A massive thank you to Guardsman for providing us with 120 bottles of their hand sanitiser for our volunteers. We have already started distributing this to our wonderful volunteers, who are delivering food packages and essential medication to the vulnerable residents of Didcot.
The sanitiser gel will help enhance the safety of our volunteers and continue the fight against COVID19. Thanks again for your support: Safeclean by Guardsman and Guardsman Care & Repair.
Please visit the NHS Website with information on COVID-19 before anything else. To practically help those that are “at risk” from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to age or underlying conditions, we have set up a Community Support Group for Great Western Park Residents, ran by GWP Residents. Volunteers will help distribute food and supplies to those in COVID19 self isolation and need our support. We have now helped several people in need with food deliveries.
If you live in Great Western Park require any support with access to supplies; posting mail; a friendly phone call; pet walking; prescription delivery, or are likely to require help, please email the dedicated community support request inbox covid19support@gwpra.org.uk . We also have a dedicated phone number to send text message (SMS) requests: +447520642520 . All personal information regarding requests is kept strictly confidential.
Please Note: we are not providing a home delivery shopping service. You will receive random food from the larder, as emergency sustenance. When click and collect returns and you pre-pay for food you select, this food can be collected on your behalf, if you are isolating for medical reasons.
This is achieved in the form of a register and dedicated support channel. If you wish to join the group of now 140+ wonderful volunteers, then please email: chairperson@gwpra.org.uk with your name, mobile phone number and FULL ADDRESS. When we have verified the details given against the electoral role (safe guarding), you will then be sent further instructions. It is vitally important you only carry out outside tasks if you have been fit and well for 7 days and everyone you live with has been well for 14 days. There are roles for the housebound, such as in the admin, telephone calls or mask making.
We have partnered with the wonderful people at the SOFEA Community Larder Charity (based in Didcot). They have agreed to provide us food at no cost to help with the COVID-19 situation, whilst they can. The GWP volunteers will help to distribute this, along with other essentials, to those in need.
The food is free however the charity cannot run unsupported financially and they are urging people to donate to us, to help us provide, extra vans, fuel, packaging and extra staffing. The community larder is normally a fee paying membership, after we begin to return to normal any member who would like to continue to receive food via the project will be invited to start pay a membership fee. £8.66 per month for 10 items of food a week plus fruit and veg and £17.32 a month for 20 items of food a week plus fruit and veg. It is not a binding contract and members can cancel at any time.
SOFEA Just Giving Page : https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sofeacommunitylarder
They are also in need of healthy volunteers, to assist in the warehouse in Didcot in processing the goods, please contact them if you can help with this.
We are currently doing a leaflet drop to raise awareness around GWP and are about 90% complete.
Dear Residents,
The next GWPRA meeting will take place on Monday 9th March 2020 at 7.30pm, at the Boundary Park Pavilion, Great Western Park.
Everyone is invited to the public meetings, so please come along, take the opportunity to meet your neighbours and find out more about your community.
The agenda for the meeting will be introduced on Facebook and is published on our website (www.gwpra.org.uk/meeting-minutes-agendas) just prior to the meeting.
We hope you can join us.
Kind regards,
Gareth – GWPRA Chairperson
NEWS FROM THE LOCAL DOCTORS
AN INVITATION TO JOIN YOUR PPG (Patients Participation Group)
Confused about what’s happening with healthcare in this area?
Do you know how to get your voice heard?
All GP Practices are required to have a Patient Participation Group. There are no requirements about how a PPG should operate, and it’s up to each Practice, but their role is to be a ‘critical friend’ on behalf of patients. PPG’s work to foster communication between patients, doctors, carers and all who work in the Practice. They support the Practice’s objectives and give feedback to the Practice on patients views and concerns. They also act as a forum for discussion on general health matters, including promotion of good health and prevention of disease; this may include public meetings on topics of general interest.
We’re all aware of the rapid expansion in the Didcot area, with many new homes and new residents arriving. Sadly, investment into infrastructure to support this expansion has been poor; a small area of land in Great Western Park has been allocated for a GP Practice , but the submitted plans are still a cause of argument and debate. This is not the fault of the Practices, who are working hard to deal with the pressures of ever-increasing workloads. The three Didcot Surgeries are now collaborating, through the Didcot Primary Care Network, to offer integrated primary and community health care, enhanced services and additional advances in patient care, through multidisciplinary teams. The Didcot PCN is still at an early stage and the three PPG’s are supporting the Practices in this important initiative.
The PPG’s welcome active membership to ensure there is continuity in medical facilities for the growing population in this area. The more members there are, the higher the volume of the collective PPG voice in support of the Partners and Staff of our valued GP Practices.
As Chairs / Representatives of the three PPG’s we will be writing regular articles to keep you informed on local healthcare developments.
In some Practices, patients are automatically members of the PPG, but can opt to become active members, participating in meetings, surveys, consultations, etc. In other Practices, you may need to apply specifically. Check your Practice’s website or ask at Reception for further details.
Andrea Warren – Oaktree Health Centre – www.oaktree.co.uk – andreadidcot@googlemail.com
Shelagh Garvey – Didcot Health Centre – www.didcothealthcentre.com – dhc.ppg@gmail.com
Stewart Lilly – Woodlands Medical Centre – www.woodlandsmedicalcentre.com – pgsecretarywoodlands@gmail.com
{Information provided by Stewart Lilly}
From the 1st April 2020, the pricing structure for bookings for the Northern Neighbourhood Community Centre has been changed.
If you would like to book this facility, located at Dan Read Parade, Great Western Park then please Email: gwpcommunitycentre@southandvale.gov.uk or phone: 07717 271 903
Dear Residents,
The next GWPRA meeting will take place on Monday 10th February 2020 at 7.40pm (very slightly later than usual), at the Boundary Park Pavilion, Great Western Park.
Everyone is invited to the public meetings, so please come along, take the opportunity to meet your neighbours and find out more about your community.
The agenda for the meeting will be introduced on Facebook and is published on our website (www.gwpra.org.uk/meeting-minutes-agendas) prior to the meeting.
We hope you can join us.
Kind regards,
Gareth – GWPRA Chairperson
FOUR GENERATIONS AT FAIRMILE a talk by IAN WHEELER
At the Northbourne Centre, Church Street Didcot OX11 8DG Thursday 13th February 2020 at 7.30pm All are welcome. Visitors £4