Harrogate support helpline Just B is ‘Hear to Help’

Just B, the bereavement and counselling service run by St Michael’s Hospice, has encouraged those who are struggling to reach out.

The ‘Hear to Help’ initiative was launched by Just B, a service provided by Saint Michaels Hospice, as a response to covid-19. The community support line helps those feeling anxious or struggling emotionally during lockdown.

Numbers have risen during lockdown, and the specialist team is now answering calls for a wide range of needs, including bereavement, mental health troubles and relationship worries.

Read more: 

Tony Collins, chief executive of Just B, said:

“We have all been challenged over the last few months by the ever-changing situation caused by coronavirus. As lockdown rules see some relaxation and a new normal begins to emerge, it stands to reason that different worries and concerns may appear as well all adjust to the changes in our daily lives.”

Just B has also joined with other charities as part of the NHS Staff Support Initiative which provides help to frontline NHS staff who are experiencing the devastating effects of Covid-19.

The Hear to Help support-line is available to all ages and lines are open between 8am-8pm, seven days a week. To speak to a specialist support worker call 01423 856799. 

Visible return of rough sleeping in Harrogate as lockdown eases

With more tents and sleeping bags on the streets, there has been a visible return of homeless people and rough sleepers around Harrogate.

Back at the start of the lockdown, the government rolled out the ‘Everyone’s in’ scheme to put people in hostels, hotels, and B&Bs.

Harrogate Borough Council housed its homeless community in hostels in the town as well as hostels and hotels in Leeds as part of that scheme.

Both the council and the Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP) worked with them to give them medication, food, laundry facilities, showers, and around 25 mobile phones.

Read more:

Neither the charity nor the local authority believes that there has been an actual rise in homeless numbers, just that some people in temporary accommodation are venturing out more.

Liz Hancock, the chief executive of HHP, told The Stray Ferret:

“We have been working hard to maintain our services during coronavirus while also keep our staff and clients safe. We do have worries about the mental health of those shielding when they are stuck inside for so long, we have distributed puzzles, books, and colouring activities to help.”

She added that she is worried about the homeless people it looks after venturing outside more and potentially bringing coronavirus back into its hostels.

But Liz Hancock also insisted that when the ‘Everyone’s in’ scheme comes to an end, homeless people will not just be turned out onto the streets. What happens next is up to the council.

What is the council’s homeless plan?

With the £3.2 billion ‘Everyone’s in’ scheme comes to an end soon, the council will work with those in temporary accommodation to find a more permanent place.

Part of the council’s plan is to get more people into Avondale Hostel, which it has just bought. It plans to renovate the building and make sure that it is only families living there.

This is the plan for the Spa Lane hostel.

Another key part is the council’s new hostel on Spa Lane. The construction works have been delayed and the expected completion date of October has been moved back to early next year.

Cllr Mike Chambers, the cabinet member for safer communities, told The Stray Ferret:

“It was a major challenge bringing in rough sleepers, we do not have that many but we do have some. We managed to make sure that all those who wanted to come inside could do. We will give everyone in temporary accommodation an opportunity to get more permanent accommodation.”

Starbeck roadworks cause ‘worry and stress’ for wheelchair user

A Starbeck woman who uses a wheelchair has told The Stray Ferret that recent roadworks carried out in her area caused her a lot of worry and stress when they blocked her driveway with no notice.

FibreNation, a network provider, and SCD, a construction contractor, have carried out work in the Starbeck area.

Although pedestrian walkways were put in place, disabled users were not able to access them due to the lack of dropped curbs and narrow walkways.

Charlotte Claydon from Starbeck told The Stray Ferret that the recent roadworks have been a “nightmare”. She said:

“When they blocked off my driveway, I couldn’t see any workers in sight. Thankfully a passer-by in their car stopped and got out and went to find the nearest workman.”

Image showing the entrance to her driveway blocked off.

Read more: 

The recent roadworks have also affected her everyday activities and have caused significant stress. She added:

“I walk my dog everyday and at one point I was unable to get onto the pavement because the temporary walkways weren’t wide enough. It makes my leisurely dog walk a bit of a nightmare. It adds to my stress, I get anxious anyway and having to plan my route even more makes it more difficult.”

Pedestrian walkways put in place are too narrow for her wheelchair.

When asked about this issue, SCD, which was carrying out work at the time, said their teams leave sufficient room for wheelchair and mobility scooters at entrances and walk boards and said that they “maintain wheelchair access at all times”.

Fibre Nation who were also carrying out works at the time has since told The Stray Ferret that they were not aware of any concerns that were raised. They said:

“In order for FibreNation to put the Starbeck community at the forefront of connectivity, our works must be undertaken in accordance with legislation, specifically the New Roads & Streetworks Act 1991. We adhere to a code of practice which outlines the specific requirements for the establishment and maintenance of work sites when carrying out our vital works.

FibreNation, Build Partners and the local authority all conduct frequent works inspections to assure compliance however should there be any concerns about a specific work site then contact should be made to our Careline, providing as much detail as possible so we can address any issues as quickly as possible.”

