• The number of people testing positive for covid in West Lancs risen sharply this week. Over the last 7 days to February 3rd, 2698 people tested positive - compared to 926 people last week– an increase of 190% on the week before.

• It is not yet clear what is causing this sudden increase but it's not due to increased testing as the number of tests conducted in West Lancs was down by 9% last week. 

• The situation is mirrored in other areas of the North West including Burnley, Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester.  The picture will become clearer as more data becomes available early next week.

• Across the UK as a whole, cases are still falling slightly but much more slowly now.  The highest case rates are still in the 5-19 year old age group. 

• The good news is that rates of hospital admissions and deaths (both locally and nationally) are continuing to fall, and this week the number of patients in mechanical ventilation beds in the UK fell below 500 for the first time since mid-July last year.

• See the situation in your postcode here.

1.  Fourth jab:  people aged 16 and over who are severely immunosuppressed can now book their covid booster online.

Around 400,000 people are eligible to get a fourth jab at least three months after their third dose.

See more information here.

2.  5 to 11-year-olds who are in a clinical risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed are eligible for the covid vaccine. 

Parents and guardians should wait to be contacted. 

Find out more here. 

3.  It was announced this week that the legal requirement for health and social care staff to be double jabbed is to be removed, and regulations which had made vaccines a condition of deployment are set to be revoked.

The government will shortly launch a consultation around the issue instead:   https://www.gov.uk/government/...

• 116 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given in England.

• More than 37.3 million adults have now had a booster and more than 91% of over-50s have been boosted. 

• And it's never too late - the vaccination programme is open to everyone, with first and second doses still available.

• If you’re one of the four million people who tested positive with Covid in December, and had to delay your booster, you can Get Boosted Now. 
• It’s still a good idea to get your booster jab for stronger and longer-lasting immunity.
• Adults can have a booster so long as it’s at least 91 days since 2nd dose, plus at least 28 days since a positive test.

• Who can get the covid vaccination?

• How do I book an appointment?

• Where are the nearest vaccine drop-in clinics? 

• Where are this week's temporary 'pop-up' clinics?

• Find out where to collect FREE lateral flow tests here. Or

• Order FREE home testing kits online here.

If you test positive: The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme is still available for eligible West Lancs residents until 31 March 2022.  Find out more here

Lift someone out of loneliness

Loneliness can affect us all, young or old, at any point in our lives - and the pandemic has seen a massive increase in this issue.

The NHS has launched a new campaign called 'Lift someone out of loneliness' and has lots of advice and help resources here.

Help with mental help

If you or a loved one need help with low mood and mental health, the Crisis Line is available 24/7 for professional support.

Call 0800 953 0110 or you can self-refer to the Mindsmatter service and chat to a therapist.  Find more information here.

There are also lots of local organisations in West Lancs that can help.  Find out more on our website here:   www.wlcvs.org/community...

Support for veterans

Birchwood is running a monthly Veterans Hub to help connect and support veterans and serving personnel in a relaxed, safe and social environment.

The hub is held at West Lancs Butchers Diner on the first Saturday of every month between 10am – 12pm. 

The next one is this Saturday 5th February.

All veterans get a free full English breakfast with tea and/or coffee and can get information and support on a range of issues including:

• Housing/ homelessness
• Benefits/ Welfare
• Employment
• Events and projects
• counselling services/ Mental health/ wellbeing support

For more information, contact David Scott on 07759 080865 / david.scott@wlcrisiscentre.org.uk

Children’s Mental Health Week

Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week (7th-13th February 2022) and landmarks across the region will be lit green to highlight the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

The theme of this year's Children’s Mental Health Week is Growing Together and the Place2Be group who organises Children’s Mental Health Week each year has some resources available for schools and those working with children here

Volunteer as a Befriender

Can you spare an hour or two a week to visit a lonely older person in their home, or accompany them to a coffee morning or similar? 

Your companionship would make a real difference, and most volunteer befrienders find their role rewarding. 

Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Helpers are looking for Befrienders to volunteer in Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and surrounding areas.  Training will be provided and reasonable travel expenses paid. 

For further information contact Jan at the CVS Volunteer Centre on 07598 552945 or email janice@wlcvs.org 

Donate to a local Food Bank

If you're out shopping this weekend, Skelmersdale Food Bank is needing donation of a range of items including pasta sauce, sugar, coffee, toothpaste.  Have a look at the full list here.

For a food bank near you, please see the list on our website: www.wlcvs.org/community...

More opportunities to volunteer

There's lots of organisations across the Borough in need of volunteers to help out.

Here's some of the hundreds of opportunities on offer at the Volunteer Centre this week:

Lots of voluntary sector groups have exciting activities for anyone wanting to re-engage with their communities and connect with other people:

Walk with Parbold, Newburgh & District U3A

The walking group meets twice a month on Saturday mornings and usually finishes at a hostelry of some sort to have a cuppa and a natter afterwards.  

Walks are usually between 2 and 4 miles and vary in difficulty.  Last week's brilliant walk was around Astley Hall gardens and woods. 

If you're interested in joining in, email Tony for details of the next walk via the website: https://u3asites.org.uk/parbol...

Visit the Makers Market

Local community organisation 'Made in WN8' helps people seek out and buy locally made items, and runs a regular Makers Market in Skelmersdale's Concourse Shopping Centre.

The next Makers Market is this Saturday 5th February 10am-4pm.  Find out more here.

Get creative at family Graffiti Workshop

West Lancs Family Learning Festival in collaboration with West Lancashire College, primary schools and families & community groups is delivering lots of fantastic family activities across Skelmersdale.

Check out the family graffiti workshop which is free of charge - with an evening meal provided!

To book, email westlancsflf@gmail.com or find out more here.

Can you help us get the word out?

We are working with West Lancashire Borough Council to get accurate information into the heart of communities and would be grateful if you could pass this on to your networks.

Please join in these efforts by cascading these messages on to your work colleagues, friends and families using the share buttons below: