County seeks more Digital Buddies

An initiative that has helped communities stay digitally connected during the pandemic is looking for more volunteers to support Denbighshire residents. 

In the summer of 2020, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, Digital Communities Wales and Denbighshire County Council, in collaboration, launched Denbighshire Digital Buddies. 

The scheme helps anyone needing assistance with digital technology and has helped families, friends and loved ones stay connected through the difficult lockdowns of the pandemic. 

Buddies have provided technical support over the phone, helping people become more independent and improving their mental health and wellbeing. 

Gareth Jones of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, said: “Communities in Denbighshire have come together during this pandemic, and our Digital Buddies scheme has tapped into that positive energy to provide valuable support.

"My role has been to recruit volunteers, ensure they are trained and to match them with people in the community who need digital assistance. We would like to recruit more volunteer Digital Buddies."

Debbie Hughes, a Digital Buddy volunteer from Prestatyn said: “I have recently helped a lady who had no IT skills at all. She was able to access a tablet through some of the work I do and was then able, with my support, to download WhatsApp. The lady now video calls her daughter in New Zealand. 

“I think it’s opened her eyes a lot to other things that technology can do, and she will hopefully sign up to an IT class at her local library in September. 

Debbie added: “Going through the training was very positive and I learned the wide variety of things technology can help with. Being a Digital Buddy volunteer is very rewarding as it is great to support people and see their IT confidence increase.”

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead for Wellbeing and Independence, said: “This is a great volunteer scheme which has made a big and positive difference to people’s lives during the pandemic. Being connected to your friends and loved ones has never been so important and I am grateful to see how much the Denbighshire Digital Buddies have helped communities in the county. 

“It is a very rewarding scheme for volunteers to join, as keeping everyone connected to each other is vital for mental health and wellbeing.

"If you know anyone that has a tablet or smartphone and needs help using it, for example, we would like to hear from you, and the person can be paired with a Digital Buddy." 

* Contact Gareth Jones on 01824 702441 or e-mail office@dvsc.co.uk for further information or if you would like to be a Digital Buddy.

Welsh Ambulance Service under 'extreme' pressure

Extreme pressures on the Welsh Ambulance Service yesterday meant it had to declare a ‘business continuity incident’.

The Trust has been receiving in the region of 2,000 calls per day via 999 for the last three days.

Incidents yesterday were nine per cent higher than predicted, up 11 per cent from last Monday (12 July, 2021) and up 29 per cent from the same Monday last year (20 July, 2020).

Immediately life-threatening ‘RED’ calls were also up by almost 30 per cent compared to last Monday.

Call volume, coupled with lengthy delays at hospitals across Wales, meant that demand on the service exceeded its capacity to respond.

As a result, some patients waited many hours for an ambulance.

The Trust put special arrangements in place to manage demand, including asking some patients to make an alternative arrangement, such as making their own way to hospital.

More than a fifth (21 per cent) of 999 calls yesterday were categorised as low acuity ‘GREEN’ calls and were subsequently assessed by NHS 111 Wales.

Among them was a person with a fish hook in their foot, a person who had caught their finger in a juicer and a person with diarrhoea.

Here are the some of the other headlines from yesterday –

1. Immediately life-threatening ‘RED’ calls were up by 29 per cent from last Monday, and up 175 per cent from the same Monday last year
2. The number one reason people called 999 yesterday was for breathing problems (13.4 per cent) followed by falls (13.3 per cent)
3. Around nine per cent of callers were also experiencing chest pain and seven per cent reported feeling faint
4. Calls to patients with breathing problems were up by 37 per cent when compared to last Monday
5. 516 hours were spent by ambulance crews at hospitals across Wales yesterday waiting to hand over patients

Director of Operations Lee Brooks said: “It’s very rare that we declare a business continuity incident and it’s not a decision that we take lightly – it’s a sign of a serious situation.

“Yesterday’s heat coupled with the delays at hospitals meant we reached a point in the early evening where demand actually overtook our capacity to respond in a safe and timely way.

“For anyone who had an excessive wait for an ambulance yesterday, we are very sorry for your experience and this is not the service we want to provide.

“While we’re in a more stable position today, we’re still experiencing extreme pressures right across Wales, and we need the public’s help.

“Please only call 999 if a life is on the line – that’s a cardiac arrest, chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking or catastrophic bleeding.

“If it’s not a life-threatening emergency, then it’s important that you use of the many alternatives to 999, starting with the symptom checkers on our NHS 111 Wales website as well as your GP, pharmacist and Minor Injuries Unit.”

Lee added his thanks to staff and volunteers across the service.

He added: “Our staff and volunteers in every corner of Wales and in every part of our service are working flat out to deliver the best service we can to people in Wales in very difficult conditions.

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to colleagues for the immense collective effort.”

Click here to read the ambulance service’s top tips for summer safety.

Minister impressed by railway's re-birth during visit today

llanblogger exclusive

* The Deputy Minister with railway board members and volunteers at Llangollen station.

* Board members and volunteers with the Deputy Minister on Berwyn station.

* Ms Bowden chats to railway volunteers on Llangollen station.

* The Deputy Minister is shown pictures of recent developments on the line by railway publicity officer George Jones.

The country cannot afford to lose heritage attractions such as Llangollen Railway, which is an organisation the Welsh Government wants to support, maintain and to see thrive.

That was the message from Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden MS, when she paid a whistle-stop visit to the line this afternoon (Tuesday).

Earlier this month the railway was awarded a grant of £143,290 from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, which is controlled by the Welsh Government, to aid its recovery from recent financial problems brought on first by closure due to the pandemic and then when the company which ran it plunged into receivership with debts of £350,000.

But thanks to massive efforts by the separate and solvent Llangollen Railway Trust the railway is now back up and running. 

As the first stage of its salvage operation it is currently running a diesel train between Llangollen and the next station along the line at Berwyn but has firm plans to bring back highly popular steam-hauled services early next month.

During her visit today the Deputy Minister was invited to take a trip aboard the Class 108 heritage diesel railcar and see for herself the progress that has been made since the railway's re-opening on July 9.

She was given a full update by members of the trust board and volunteers along the way.

The Deputy Minister said: "One of our commitments as the Welsh Government is to make sure that our tourism industry is in a position to be able to thrive after the pandemic.

"We want to support our tourist organisations. We have supported them in Llangollen because we recognise the importance that tourism has to this part of north Wales.

"Without the Llangollen Railway we'd be losing a huge asset, to the economy, to tourism and to jobs.

"So the importance of it is literally buying into our strategy for tourism in north Wales."

Asked if it was likely the railway would be getting any further Welsh Government support, the Deputy Minister said: "Where there is a need and where we believe that there is value for money we will continue to support organisations like this.

"We cannot afford to lose this kind of heritage scheme. Llangollen Railway says so much about the area, our railway heritage and it's absolutely something we want to support and maintain and to see thrive.

"That's what our contribution has been, It's been about making sure that the railway can survive and hopefully be a thriving, going concern for the future of the tourism industry and for Llangollen."

Ms Bowden said she had been "very impressed" by what she had been shown, adding: "It wasn't that long ago that the organisation went into administration and the trust has had to turn it around and build a business case.

"They've also had to get a business plan together and they've had to make all this work. It's to their true credit that they've been able to do all that.

"We've been able to help with this but it's these people on the ground that have turned it around."

One of those who greeted the Deputy Minister was trust vice-chairman Phil Coles.

He said: "It was a very successful visit. She was impressed by what she saw and heard and my parting comment to her was, 'don't be surprised if we come back and ask for more support in future,' and she said, 'by all means'.

"She said she was really impressed by what we have been doing but we've still got a long way to go.

"We've got to get the engineering going to get the trains further along the line and the icing on the cake will obviously be next March when we open all the way to Corwen.

"We've also got steam coming in early August, we hope."  

  

 

 

Police launch free community messaging service

Communities of North Wales can now keep up to date with personalised local policing news, following the launch of a brand new free messaging service - North Wales Community Alert.

North Wales Police are the first force in Wales to launch the alert system which has been funded as part of the Home Office Safer Streets Fund. 

