Standards is unaware of problems in the county, there is the potential for scammers to take advantage of the situation, taking payment up front, and not returning.  Be particularly wary of those going door to door, offering these services with no paperwork and contact details. Anyone claiming to be from a charity should have ID. Genuine schemes should be properly organised, with clear paperwork and should give you the option of responding or not.

Bogus Gas Man

Be suspicious of utility providers turning up unannounced at your door. Always ask for identification but check independently with the utility company. In most cases you will have received a letter in advance letting you know work will take place.
Trading Standards advice is to always say NO to cold callers. The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.u

Beware Property Repair Cold Callers

Trading Standards have received reports of householders being cold called by property repairers and are concerned that rogue traders may take advantage of the current situation, targeting older or vulnerable residents who are self-isolating or shielding.
Trading Standards advice is to say no to cold callers, always get a written quote before agreeing to any work and remember for most contracts agreed at your home you should be given a 14 day cooling off period in writing.

Bogus Coronavirus Testing Kits

Lancashire Police have received reports of door to door sales people offering "home Coronavirus testing kits". Please be aware, such items are fake, no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

The Police have also received reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and whilst this may not be a scam, this Service would urge you against purchasing these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.  There are reports of some potentially harmful hand sanitiser being sold containing glutaral (or glutaraldehyde), which was banned for human use in 2014.

Price Increases for Goods

The Service is receiving a number of complaints about shops excessively increasing the prices of goods, particularly food stuffs and sanitisation products that are in high demand. Whilst suppliers are free to set their own prices, Trading Standards work closely with the Competition and Markets Authority and will consider any evidence that companies may have broken competition or consumer protection law.
Reports have also been received regarding misleading claims being made about the efficacy of protective equipment and sanitisation products. Please report such practices to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133.

Stayathome Beat boredom with stories of the Bay

Morecambe Bay Partnership's Recording Morecambe Bay Website holds a huge array of fascinating stories and archaeological records from their collection.

Log onto the Morecambe Bay Partnership's website and lose yourself in memories from our oral history archives - from shrimping tales to the Super Swimming Stadium - you can enjoy voices from all corners of the Bay.  You can also explore virtual 3-D models of archaeological sites, discover new historical research or simply enjoy old maps, photographs and information about our shared history.

Not sure where to start? Try the Morecambe Bay Lives Podcasts, the history of Jenny Brown's Point or stories of our fishing industry - music, voices, animations and beautiful images - just check Catching Tales.
We'll keep sharing stories on social media and would love to hear your stories and memories and see your old photographs too. 

Think before you flush

Only the 3Ps "pee, poo and toilet paper" should be flushed - a timely reminder from Hannah, Morecambe Bay Partnership's LOVEmyBEACH Officer. 

Kitchen roll, wet wipes, newspaper and even socks are being used and causing blockages in the sewers and problems in septic tanks.  "If you're stuck, and using alternatives, they go in the bin, not down the loo," said Hannah.  Stick to flushing only the 3Ps to keep our sewers clear and beaches safe and clean for everyone. Learn more at https://lovemybeach.org/at-home/