Bulletin Thursday 29 October 2020

Don’t let the flu get you – get vaccinated

Health leaders across Bolton have called on everyone to play their part and get a flu jab ahead of a critical winter for the NHS.

This winter, as the borough continues to battle the COVID-19 virus, it is vital that as many of us as possible get a flu jab to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

Bolon Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines, said: “For many of us, this will be the most critical flu season in our lifetimes, and I urge anyone who is eligible for a flu jab to get one as soon as possible.”

Plans to allow care home visits in Bolton

Bolton residents could soon visit loved-ones in care homes under plans being drawn up by health and social care leaders.

Bolton Council has pushed for the definition of “exceptional circumstances” to be expanded so more people can visit residents in care homes.

It has now been confirmed that window visits, or visits in a garden pod, can resume where an appropriate and robust risk assessment is in place.

Stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night

Bolton Council is reminding residents to keep themselves and their families safe as they celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night this year.

Here are some safer ways to enjoy Halloween this year:

• Halloween hunt - why not do a Halloween themed treat hunt around the home or garden?
• Watch a scary movie – hold a Halloween film night with your household
• Pumpkin carving – carve and decorate pumpkins with members of your household

Please follow the advice:

• Avoid door-to-door trick or treating
• Do not meet with other households indoors or in private gardens
• Only meet people outdoors in public spaces in groups of up to six

Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities

There is updated guidance about keeping customers and users of sports and gym/leisure facilities safe.

Greater Manchester comes together to launch oneGM campaign

A new campaign to unite Greater Manchester has been launched, called oneGM.

People can donate to local charities and voluntary organisations through the campaign.

oneGM has brought together the public, private, charity, social enterprise, faith, sport and cultural sectors, in support of people and businesses facing a challenging time as a result of the Covid restrictions.

The journey of a swab- what happens with your COVID-19 test

The government has published about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) testing process works including what happens after you have submitted your swab and how the laboratories process your test.

Support for Bolton’s ethnic minority communities

Bolton is proud of its diverse voluntary and community sector which strives to meet the needs of all people living or working in the borough. Bolton Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) is here to support the groups and organisations delivering these services and help connect people with them.  

An available leaflet details some of the organisations providing services specifically for people from our Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Refugee and Asylum Seekers (BAMER) communities.

Free online training sessions about cancer

Every year thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer. We know that the earlier a cancer is detected, the better the outcome for the people involved. Early detection and cancer screening saves lives.

Answer Cancer, the Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme aims to raise awareness. Have a look at what online training is available.

Road poppies ensure we will never forget

Bolton will commemorate Remembrance Sunday this year with specially designed poppy markings on roads across the borough.

Twelve poppy signs with the wording ‘Lest We Forget’ are being painted near war memorials across the borough, or on roads where parades would have taken place. 

Local highways contractor, Kays Traffic Management, offered to install the markings free of charge as a way of helping residents remember those who have died in conflicts around the globe.

A small church service will be held at Bolton Parish Church on Remembrance Sunday, November 8. 

Attendance at the service will be limited to meet government COVID-19 guidelines and will be by invitation only with priority being given to Armed Forces organisations.

Members of the public will be able to watch the service live via https://www.bolton.gov.uk/remembrance and it will also be broadcast live on Bolton FM.

For the latest updates