OPAL Newsletter – OPAL Matters – April 2020

OPAL Newsletter – OPAL Matters – April 2020

Newsletter 6 – OPAL Matters April 2020

To read all the latest news at OPAL click on the link to download our latest newsletter.

Community Response Fund application success

OPAL has received news from Cheshire West and Chester Council that our  Community Response Fund application has been successful. This very welcome funding will help us to continue our work through the Covid19 pandemic. 

This is great news because it means we can continue delivering all our befriending and support services to existing members and can also now consider supporting additional people through this difficult time. We are extremely grateful for Cheshire West’s and The Westminster Foundation’s support at a time when our normal fundraising activities have been brought to a standstill.

3 new OPAL services now up and running

Over the last few weeks OPAL has been redesigning OPAL Services to comply with social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic.

We have successfully set up 3 new temporary services, all based on the social distancing and safe working guidance, while still supporting our members who are now self isolating.

Our new services are:

• A telephone befriending service to keep in touch with our most vulnerable members.
• A remote GoOnLine support service to support our members make best use of communication technology while isolated.
• An ‘OPAL Reach’ newsletter to help the OPAL community stay in touch.

We expect that normal OPAL services will resume as soon as the social distancing guidelines are relaxed.

Coronavirus update (Temporary closure of services)

Coronavirus ….an urgent message for all our OPAL members and volunteers

OPAL Services is very aware of the way in which the coronavirus is spreading and of the implications for older people with underlying health conditions, be they our members or volunteers. 

We have been taking advice from the Council and taking account of information from Public Health England on this very difficult matter.

We believe we need to temporarily close our services until we can guarantee a safer environment for the people we provide the services for, and for our volunteers.

Our Clubs at Frodsham, Helsby, Kelsall, Malpas, Tarporley and Tattenhall will be closed from Monday 16^th March, as will all the other community services we provide.  Please get in touch with your Organiser if you need more information and we will post further updates as soon as we have them. 

Our intention is to reopen these services as soon as it is safe to do so.

This is a fast moving situation and we are aware things can change at short notice. Thank you for your support.  

Jane Colville

Chair of OPAL Services (Rural West Cheshire)

Coronavirus update

Coronavirus (COVID-19) bulletin

Catch it, Bin it, Kill it

OPAL Services would like all members and volunteers to know that we are monitoring developments in Coronavirus (COVID-19) very closely and will issue news updates as the situation changes. For the moment we will continue to observe safe hygiene practices and encourage all others in our OPAL services and settings to do the same. 

We do not expect people (staff, volunteers or members) to attend our services if they have heavy colds or flu-like symptoms. If you have concerns, we would encourage you to talk to your Organiser as soon as possible. We will remain alert to new advice and information we receive and will communicate it as necessary.

The following is an extract from advice given by the UK Government, Public Heath England. The full guidance can be obtained from the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-social-or-community-care-and-residential-settings-on-covid-19/guidance-for-social-or-community-care-and-residential-settings-on-covid-19#preventing-the-spread-of-infection

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• washing your hands often – with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if handwashing facilities are not available – this is particularly important after taking public transport. Guidance is available on hand washing
• covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch It, Bin It, Kill It
• people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work
• employees should wash their hands:
  • before leaving home
  • on arrival at work
  • after using the toilet
  • after breaks and sporting activities
  • before food preparation
  • before eating any food, including snacks
  • before leaving work
  • on arrival at home
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• if staff are worried about their symptoms or those of a family member or colleague, please call NHS 111. They should not go to their GP or other healthcare environment

OPAL Newsletter – Winter 2020

To read all the latest news at OPAL click on the link to download our latest newsletter.

Grand Christmas Draw

Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for our 2019 Grand Christmas Draw. You have helped us raise an amazing £3,666 towards the running of OPAL services.

The draw was made at the Malpas Club Christmas party and all the winners have been notified.

We would also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who donated prizes and made this such a success.

Annual General Meeting 2019

Notice is hereby given that the 8th Annual General Meeting

will be held on November 13^th 2019 at 6.00 pm at

Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Waverton, Chester, CH3 7PT

Light refreshment will be available at 6.45 pm. The event will conclude around 8.30 pm after a stimulating contribution from Tom and Kathy Barham who have developed an approach known as the ‘Book of You’ which very recently featured on Radio 4 Woman`s Hour. They are happy to share with us all some of the exciting work they are undertaking in Wales involving older people and the people who support them.  

All members of the public, including our members, volunteers and service users are welcome to attend our AGM.

In order for us to make appropriate catering arrangements please let us know if you will be at the AGM and following event . RSVP by 8^th November to Victoria Ridgway v.ridgway@chester.ac.uk or jane.colville@opalservices.org.uk or your local Organiser 

Ladies Fundraising Fashion Show Friday 25th October

Chameleon Style is to present a Ladies Fashion Show in aid of OPAL services, with clothing, jewellery and accessories from £6 to £40. The Fashion Show will take place on Friday 25th October at the Barbour Institute in Tattenhall. Doors open at 7.30 and the show starts at 8pm. All are welcome. Tickets are £5 each and are available from jane.colville@opalservices.org.uk

June Lottery Draw

The Lottery Draw for the month of June took place on 27th June 2019.

The lucky draw winners are:

1^st – £125 – No 448 – Helen Whittle

2^nd– £80 – No 304 – Karen Kinsey

3^rd– £40 – No 457– Kelsall OPAL Club

Congratulations to our winners.