The system is currently used by several other police forces in other parts of the UK and has seen positive results and greater engagement with communities.

North Wales Community Alert is quick and simple to sign up to and gives the public a voice in our neighbourhood policing priorities. 

The system includes a messaging service that allows users to tell police what really matters to them.

It is also a platform to gain a insight into police activity in local areas and what we are doing to tackle any issues. 

Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said: “We are delighted to launch North Wales Community Alert which will form a key part of our Local Policing. 

"It is a free messaging service for people who live and work in North Wales to help our communities to stay informed and up to date with news, alerts, appeals, engagement events and general policing activities from your local police teams.

“What makes North Wales Community Alert so useful is that individuals can choose what information they would like to receive from us and how they would like to receive it whether by email, text or voice message -  so they don't even need an internet connection - the choice is in their hands.

“North Wales Community Alert isn’t just a broadcast channel, where it is just us telling you. It is a two-way messaging system so that we have an additional route to listen to what our communities have to say.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin said: “North Wales Community Alert will give our communities a great opportunity to provide feedback to their local neighbourhood police team on the issues that matter most to them, helping us to work together to make North Wales the safest place in the UK.

“Local Police officers will be raising awareness of the scheme and I encourage residents, businesses and community groups to sign up to the system.

“Please take some time to register with North Wales Community Alert, it is quick, simple and completely free.”

* You can register by visiting North Wales Community Alert

Last chance to help county draft plan for next five years

Denbighshire County Council is developing a new Corporate Plan with the help of local residents who have taken part by providing their feedback.

Every five years the council creates a new Corporate Plan to realign its focus and plan how its services can best work together for up to five years.

The County Conversation consultation process gives residents the chance to provide their feedback. It is split into two key phases: the first phase (happening now) seeks to establish what people feel the council’s priorities should be.

This will then be used to create the new Corporate Plan which reflects the opinions of how local residents want to see Denbighshire improve as a place to live, work and visit. 

The new plan will then be consulted on fully at a later date.

The council is encouraging everyone to get involved in this first phase of the County Conversation before the deadline of July 31.

Topics raised so far in the County Conversation include supporting the community, climate change, education, training and job opportunities and activities for young people.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, the council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “It is great that so many residents have already got involved in the County Conversation.

“This plan is created for everyone in Denbighshire so it is important that as many residents as possible have their say on shaping the Corporate Plan and the priorities for the next five years.

We have already received great feedback from residents which will help us ensure that the plan’s focus represents what is most important to our communities, however I would encourage anyone that hasn’t already to get involved.”

The County Conversation survey is being run online until July 31 2021. Paper copies are also available to collect and return from libraries and being distributed to home library service users until then.

To take part and have your say, visit https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/596 to complete the online survey.

 

Latest Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is: 

Q: I’ve heard that Universal Credit is going to be cut from September. I struggle to get by as it is and I’m really worried that if I lose £20 a week, I’ll get into serious debt. I’m already behind on some of my bills. What can I do to avoid things getting worse? 

A: You’re not alone in this - there is support available. 

Firstly, depending on your situation, you might be able to ask to have your Universal Credit paid differently - these are called ‘alternative payment arrangements’. This might be an option if you’re in debt or rent arrears, among other reasons. To apply for an alternative payment arrangement, call the Universal Credit helpline on: 0800 328 5644/

If you’re behind on some of your bills, the first step is to make a list of how much you owe and add up how much you need to pay each month. 

You now need to prioritise your debts. We have advice on our website to help you do this. Some bills can cause you more problems than others if you don’t pay them. Rent or mortgage arrears, energy bills and council tax are your priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. 

Be sure to get in touch with the organisations you owe money to. Not everyone feels confident to do this, but they might be able to help by letting you pay smaller amounts or taking a break from payments. Many organisations have put in place protections for people who’ve struggled to pay their bills during the pandemic. 

The government-backed Breathing Space scheme could also give you extra time. If you’re eligible, you could get 60 days where your creditors can’t contact you, take action to make you pay, or add interest and charges to your debt. You'll need to get advice from a debt adviser first - they’ll check all your debts to see if they’re covered by the scheme. 

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a budget - take a look at the budgeting tool on our website and make sure you’re getting all the income you’re entitled to. 

Everyone’s circumstances are different, particularly when it comes to managing personal finances. If you need more specific support or don’t feel able to manage your situation alone, call our debt helpline: 0800 240 4420.

Self-isolating workers 'greater danger than Covid', says care boss

 

* Keri Llewellyn, the vice-chair of Care Forum Wales.

The increasing number of care workers self-isolating is potentially more of a danger to vulnerable people in Wales than the Covid-19 virus, a social care leader has warned.

According to Keri Llewellyn, the vice chair of Care Forum Wales, they were getting reports of care homes and domiciliary care companies where 40 per cent of the staff were at having to quarantine at home.

As a result, a growing number of providers were struggling to give the required level of care  – and the situation was only going to get worse with Covid cases skyrocketing.

Social services departments were being affected by the same problem which meant that there were no staff reinforcements from there available.

Although, thankfully, the number of people falling seriously ill and needing hospital treatment was falling, Care Forum Wales was concerned that some care home residents and people receiving care in their own homes could be at risk.

They were by definition in fragile health and often needed a high level of care.

The situation was already having a knock-on impact on the NHS because the reduced capacity of domiciliary care companies and care homes was making it increasingly difficult to discharge hospital patients back into the community.

The Welsh Government has announced that from August 7 fully-vaccinated people will not need to self-isolate if they come in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

 

Care Forum Wales say they are looking forward to discussing with the Welsh Government what this means for social care and any additional measures for staff working in health and care settings.

 

Ms Llewellyn, who is also managing director of home care provider All-Care which works across South Wales, said: “I’m up to 40 per cent of staff not working at any given time at the moment, which is huge.

“Clearly, we’re in the third wave and the infection rate is rising but it’s not got the same feel because it’s not as bad and the hospitals are not as affected, but capacity has gone right through the floor.

“We can’t carry on providing the same service to everyone in the community while we’ve got that many staff off. 

“They can’t get people out of hospital clearly, so there’s already a backlog to free up hospitals because they can’t move them on to having care because nobody has the capacity.

“We’re facing a perfect storm. As well as the increasing number of people self-isolating.

“Over the past year or so child care has often been provided by partners on furlough but with people back in work that’s not an option either.”

The concern was echoed by Care Forum Wales chief executive Mary Wimbury who said: “Everybody is seeing increased pressure.

“Even though at the height of the pandemic things were very much worse in terms of severe illness, because we are opening up many more people are putting themselves in situations where they’re potentially being exposed to Covid and they’re having to self-isolate.

“As a result the number of people self-isolating is also on a steep upward curve.

“Schools are now open and we know lots of infections are coming through them which means that parents have to self-isolate.

“Even if the child is a contact and not actually infected it can still take some of the workforce out because of child care issues.

“As part of the easing of restrictions, the Welsh Government have said that people who are fully vaccinated will not need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive from August 7 onwards.

“The vast majority of social care staff are fully vaccinated as are the people receiving care.

“We’ve got some positive data on vaccinated people reducing transmission but if you’re caring for vulnerable people the risk is still there, even though it’s reduced.

“According to Professor David John Spiegelhalter, an eminent expert on understanding risk, a vaccinated 80 year old has the same risk as an unvaccinated 50 year old, so the risk has not gone away.

“We will be discussing with the Welsh Government the arrangements they have suggested will need to be in place for those in the care sector who would previously have been required to self-isolate after being in contact with somebody who has Covid.”

“Caution should still be the watchword in Wales but we have also got to be in a position where we can deliver services.

“We are very concerned providers we are going to reach a point where vulnerable people are at risk because there are not enough staff to care for them.

“I think that’s the biggest risk currently for the sector. You can’t function without people to provide care and that potentially is a bigger danger than the virus currently.

“There were staffing issues in social care before the pandemic struck and this is having a massive knock on effect. It’s making things really difficult.

“There needs to be some serious number crunching and working out how to balance all these different pressures to determine the best possible solution.”