Local News & Events 

ACC free Counselling Service for Frontline workers

After being approached by the NHS, the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) has set up a Volunteer Counselling service for Frontline workers in the NHS, Care Homes and other Frontline Services and any individual who has been traumatically affected psychologically and mentally or is suffering from loss or grief as a direct result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
There is no age limit. People who would like to take up this service can self refer themselves to the ACC and they will be assessed confidentially by a Case Manager, who will then refer them to a Volunteer Counsellor.
The Volunteer Counsellors are all professionally trained and are mainly Christian Counsellors. However there are a number of other Counsellors from different faiths or no faith who have also offered to volunteer their service.

Click on this link ACC Direct Referral Leaflet to access the leaflet for all the information about how you can can access this service.

Help the Salvation Army  Food Bank Update

At the beginning of April we discovered that the Food Bank was in need of more donations. With restricted shopping and several of their usual collection places closed (eg St Mary's)  they were struggling to feed the increasing number of needy households. Following the system set up by a resident in Seckford Street we began by leafleting our neighbours and collecting donations, left at the end of drives, 9.15 am each Thursday morning and delivering them straight to the Salvation Army. As demand grew we extended this to all of Through Duncans and Anderson Way for all of May.  People have been very generous and one neighbour's mother has now set up a similar scheme in Warren Hill Road. 
It has been very easy to organise and complete, taking less than an hour each Thursday
Captain Alan Hill  tells us they are feeding more than ever and despite donations from supermarkets and FairShare they would still welcome street collections. We are giving our neighbours a break and will do our last collection, for now,  on 28th May. Obviously anyone can take things directly to the Salvation Army or put them in the Co-op collecting boxes but we were concerned about the impact on the Salvation Army and asked for help from members of St John's. 
Our plea was answered by Sophie, who has set up a scheme around her part of Woodbridge, running for a month, and Jane who is going to make a collection in Waldringfield. It would be brilliant if we could continue collect even more each week or at least have volunteers to collect when Sophie gives her neighbours a break.
Could you set up a similar scheme in your road for a time? If you are interested do contact us and we can share in more detail. 

Many thanks

Cathie & Julian Taylor    01394 387102    cathietaylor2@gmail.com

Sophie Charlton             07757 730680     sophie.charlton@hotmail.co.uk 

Daily Hope free phone line 

 

Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line number 0800 804 8044, the line is available 24 hours a day and has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.


 

Suffolk Carers Matter

Feeling Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed? 
If you or someone you know is feeling anxious or overwhelmed, the resources below are designed to help and you may wish to share them with people via email or on social media:
Click on the links below for further information
                             Church of England Reflections
                             Church of England 5 Top Tips

Home, but not alone 

We are urged to rally together as local COVID-19 app is launched to connect volunteers and people who need help.

A new Suffolk-focused community  service has been set up to support  people who need help during the  COVID-19 pandemic.



Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.

The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support.

As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with Government social distancing guidelines.

You can download the free app, called Tribe Volunteer from Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board.

COVID-19

The Current government guidance can be found using the link below

        STAY ALERT, CONTROL THE VIRUS, SAVE LIVES

As the advice is constantly being updated please always refer to the government website or NHS.

We continue to serve you In Christ during this challenging time, looking to be church family together and neighbour to those around us.

Citizens Advice Leiston can be contacted if you need help or support

A message from Chiara Saunders, the new Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Leiston, Saxmundham and District.