No new coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital

Today’s statistics from the NHS, which show no new deaths at Harrogate District Hospital, comes after the total number of reported deaths of patients of coronavirus yesterday rose to 80.

A further 26 people, who tested positive for the covid, have died. It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,318. 5 were in the Yorkshire and North East region.

Read More:

Patients who’s deaths were reported today were aged between 61 and 94 years old.   All patients had underlying health conditions.

Strayside Sunday: Insipid Liberal Democrats aren’t serving the public

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political column written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party:

The Liberal Democrats used to be hugely effective local campaigners.  Not least here in Harrogate where Phil, now Baron Willis of Knaresborough, was a formidable and highly popular Liberal Democrat MP.  Willis served 13 years in parliament and retired ahead of the 2010 election.  From potholes to streetlights, and from parking to dog poo – no issue that affected the daily lives of residents was too small for the Lib Dems to champion.

During these past few months of crisis, the local Lib Dems insipid contribution has largely been to criticise our MPs for returning to Westminster, suggesting the creation of Covid Recovery Response Teams, calling on Harrogate council to declare a climate emergency (something that has even proven beyond Greta Thunberg), and worrying about the council’s “abysmal communication.”

Granted, it is difficult to make any real political impression when you occupy just 7 seats on a council of 40, but an effective Lib Dem opposition should look to serve as a locus for local issues, campaigns and activism, and attempt to frame and lead local political debate.  Let’s hope they can shake their somnolence in the months to come.  The people of Harrogate need a functioning opposition.

In last week’s column I argued against Harrogate Council’s plan to create a Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) to manage the area’s sport centres and deliver leisure services across the district.  On Wednesday evening, the 7 Conservative members of the council’s cabinet approved unanimously plans to create the new company, called ‘Brimham Active.’  This will now be put to a full vote of the council on July 8th.  If the council rubberstamps cabinet’s recommendation, as the thumping Conservative majority will surely do, it will be a decision taken in the face of public opinion, that was sought through a ‘consultation’ exercise, bought and paid for with public, read our, money.

During my professional life in politics and communication I have written, conducted and commissioned a myriad of polls, surveys and consultations. From experience, I can tell you there is no legitimate basis upon which the leisure service consultation results can be interpreted as supportive of the council’s privatisation plan.  Of 433 opinions sought, just 27% of us agreed with the council’s scheme.  That’s just 117 Harrogate residents who support £300,000 in venture start-up costs and borrowings of £26m to fund the facilities upgrades on which the plan for leisure depends.  In fact, the balance of public opinion was undeniably negative; 46% of us disagreed with the plan.  You have to hand it to the council; it takes some kind of brass neck to ignore a poll result that is 2 to 1 against.  And no, there’s no excuse for the Lib Dems ,who arrived too late in the debate, and then howled about being kept in the dark – this proposal was covered in this publication and others well ahead of the vote.

This week the district has seen the closure of Henshaw’s Arts and Crafts centre in Knaresborough.  These pages also reported on their announcement that its Assisted Living Centre is to shut this coming October.  It appears that Henshaw’s actually made the decision to close four long months ago but, for reasons passing understanding, delayed the news until now.  What has gone so wrong financially it has left 21 families urgently needing alternative arrangements to house their disabled loved ones?  Something else for the local Lib Dems to get their teeth into, perhaps?

Poor old ‘App-less’ Matt Hancock is having a bad war of late.  When appointed to his post, the technophile Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set up a shiny new unit called NHSx and tasked it with the digital transformation of healthcare.  It’s job is to bring the NHS’s prehistoric I.T. kit up to date, make it work well and work most of the time, link and share our patient data across care settings (between your GP surgery and hospital for example) and generally harness the power of innovation to improve care, and to make it more cost efficient for the taxpayer.  I can talk this way because, when I was Director of Communication for Paperless 2020, the former name of the digital transformation programme for healthcare in England and Wales, it used to be my job to talk this way.

The thing is, building technology at pace and scale is both hard and expensive, even if you are a technology company like, say, Apple or Google, to pick but two at random…  Matt Hancock actually has his own app, imaginatively called ‘Matt Hancock MP.’  You should download it.  An hour or so before the Downing Street daily press conference, at which he announced that our “world beating” track and trace app was being binned before it could be launched, he posted a message of congratulations to Frankie Dettori for winning the Ascot Gold Cup.  You couldn’t make it up. Could you?

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

Read More:

 

The rise of Pannal ‘Cyber Scouts’

Lockdown has not stopped Pannal Scout Group which, for the last three months, has been finding creative ways to deliver their usual activities online.

The now Pannal ‘Cyber Scouts’ includes Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers with young people, aged between 6 and 18, taking part. Despite suspending all face to face activities, the scouting group has continued to meet each week and has found creative ways to deliver activities online.

The group has completed numerous nights camping in their gardens as well as attending online campfires. The scouts have also done lots of baking, DIY and even completed an online Hogwarts escape room.

The scouts have been pitching tents in their back gardens.

Read more: 

Andy Bielby, assistant scout leader for the 1st Pannal Scout Group told The Stray Ferret:

“Maintaining the sense of community and team has been important during lockdown and we know that our young people love catching up each week. Attendance online has been almost the same as face to face and it is important to address mental health issues by having a laugh and sharing stories.”

The scout group met via zoom with another group from New Zealand.

The Pannal Scout Group has also gone international by teaming up with another scout group in Christchurch, New Zealand. They have shared meetings and been learning all about each other’s countries and scouting methods.

Black Lives Matter rally passes off peacefully in Harrogate

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Stray today as part of a rally to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Observing social distancing, with many also wearing masks, they spread across the top of Montpellier Hill to hear a series of speakers sharing their views and experiences.

Heavy showers as the event got under way did not deter audience, who were supported by car horns sounded by passing drivers. Speakers referenced everything from the history of slavery in the British Empire to what residents can do today to eliminate racism in the Harrogate district.

Black Lives Matter

Organiser Josephine Caven told the crowd:

“The black voices and lives have been ignored for too long. And we have been silent too long. Our silence is violence on the black community, we cannot be complacent or silent any longer, because if we don’t be strong and listen and speak, it will be our neighbour, friend, relative that suffers.

“Now is the time to learn, speak and fight for change that will create true equality for the black community. We must be allies to this cause. Now being an ally won’t be easy, you have to admit your failings, have difficult conversations with yourself and others. We will also stand corrected and try really hard to eliminate the ingrained beliefs and biases we have within ourselves thanks to institutionalised racism that we all grow up and accept.

“But this learning curve will bring us all together with the love and respect we have for each other and we will stand united strong and never divided.”

Read more:

A small number of people had gathered separately by Harrogate’s war memorial, following attacks on statues commemorating historic figures associated with the slave trade and people who held racist views. However, the 45-minute demonstration by the Black Lives Matter supporters passed off peacefully, with police officers observing both groups from nearby.

It ended with applause and chants of “Black Lives Matter”. As supporters dispersed, Josephine told The Stray Ferret the atmosphere had been positive, with the rain adding weight to supporters’ determination to stand against racism.

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

A few people had gathered at Harrogate’s war memorial while the rally took place

Supporters had brought home-made banners for the demonstration

Black Lives Matter protest in Harrogate, June 20, 2020

Protestors came out despite heavy rain at the start of the rally

 

Black Lives Matter protest in Harrogate, June 20, 2020

Participants were largely observing social distancing between households

 

Clapped and cheered

Supporters clapped and cheered as the protest ended.

Pop up modern art gallery to open permanently in Harrogate

Contemporary art dealer Johnny Messum is opening a permanent exhibition space in Harrogate having trialled it as a pop-up.

His new gallery on James Street will hold six shows a year to exhibit the best of modern British art. Following this morning’s report of Laura Ashley’s closing down sale the decision to open the gallery permanently  on James Street will be welcomed.

Launching on 11-12 July visitors are asked to book timed appointments to view the exhibits safely. The summer opening will begin with a showcase dedicated to female artists from the 1950s and 1970s.

Read more: 

The owner Johnny Messum said:

“I am delighted to be opening a gallery for Yorkshire’s discerning viewers in a town we know so well. I am looking forward to strengthening the gallery’s longstanding relationships in Yorkshire as well as to forging new ones. At times like these, the power of art to inspire and uplift is more important than ever.

Our vision is to create a place where artists, art lovers and collectors can come together on a regular basis to enjoy the best contemporary art and craft from every corner of the world”.

Vulnerable Harrogate council taxpayers to see £150 cut in bills

Council taxpayers in the Harrogate district who are struggling to pay their rates will receive a £150 cut in their bills amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Harrogate Borough Council will reduce the bills as part of a £500 million hardship fund announced by the government back in March.

The authority has received £863,157 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, based on an estimated 4,000 council taxpayers who receive support for their bills.

Read more:

As part of the support package, those who already qualify for the council tax reduction scheme will see their bills reduced.

In a report before the council’s cabinet, Wallace Sampson, chief executive of the authority, said the council was supporting those who are the most vulnerable.

Mr Sampson added that every home which is eligible will receive the support “in the first instance”. He said:

“The covid-19 pandemic has set an unprecedented challenge which the council has responded to well through its support to some of the most vulnerable in our community, as well as to those businesses that have been hit the hardest through the crisis.”

No new coronavirus deaths at Harrogate hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any new coronavirus deaths in today’s NHS figures.

The hospital has so far recorded a total of 79 deaths and has also discharged 135 patients after coronavirus treatment.

Hospitals across the North East and Yorkshire recorded 7 more deaths today.

Read more:

It comes as a further 46 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in England’s hospitals, bringing the total to 28,221.

Patients were aged between 12 and 97 years old. Two patients, aged 65 and 85, had no known underlying health conditions.