New Phone system May 2024 -see notice on home page
Food Banks
A 6 month pilot scheme has been launched for anyone in need. Food bank vouchers are now available from the Three Shires Surgery in Colerne Tel 01225 742028. Vouchers can be redeemed for food supplies at the Corsham Food bank. Tues. 10- 11:30 & Sat 10- 12noon.
In an emergency you can ring direct to Corsham Foodbank for help Tel No 07788115095Website: - Corshamchurchesfoodbank.org.uk For those unable to visit Corsham Foodbank Emergency Food supplies available in Colerne. Request help via 07754512665
Colerne Mini Larder
For anyone in need, St John’s Church are providing a mini larder in the south porch of the church, containing tinned and dried food & toiletries, (see Notice Board by the Church Gate) Take what you need, no need to ask. Those who can, just contribute when you are able, through the Food Bank Collecting box in Colerne News.
Shirley Willcox Colerne Foodbank Coordinator
Pucklechurch Surgery also has a food bank collection point located in the waiting area, should you wish to make donations.
NHS IT and Amazon Web Services
We have been asked to let our patients know that a number of NHS IT companies, including EMIS and Docman -who own operate IT systems, are currently using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store clinical records information. EMIS is large GP medical records provider which is used in around half of all UK GP patients (40 million records) , and the cloud servers it uses are approved by the department of health. As a practice, we don't have much control over national decisions like this, but we have been assured that AWS is safe and secure. AWS is used by numerous large companies such as the BBC and Netflix amongst others.
Keeping Warm and Safe in Winter
With the weather getting colder it is important that we ensure that we and our homes are warm enough. Being cold or having a cold home is not good for your health. Problems linked to cold homes range from high blood pressure and common colds to heart attacks and pneumonia. Besides poor health, cold-related illnesses cause absence from work, social isolation and sleep deprivation. It can also lead to stress. People with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable, particularly if their home is damp and mouldy, which is often the case in under-heated, poorly ventilated homes.
The cost-of-living crisis and removal of winter fuel payments for some older adults will push more people into fuel poverty. If you or a loved one are struggling to pay the bills, or keeping warm enough there is organisations that can help.
Note about pension credits: If you've reached State Pension age, you might be able to apply for Pension Credit. Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income. It’s based on how much money you have coming in. Pension credits are an underclaimed benefit that if claimed may help access other benefits such as the winter fuel payment.
Your local council or citizen advice can help you apply for pension credits. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility for more information.
For patients in South Gloucestershire:
Community Energy Advice from Severn Wye
This service provides free energy efficiency advice to all householders and landlords, including grant funding to eligible residents, home visits and support if you fall behind on your bills.
Phone: 0800 170 1432
Website: https://severnwye.org.uk/project/community-energy-advice/
South Gloucestershire Council
The council may be able to help with emergency, long term grants or other support if you are struggling with financial pressures. Help is available whether you are in receipt of benefits or not.
Phone: 01454 868009
Website: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/
Citizen Advice
Free and confidential advice on a range of areas including benefits, employment, debt, energy issues and housing to help you find the way forward.
Phone: 0808 278 7947
Website: www.southgloscab.org.uk
AVON Fire & Rescue
FREE home fire safety visits for those aged 65 and over, families with children under 5 and vulnerable people.
Phone: 0117 926 2061
Website: www.avonfire.gov.uk
Age UK – South Glos
A range of local services including Activity Day Centres, Advice & Information including benefits guidance, Befriending, Walking groups, Digital Inclusion and Home from Hospital.
Phone: 01454 411 707
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/southgloucestershire/
Age UK South Gloucestershire, Wales and West, and South Gloucestershire Council have joined forces to offer you some help to keep warm and safe this winter:
- We can offer & deliver to you, a cold weather pack that is free of charge. This contains various items to help you keep warm this winter.
- These can also be collected from the South Gloucestershire Council One Stop shops in Yate, Patchway and Kingswood from 4th November 2024.
Yate Shopping Centre, Kennedy Way, Yate, Bristol, BS37 4DQ
Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9TR
The Patchway Hub. Rodway Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5PE
- We can offer and deliver to you, five low energy light bulbs, free of charge, that on average can reduce your energy bills by up to £55 per year.
- We can also offer and deliver to you, a room thermometer/hygrometer free of charge. This not only makes sure you are living within the correct temperature, 18c for sleeping, 20c for daytime but it also measures the moisture levels in your home and can help prevent mould and damp.
- If you own your home, we can also offer you and conduct a Gas Safety check, & boiler service, free of charge, to the value of £60. This will be conducted by a Registered Gas Safety Engineer. Any additional costs to repair or replacement parts, will need to be discussed to see if we can help. It is important to keep your boiler in good working order, to keep energy costs down.
- We can offer and deliver to you, a carbon monoxide detector free of charge. Remember if you smell gas call 0800 111999.
- We can order and deliver to you, an electric heated throw/blanket but these will need to be ordered upon request. Each will cost you £32 (at time of writing).
If you would like to take us up on any of the above, then please contact us on 01454 411707 and press option 1, or email us at: Winter24@ageuksouthglos.org.uk
Due to the cancellation of the Winter Fuel Allowance, we are expecting an unprecedented demand in requests for our help this winter. When contacting us, please leave a message with your full name, address, telephone number and what help you require.
For patients in Wiltshire:
Warm and Safe Wiltshire
A service provided by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to help residents live in safer and healthier homes.Phone: 0800 038 5722
Website - https://www.warmandsafewiltshire.org.uk/
Email: warmandsafe@cse.org.uk
Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub
Anyone can access the hub and it can provide confidential advice, information, and signposting from the council's friendly team in relation to the cost of living.
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm & Friday 9am to 4pm
Phone: 0300 003 4576
Email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk
Citizen's Advice Wiltshire
They provide a range of advice over the phone, by email and on web chat.
Phone 0800 144 88 48
Website: https://www.citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk/
Age UK Wiltshire
A local charity working in the community to support older people, their families, and carers
Phone: 0808 196 2424
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/