PCG Blog

More victims seeking support as lock-down restrictions ease   GDASS data is showing a steady increase in numbers of referrals and calls from victims as the lock-down restrictions are relaxed. This is  also being reported by other domestic abuse support agencies countrywide. In the same way that many patients who have worrying symptoms relating to cancer, strokes and heart conditions have not sought advice from their GPs during lock-down due to worries around Covid 19, many victims of abuse have also been riding out the lock-down until a safer time to seek help. For many victims of abuse, the abuse may have worsened or intensified during lock-down. However, victims have been unable to reach out for support due to limitations on seeing family and friends, as well as facing increasing barriers to seeing professionals such as GPs. As the restrictions ease and you see more patients and clients, remember to listen out to those subtle hints about how thi...

Transition Stroud is looking for a new Coordinator! The Coordinator will work part-time in a self-employed capacity. It is envisaged that the workload will vary from week to week, but that overall the post-holder will work an average of 10-11 hours per week, at £12/hr. The contract is likely to involve some evening and weekend work. The Coordinator will play a key role in enabling Transition Stroud to implement its strategy to contribute to the achievement of a carbon neutral district by 2030 and to build resilient local communities. The Coordinator will support and facilitate the work of the Transition Stroud Board, including the organising of online meetings and ensuring the implementation of decisions. Amongst a range of key tasks, the Coordinator will act as an initial point of contact, undertake a range of administrative and financial tasks, identify and pursue fund raising opportunities, liaise with Directors and Action Group leaders, and contribute as appropriate to strategy d...

Help us help you get the treatment you need If you have symptoms of Covid-19  and these worsen at home, visit 111 online or call NHS 111 for advice. Non Covid-19 illnesse s - If you are worried about your health or have symptoms that need to be checked out urgently, NHS services are still available and it’s important you make contact. Call your GP surgery, or if it’s a life threatening situation for example severe chest pain or signs of stroke, call 999. Telecare Gloucestershire Telecare provide discreet sensors that detect emergencies at home such as falls, fire and wandering. If you need urgent support please call the adult helpdesk on  01452 426868 . Visit the  Telecare website  for more information about our equipment and service or to find out more about community alarms, provided by your district council. If you already have Telecare equipment you can call  01452 583774  for support. Report it Support for vulnerable children and yo...

Young people aged 11 to 18 living in Gloucestershire can now access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via an online mental wellbeing platform at  www.kooth.com . Kooth is designed for young people experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as anxiety, low mood or stress.  Counselling can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists, and no criteria to meet to get support. As well as the option of online counselling, there is an online support network where young people can join friendly discussion boards to connect with others having similar experiences. They can access journals, goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute their own experiences or advice. Cllr Tim Harman, cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “It’s totally normal to feel stressed or anxious whatever age you are, especially if you’re not ab...

Pyke Quarry and Oak Quarry Household Recycling Centres to re-open Published 22.05.2020 The Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) at Pyke Quarry, Horsley and Oak Quarry near Coleford will re-open next week for pre-booked visits only. The HRCs at Hempsted in Gloucester, Wingmoor Farm at Stoke Orchard and Fosse Cross near Cirencester are already open with all trips needing to be booked in advance.  Next week, from Tuesday 26 May, the HRC at Pyke Quarry, Horsley will re-open with Oak Quarry near Coleford opening the following day on Wednesday 27 May. Social distancing measures will be in place to help keep visitors and staff safe and crucially anyone with covid-19 symptoms and those in self-isolating households MUST NOT visit. To limit the number of people on-site pre-booking is now required at all five of the county’s HRCs and vehicles should only have drivers wherever possible – a maximum of one passenger is permitted if you need help to unload your waste an...

Anyone over 18 in Gloucestershire can now access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via an online chat based platform at  www.qwell.io .  Chats can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists, and no criteria to meet to get support. Qwell, which is provided by XenZone, is designed for people experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as anxiety, low mood or stress. The site has a range of self-help tools, including friendly online discussion boards to connect with people having similar experiences, journals and goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute your own experiences or advice. Qwell is the  first of a new package of mental health support  to launch and will work alongside existing mental health services in the county to make sure there is a range of options for people depending on their need. If people can’t easily a...