Your Residents Association Newsletter

Community Matters - December 2021

Merry Christmas

The committee would like to wish all the residents of
Jumpers and St. Catherine’s a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
We hope you all stay well and get the opportunity to spend some much
needed time enjoying the festive season in whatever way you do.

 

BCP Move to Plan B confirmed

 

The government has announced that England will move to Plan B in response to the risks of the Omicron variant. Moving to Plan B will help to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and reduce the chances of the NHS coming under unsustainable pressure, while buying time to deliver more boosters. In summary, the measures announced are:

• From 10 December, mandatory face covering rules are extended to most indoor settings (but will not include hospitality settings).

• From 13 December, guidance is for people to work from home if they can. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to travel to their workplace.

• From 15 December, introduction of mandatory certification for certain settings. This will mean a requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter certain high risk settings.

 

Join Team Dorset vaccine team

Are you an experienced healthcare assistant, qualified healthcare professional, or in another similar role? If yes, you could be helping to protect local people of all ages from COVID-19 and flu. Vaccinators are urgently needed to help to support our communities as part of the largest vaccination programme in history. There are a number of opportunities available, flexible bank agreements (work when you wish) with a range of shifts to suit you or fixed term contracts for up to 6 months. Find out more and apply today here
 

You should work from home, if you can

Office workers who can work from home should do so from Monday 13 December. In-person working will be necessary in some cases to continue the effective and accessible delivery of some public services and private industries. If you need to continue to go into work, consider taking lateral flow tests regularly to manage your own risk and the risk to others.

 

Think 111

If you need urgent care, think 111 first. They will help you to be seen quickly and safely by a suitable service, including A&E if appropriate.

 

Support local good causes with BH Coastal Lottery

BH Coastal Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 60% from each ticket goes to local good causes, which range from children's charities, environmental organisations, animal voluntary organisations, health, environment and community groups. The lottery is drawn every Saturday, with each ticket giving you the chance to win cash prizes including the £25,000 jackpot. Buy your ticket here

Looking after yourself during winter and tips to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

With the clocks going back and the days getting shorter, many people find this time of the year difficult and find it hard to motivate themselves. It's important that you have ways to help yourself feel better. If you usually go for a walk after work, why not try to go for a walk at lunch time instead? Or bring someone with you for a walk after work when it's dark. As the days get shorter, it's normal to feel more tired than usual, which is why it's important that you feel well rested after your sleep. As sunlight is reduced this time of year, make sure you're getting vitamin C through fruit, green vegetables and vitamins.

Library opening times

Christchurch Library is now open from 9am on weekdays and stays open until 5pm on Wednesdays.

BCP Council libraries are open during their usual hours across the festive period, apart from the following times and dates:

• libraries close at 1pm on Friday 24 December

• libraries closed on 25, 26, 27, 28 December

• Springbourne library closes 1pm on Friday 31 December

• All other libraries close at 5pm on Friday 31 December

• libraries closed on Saturday 1 January to Monday 3 January 2022 and reopen on Tuesday 4 January 2022.

You can also access free online information resources, eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers and magazines, view the catalogue and renew books via online libraries services at any time.

Transforming Travel

21 schools across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole now have brand new facilities to help pupils and staff travel in a sustainable and active way, after receiving a share of nearly £212,000 through the south east Dorset Transforming Cities Fund.

The grants have helped to build new facilities at the schools such as new lockable bike and scooter racks, electric bike chargers, showers, changing and locker facilities, bike repair stands and static tyre pumps.

More information News Article (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

New 23 bus route to link Burton, Christchurch and Somerford

News Article (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

Morebus has launched a new bus route linking Burton with Christchurch Town Centre, Somerford Estate and Sainsbury’s. The new bus service is supported by a central government funding applied for and won by BCP Council.

To complement the introduction of the new route 23, Morebus has amended the route and timetable for its 24 service. This now calls at St Catherine’s, Christchurch, Somerford Road, and Somerford Sainsburys.

Morebus website

 

Waste collections to continue as normal over Christmas

Over Christmas, your rubbish, recycling and food waste collection days will continue as normal over the festive period with your usual collection days remaining the same.

A massive thanks to our collection crews, who will be out collecting on the Bank Holidays including Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December 2021 and Monday 3 January 2022.

Please remember to place your bin(s) out at the kerbside by 5am on your usual collection day, so they are clearly visible to our collection crews.

 

Your local Councillors

Christchurch Town Council -

Councillors | Christchurch Town Council (christchurch-tc.gov.uk)
 

BCP Council Commons ward -

Councillor Vanessa Ricketts

Councillor Margaret Phipps