IRU - Monday 1st August 2020

Welcome to this week's Information Round-up! 

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Nearly a month ago we asked you 'Have you or someone you know had COVID-19 in the last month?' The reason we asked you this is because numbers for covid were up and all the staff at Healthwatch Stockport had been effected in the last month by covid whether that is catching the virus or having someone in the house who has contracted the virus. 

It is hard to understand the numbers of people now testing positve for covid as it is not mandatory to do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms. The latest numbers for the North West are 13,401 postive tests in the past 7 days. If you want to find out more information about the number of cases in the UK you can click here. 

Healthwatch News

Disabled people report being blocked from NHS care due to poor communications

Healthwatch England - Are NHS waiting times pushing more people to go private?

Healthwatch England - NHS acts on your feedback to improve dental care

Pharmacy Opening Times - Monday 29th August 2022 - Bank Holiday

Update from Stockport Council about statement from Director of Public Health

Message from Emma Ferguson (Stockport Council)

Please find this month’s Director of Public Health statement.

The latest estimate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection survey suggests that around 7.5%* of the population of the North West would test positive for Covid-19 on 13 July, up from 3% on 18 June. In Stockport this equates to around 21,950 people and rates are now the second highest they have ever been. Sadly, five Stockport residents have died in the last week within 28 days of a positive Covid test. See the latest published data online. See the latest published data online.

One Stockport Hub vaccination pop ups have been extended for Saturdays throughout August.

This month we are focusing on World Breastfeeding Week, (1-7 August) an annual event run by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding around the world. Breastfeeding helps mum and baby to bond with each other, provides health benefits for mum and baby and provides food security from the very beginning of life.

Also we are reminding older people in Stockport that 3,000 pensioners are missing out on a vital element of their pension, as latest statistics from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show more than one-third of those eligible are not claiming Pension Credit, with an estimated £5.8 million a year going unclaimed - an average of £1,900 for each eligible person.

Updates from Stockport Council

Message from Sarah Burke (Stockport Council)

Our Kind of Stockport

The One Stockport, Our Kind of Stockport campaign has launched to emphasise the importance and benefits of volunteering. Please watch the campaign video and share it with your networks.

As part of the campaign, FREE 'Our Kind of Stockport' pin badges are available from the One Stockport Hub for all volunteers. Volunteers in Stockport played an invaluable role in supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic and beyond. We are asking people to wear their badge with pride to signify their support for volunteers in the borough!

Stockport Council wins LGC Digital Impact Award

Stockport Council has been recognised in the Local Government Chronicle Awards for their use of data and digital to help deliver better services to residents. Further information on the award win is available on the council’s news pages.

Among the digital tools singled out, was the open data platform, The Big Stockport Picture. This collaborative tool is available to Stockport voluntary sector organisations, who can use the information to support evidence-based bids for grant funding.

Stockport Council Jobs Fair

Come along to our jobs fair 13th September 11am – 6pm, Stockport Town Hall, to find out more about the huge variety of jobs available across the Council.

You can expect to:

• Find out about lots of different jobs, from administration and transport to support workers and social workers, to name but a few!
• Discover why Stockport Council is a great place to work!
• Get support in CV writing, getting into work and training and education
• Find volunteer opportunities
• Find out about job vacancies with our partners such as the NHS and Stockport Homes

Follow @JobsAtStockport on Twitter to keep up with recruitment news.

Greater Manchester’s Disabled Peoples Panel wants to hear views on the cost of living.

The Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel survey is open throughout July. The survey is targeted at any disabled people who live or work across Greater Manchester and specifically aims to find out their attitudes and feelings towards the current cost of living crisis. Whilst it is an online survey, people can complete the survey in whichever way suits them, with postal, BSL and in-person support available if people need it. More at: http://gmbigdisabilitysurvey.com/

The survey builds on the 2020 survey from the Panel, which saw nearly 1,000 disabled people in Greater Manchester respond about their views on the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings of the last survey where 90% of respondents said that the pandemic had a negative impact on their mental health, has helped the panel to apply pressure to decision makers about the services available to them. The 2020 survey also raised big issues with digital exclusion, as much of the emergency response was relying on digital platforms. This insight has helped to develop Greater Manchester’s response to digital inclusion.

Stockport visitor guides

As the school holidays approach, a new series of Stockport visitor guides will give you some great ideas for free or low-cost days out for all the family, in and around Stockport. Kicking off with Marple, there’ll be more added throughout the summer, so keep an eye out and take advantage of some great events and attractions right on your doorstep!

Guides for Summer Days Out in Stockport - One Stockport

This summer holidays – think Libraries!

With many schools in Stockport now having broken up for the summer holidays, many residents may be looking for things to do with their children to keep them entertained during the time away from school.

What better time than to join your local Stockport library? There’s so much more on offer than just books (although there’s a ton of great reads to enjoy too). From the use of the public PCs to fun events on offer across the summer, and even the Summer Reading Challenge to get involved with, it’s a fantastic opportunity to join your local library and start benefiting from all of the services they offer.

Please encourage residents to pop into their local library this school holidays and see what great opportunities they have to offer – for children and adults alike!