Hall Green Communities and Covid-19
Community, voluntary and faith sectors, health, family support, social work, police, education, social care, early year’s providers and GPs are committed to working together to offer local help following the Covid 19 outbreak. Birmingham City Council and BVSC are leading efforts to make it easier for people to get the support they need in the neighbourhoods where they live through a number of initiatives including:
GreenSquareAccord is the lead partner for NNS and Early Help for families in the Hall Green Constituency.
The Hall Green Communities Team is working across Moseley, Kings Heath & Brandwood Sparkhill, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Hall Green to support people of all ages in diverse communities.
* For resources intended to support community groups to resume activities following the pandemic please follow this LINK *
Covid Community Updates
Places of Worship Can Order LFD Tests in Bulk
To order, places of worship should email – TestingEnquiries@birmingham.gov.uk
Email should include the following information:
- The number of boxes of test kits they require – each box contains 7 tests (designed to last one person 3-4 weeks, testing twice a week)
- The name and delivery address of the organisation
- The name and phone number of the person taking delivery
- The hours or days they are open and can accept delivery
Celebrating Ramadan During Covid-19
Birmingham City Council has continued to work closely with Islamic leaders of the city to support the continuation of spiritual support of our Muslim citizens as well as keeping everyone safe during the pandemic. They have asked everyone celebrating to observe Ramadan safely and within national COVID guidelines. See this helpful video produced by Bahu Trust and supported by Healthy Brum.
Vaccinations For Over-45s
Everyone over the age of 45 can now book a vaccine. Head to this NHS link to book.
Rapid Covid-19 Tests Now Available at Home
The government has announced that everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing twice a week. You can order the tests online and it is an extremely quick and simple way to make sure you and keeping yourself and others safe. Read more and order tests here. Alternatively, find your closest Lateral Flow test sites here.
Twice weekly rapid testing to be available to everyone in England from 9 April
The government has announced that everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing twice a week from Friday 9th April. Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is an essential part of the easing of restrictions and now testing is being made even more convenient and easy to obtain. Find more info with the government press release.
Clinically Vulnerable People Can Stop Shielding From 1 April
In line with the easing of lockdown restictions, those on the shielded patient list can cease shielding and begin to follow the national restrictions alongside the rest of the population from Thursday 1 April. Letters with updated guidance will be delivered to patients over the next two weeks. Read more on the government website.
E-scooter Discounts To and From Vaccination Centres
E-scooter operator, Voi, is offering discounted rides to help people get to and from their vaccination appointments in Birmingham. Users can get an £8 reduction on journeys which start or finish at an NHS vaccination centre. Find the discount code and more information by clicking here.
Letter Issued to Help Schoolchildren Test for COVID-19
A letter has been issued by Dr Justin Varney, Director of Public Health Birmingham, to parents, families and carers to help their children stay safe at school. The letter includes advice on how to maintain social distance and hygiene, how to obtain lateral flow test kits (collection and online), and what to do after a positive result. Find the letter in full through the Council website.
New Lateral Flow Test Sites
Lateral flow test sites have been launched at two new sites in Birmingham (head to the Council webpage to find opening times):
- BCFC St Andrews Stadium, Catell Road, Birmingham, B9 4RL
- Cannon Hill Park, Queen’s Ride South, Pershore Road, B5 7RL
Carers: Make Sure You Are Registered to Get Your Vaccine
Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, and informal carers, are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination if they haven’t already been invited to have one. Head to the Forward Carers website to check if you are classed as a carer.
Register as a carer on the Forward Carers website if you have not already. After registering, your status and eligibility will be shared automatically with Birmingham’s vaccination roll-out programme, managed by the NHS.
Households With School Age Children Get FREE Covid Tests
The Government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all families and households with primary, secondary school and college aged children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles. Find more information on the Government website, as well as further guidance on testing in education and childcare.
Council Launches Test Site Map
Birmingham City Council has launched an interactive map showing the locations of all the main lateral flow testing centres across the city. Find your community’s closest site through the Test Site Map.
#BrumTogether Support Network
A coalition of voluntary, community and faith groups, providing essential supplies and support during the pandemic, made up of 80+ partner organisations. They co-ordinate and deliver food parcels, hot meals, hygiene products, clothing, baby supplies and children’s activity packs to families. Visit their webpage now to see how they can help you or someone you know.
Blakesley Hall Testing Site Opens
Following a delay, the lateral flow testing site at Blakesley Hall (Blakesley Road,
B25 8RN) is now open. Click here for opening times and for details of other sites, including the main testing hub at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Get Tested at the Hippodrome
The rapid lateral flow COVID-19 testing site at the Utilita Arena (formerly NIA) has moved to the Hippodrome Theatre on Thorp Street, B5 4TB. The new site is open for testing seven days a week, between 8am and 6pm. See the council website for more information on the site.
Home Testing Kits Now Easier to Order
The government has introduced a number of accessibility improvements to the home testing programme to make it even easier to get tested. Home test kits can now be ordered over the phone by calling 119, without needing access to the internet. Please see the government website for more information.
Pharmacy Testing Sites Available Across Birmingham
There are now 56 pharmacies across Birmingham which offer lateral flow testing to those who do not have symptoms. To find your nearest site and share the information, visit the Central Health website. (Sites taking appointments are in blue.)
Resources
Covid Guidance Animations in Several Community Languages
This link will take you to short, animated messages on vaccination, test & trace and social distancing produced by the Bahu Trust. Despite us slowly coming out of the National Lockdown, these messages are more important than ever before. They are designed to be positive, engaging and give people hope. They have been produced in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, Bangla and Sylheti.
Birmingham Early Years Networks – Back to school Coronavirus resources
Advice on home testing, help with children transitioning back to education settings, and much more! Please see their webpage which is full of fantastic resources.
Vaccination Resources for BAME Communities
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council has compiled an extensive list of essential COVID-19 vaccination resources for BAME communities. It includes multiple videos, translated documents and news releases – along with much more. Please head to the BVSC website for more details.
Muslim Women’s Network UK Vaccination Advice
Network trustee, Dr. Iram Sattar, looks at the myths and facts surrounding the vaccine and explains why it is important for people to take the vaccine in a recent blog post. Head to the Muslim Women’s Network website to read. The network has also translated vaccine advice into Urdu and Bengali in short videos.
Birmingham & Solihull CCG Vaccination Resource Website
Birmingham & Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, who are involved in organising the city’s vaccination programme, have developed their own vaccination resource website. This includes a ‘What you need to know’ section, plus and a video walk-through of the vaccination process. Head to their website to access.
NHS COVID-19 App
On the 24th September 2020 the NHS COVID-19 app was launches as part of the governments large scale coronavirus
(COVID-19) testing and contact tracing programme. In England the programme is called the NHS Test and Trace service, and in Wales it is named the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service. The app will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus. For more information on the app download the PDF linked below.
Important Information Regarding Local Coronavirus Restrictions
From Tuesday 15th of September 2020 new Coronavirus restrictions came into place in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. Below we have complied a list of trusted information resources to keep you up to date on what the changes mean for you in Hall Green.
Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown for England (began 8th March 2021)
COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021 (Summary) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Guidance for England (as of 5th Jan 2021)
National lockdown: Stay at Home – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
COVID-19 Community Update Archive
During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic our team produced fortnightly community updates with the latest news, support, resources, service changes and guidance related to Covid-19 operating restrictions in Hall Green and across the wider City. As we ease out of lockdown, the focus of our community update has shifted, but you can view our archived Covid-19 Community Updates linked below.
Covid 19 Mutual Aid Groups
Whilst lockdown restrictions are gradually easing, we understand that circumstances have changed for many and continued support is needed for children, families and older citizens in the Hall Green Locality.
#BrumTogether – A coalition of voluntary, community and faith groups, run by The Active Wellbeing Society. They co-ordinate and deliver food parcels, hot meals, hygiene products, clothing, baby supplies and children’s activity packs to families.
Moseley Together – creating networks in Moseley to support those unable to leave the house by shopping or collecting prescription and befriending.
Kings Heath Volunteer Network – Kings Heath Volunteers Network aims to offer support and assistance to elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
Hall Green north/Sparkhill Covid Volunteer Group – aims to offer support and assistance to elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
Balsall Heath Covid 19 Mutual Aid – local volunteers supporting the community in Balsall Heath, making sure everyone has what they need to help them get through the Covid-19 crisis.
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