Amid the growing reports of the huge impact of the coronavirus on the care homes sector, Thames Hospice Chief Executive Debbie Raven wrote to local care homes last week offering them access to the charity’s community services to support residents.

Debbie Raven said: “As we have seen across our entire health system, organisations are having to continually change and adapt in the face of this unprecedented situation.

“At Thames Hospice we reviewed our existing services and made the decision to expand our Community Team to be able to support and care for more patients facing a terminal illness in their own homes, to help reduce the risk and spread of infection and, where possible, to avoid admission to hospital.”

CLICK HERE for Furloughing Update.

Kirk Rice and Financial Advisors have created an Information Hub to help people through the financial maze created by the Covid 19 crisis. CLICK HERE

To make a donation and find out about the local branch, please visit 

 https://www.samaritans.org/branches/bracknell 

Local Samaritans are here for you and appeal for your support

Following the Government’s confirmation that Samaritans volunteers are critical to supporting vulnerable people, the local branch is making every effort to ensure that its volunteers are able to provide emotional support to anyone in crisis.

Volunteers who are able to carry out shifts at Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot & Districts Samaritans are following strict guidelines on hygiene standards and social distancing. The situation is continually monitored to ensure that volunteer safety is prioritised. The support is currently available through free phone 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org only, as for the time being the Bracknell-based branch cannot accept visitors.

Branch director Chris Lindsay said: “For more than 45 years, our branch has provided a listening ear to anyone who needs support, which has been possible through the public’s kind donations.

• Countryside walks

   

• Go walking in Swinley Forest

   

• Countryside walking routes

   

CLICK HERE for WEBSITE

Waste and recycling collections moving to fortnightly during COVID19

From Monday 6th April RBWM will be moving to fortnightly waste & recycling collections, following staff reductions due to the Corona COVID19 Virus outbreak. 

This means from Monday 6th April 2020 general waste (black bin) will be collected one week and recycling (blue bin) will be collected the following week but food waste collections will continue to be collected weekly. Your collection date will remain the same. 

Those in properties where the bins are communal will continue to have all their waste and recycling collected weekly. 

EASTER | Easter Bank Holiday bin collections

Due to the Easter Bank Holiday, waste and recycling collection days will change slightly from Friday 10 April.

This means from Friday 10th April your collection will take place one day later than normal. For example if your waste is normally collected on a Friday for this week and next it will be collected on a Saturday (this is the same as every other bank holiday).

The graphic shown provides an easy guide to see when your collection will be.

Don’t forget to check which bin you need to put out as part of our move to alternate weekly waste and recycling collections here

E-mail: revenue.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk