Rants, swipes and articles of this nature
Over the past few weeks the Leader of the Council has made statements, sometimes quite lengthy ones about all sorts of issues.
I am quite happy to have updates on the Covid-19 Pandemic and how it impacts the Borough and the Council. However the Leader of the Council has now taken to having a swipe at anyone and anything he feels fit to speak about.
You have also reported these in your Paper, so can I suggest a new title for your articles of this nature. As the Leader of the Council lives in the far north of the Borough in Remenham. Can I suggest they are called “RANTS FROM REMENHAM”.
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on WBC
Marie Curie is here for you this Christmas
With Christmas just around the corner, this year more than ever we will want to celebrate and spend quality time with the people we love, even if that might look different than we expected.
People who are approaching end of life or coping with a bereavement might find the festive season a difficult and overwhelming time of year.
More than one million people in the UK are expected to be caring for someone with a terminal illness this Christmas, during what could be their last one together. Millions of people have also been bereaved since lockdown began and with every death, comes grieving friends and family.
Many of your readers in these situations may find themselves struggling to cope with the demands and pressures of the festive season or feel isolated and don’t know who or where to turn to for extra support.
Marie Curie trained Support Line Officers can provide practical information on everything from managing day-to-day with a terminal illness, to planning ahead. We also offer emotional support if someone needs a safe space to talk. We have a dedicated bereavement service where callers will be paired with a volunteer, who can offer a regular listening ear, as well as a Check-in and Chat befriending service that lets you arrange a call back from our support line at a time that suits you, whether you need support or just someone to talk to.
If your readers have been affected by dying, death and bereavement and need support over Christmas and New Year, then please urge them to contact Marie Curie for free on 0800 090 2309.
Alternatively, visit mariecurie.org.uk/support to chat online or to find out other ways we can support you.
The support line is also open to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals dealing with end of life care this Christmas. Our online information platform, the Palliative Care Knowledge Zone, includes guidance for professionals on palliative care which is updated regularly.
Marie Curie Information and Support Line Christmas opening hours:
- 21, 22 & 23 December (8am – 6pm)
- 24 December (10am – 4pm)
- 25 & 26 December (10am – 2pm)
- 27 December (closed)
- 28 December (10am- 4pm)
- 29 December (8am – 6pm)
- 30 December (8am – 6pm)
- 31 December (10am – 4pm)
- 1 January (10am – 2pm)
- 2 January (11am – 5pm)
- 3 January (closed)
Matt Williams, Marie Curie Head of Information and Support
Give carers a helping hand this Christmas
For many of us, the festive season is a time for giving and sharing.
I’d like to take a moment to share with your readers how in choosing to give to our charity, Revitalise, based in Chigwell, Essex, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of the disabled people and carers that we support.
As a charity we know that however tricky this past year has been, life is about spending time with the people we love, and everyday life can so easily get in the way of that.
Hilary has cared for her son Shaun since he had an accident on holiday in Ibiza, aged 19. Caring is simply something she does for the person she loves.
As she explains: “For the last 15 years I’ve been caring for Shaun but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a carer, it’s just something I do as his mum.
I’m never, ever, going to give up on my son. Life is too short you know; you need to keep fighting.”
On top of the difficulties this year has presented, disabled people and the elderly have also been left with far less support than usual, as the Emergency Coronavirus Act allowed Local Authorities to axe their duty of care responsibilities. Feeling vulnerable and abandoned, many carers are close to breaking point.
This is why we have launched our campaign, Care For Carers and the fundraiser Raise a Million, aiming to raise £1 million to support carers and their loved ones to access respite care breaks following lockdown.
We have provided respite care breaks – a vital lifeline to so many unpaid home carers and their disabled loved ones – for over 57 years.
So, why not pledge to give something special to our charity this festive season?
I am so proud to work for Revitalise as we amplify the voice of carers, and will continue to do so until carers stories are heard. Please support our campaign if you can, and help us spread the word about the struggles carers are facing right now.
To find out more about Revitalise, our breaks, or the ways that we may be able to support guests, please visit: www.revitalise.org.uk or call: 0303 303 0145.
Devon Prosser, Revitalise
CHRISTMAS WISH
Dearest Father Christmas
This year my wants are few
I’m busy going nowhere
And there’s nothing much to do
So bring perfumed sanitiser
And a mask with pretty flowers
And perhaps a little puzzle book
To while away the hours
But there is one special present
That would mean so much to me
If you could bring a vaccine
So the world is Covid free
And dear Father Christmas
In your magic I believe
We know you fly around the earth
Each year on Christmas Eve
So if anyone can do it
Distribute vaccine far and near
To global destinations
And free us all from fear
It’s you, dear Father Christmas
With your reindeer and your sleigh
Put some vaccine in our stockings
And we’ll rejoice on Christmas Day
Jean Hill
