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Coronavirus updates

The Corona Virus epidemic is making changes to all of our lives, and following the cirrent advice isn't always easy - but it is important to do so as much as we can.

There are many local organisations gathering to offer help, if you are self-isolating and need help, or simply need to speak to a friendly voice.

We will be publishing details of local organisations as we hear of them:

Teignbridge Council website is a good place to start if you have any questions

and Devon County Council have information about schools and more.

The latest medical advice from the NHS is here.

Local councillors are working with the organisations locally to help, so please contact your local councillor if you need help.

How you can help others

If you would like to help your neighbours, our community and those vulnerable, we recommend the following in the first instance:

  • Let your nearest neighbours, maybe the nearest 5 - 10 know your contact details so that they can call you if they need help. You will be someone known to them, a familiar face rather than a stranger. (Sadly we must still be aware of safeguarding concerns even at this time).
  • Set up or join street level or Resident's Association level WhatsApp groups, Google Groups, Private Facebook Groups or email chains to help connect those offering help with those needing help at a micro level. Some have already done this (particularly Residents' Associations), and they are the optimum way of turning offers into action.
  • Some of the existing facebook groups we know of in Newton Abbot Town are Our Fairways, Hele Park Community, Jetty Marsh Residents Group, Orleigh Cross Residents Group, Buckland Estate and Proud of It, and Newton AbbotCovid-19 Mutual Aid - Other towns and villages have set up similar groups
  • Do not buy too much produce or goods. Those that are most vulnerable are left even more vulnerable if our stores are bare of the essentials. Several supermarkets have over 70's only shopping hours, check their websites.
  • Donate to foodbanks. Panic buying has led to a reduction in the number of donations to local foodbanks when they need them more than ever, so please do donate what you can. Many people on lower incomes or zero hour contracts are likely to struggle more now than ever. If you are self-isolating and wish to help you can donate online to both foodbanks.
  • HITS Foodbank https://hitsfoodbank.org/contact-us/ info@hitsfoodbank.org Tel 01626 906371 (Hits Food Bank are looking for more volunteers especially evening drivers)
  • THAT Foodbank https://www.thatfoodbank.com/ mailto:thatfoodbank@gmail.com Tel 01626 437310 (THAT need more volunteers and donations)

Helping us to help you

As councillors we want to assist in facilitating resources where we can, by putting together a resource list, but we need your help to do so.

Please send us details of the local street/community communication group or mailing list you have setup, as well as a primary contact for this group so that we can direct people that contact us or known vulnerable residents to it if they are in your area.

Contact us if:

  • you are a community or volunteer group and would like our support in any way;
  • you are a local business or trader that is helping as part of your business, such as with local deliveries.
  • Please let us have any information about the community response to the coronavirus, that you would like us to share in our next email newsletter. Please shae this email with others.

We cannot cover everything in this post, so will try to answer any questions on things we have missed as we can, however, please appreciate that some of our councillors are already, or are likely to be self isolating themselves as well.

Please do always take the NHS and Government's advice as the primary source of information and recommendation for how to act in the coming weeks:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Other help can be found at,

CAB citizensadviceteignbridge.org.uk Tel 0344 411 1444

Federation of Small Businesses https://www.fsb.org.uk/ Tel 0808 20 20 888

We will provide you updates on this as regularly as we can.

Thank you,

News...

  • George Floyd cannot be just another name
    Article: Jun 1, 2020

    In the week since the death of George Floyd in the United States, the grief and anger of black communities in the US and closer to home has been clear.

    The Liberal Democrats extend our solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement.

    Protests against the killing of black people by police have erupted everywhere from Floyd's home state of Minneapolis, USA, to the UK, Japan, and New Zealand. The world knows George Floyd's name, and his death has fuelled a movement to end police violence against black people.

  • Liberal Democrats will push the government on Hong Kong
    Article: May 29, 2020

    Our late former Leader Paddy Ashdown argued at the time of the Hong Kong handover that without the added right to live in the UK for those holding British National Overseas (BNO) Passports, Beijing could ignore the Joint Declaration.

    We have a duty to act and protect those we vowed we would.

    In 2020, this is becoming a tragic reality. 'Beijing's new law will trample over the 'one country, two systems' framework, crushing Hong Kong's autonomy.

  • England Coronavirus leaflets bulk-buy deal FAQs
    Article: May 29, 2020

    With social-distancing rules relaxing in England we are able to start delivering leaflets again, and we want to help people do that.

    That's why the LDHQ Campaigns & Elections Team have now produced a Coronavirus Focus template for seats in England - find the answer to all your questions below.

    If you would like to take advantage of the bulk buy print deal or the Royal Mail paid delivery option, you need to complete this form by 5pm, Friday 5th June.

  • The Prime Minister must terminate Cummings' contract
    Article: May 26, 2020

    Millions of people are worried for their loved ones. They have made heartbreaking sacrifices every day since lockdown, including missing family gatherings like weddings and funerals.

    People are rightly angry about Dominic Cummings' behaviour. It cannot be one rule for senior government officials and one rule for everyone else

  • We must oppose Beijing's power grab.
    Article: May 26, 2020

    We cannot allow coronavirus to blind us to the injustice that is unfolding on Hong Kong.

    Beijing's new national security law is a naked power-grab. It bypasses Hong Kong local law-making processes and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the Joint Declaration. Clearly China no longer cares for the 'one country, two systems' agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.

  • leader
    New Liberal Democrat Leader Elected this August
    Article: May 26, 2020

    In a meeting on May the 19th the Federal Board agreed an updated timetable for the Liberal Democrat leadership election, how we'll run our autumn conference, respond to the election review and start updating our technology. Learn more about this here.

  • General election 2019 large
    General Election Review Published
    Article: May 26, 2020

    Following the 2019 General Election, the Federal Board commissioned Dorothy Thornhill and her team of fourteen to conduct an independent review of the Party's performance.

    The Liberal Democrats are committed to a fair and open society and reflect that in our internal approach to transparency and accountability. The resulting report is therefore available here in its entirety.

  • Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating!
    Article: May 25, 2020

    I would like to send warm wishes to Muslims in the UK and around the world celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

    Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan - a month of prayer, personal reflection, and self-denial.

    I'm sure that this Ramadan must have felt unusual and I know that observing a socially distanced Eid will not be easy either.

  • UK must stand up for Hong Kong
    Article: May 22, 2020

    It has been confirmed that Beijing is introducing a resolution that would bypass Hong Kong local law-making processes in order to impose a new 'national security law' on the territory.

    We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms.

    It is clear that China no longer cares for the 'one country, two systems' agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.

  • The Weekly Whip
    Article: May 22, 2020

    Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.

    For up to date information from the Lib Dem Whips Office, follow us on Twitter: @LibWhips

    Weekly Whip w/c 18th April

    Monday 18th May

    Monday started with Ministerial Questions to the Treasury and the Department for Transport. Where Munira Wilson questioned the government on what they are doing to protect the aviation industry and prevent the loss of jobs in that sector.

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