Friday 27 March 2020
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing regular email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.
You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Wanting to help ‘is in the DNA’ of Rotherham people
Rotherham Council’s Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “It is in the DNA of the people of Rotherham to want to help in times of need and it isn’t surprising that people are already asking what they can do to help.
“The Rotherham Heroes programme will provide the organisation and structure required to deliver the best response our community can as we continue to rally round and support each other over the coming weeks and months.
“Everyone will want to ensure that we all stay safe. Volunteering to help vulnerable people in our community is permitted within theGovernment Guidance on how to help safely. The Council will be ensuring that all those taking part have all the information and advice that they need.”
Could you be a Rotherham hero?
As a good neighbour and someone who cares about your local community you are probably looking for ways in which you can help during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Rotherham Heroes Volunteer Programme is a borough-wide scheme to coordinate volunteers within their local community to support those who have no one else.
Volunteers will only be asked to help with some of the basics, such as:
- shopping for essentials
- collecting prescriptions
- walking your dog
- being someone to talk to
- connecting you with support services.
The programme is managed by the Rotherham Community Hub which includes Rotherham Council, Voluntary Action Rotherham and the Rotherham Together Partnership.
Today we are calling for individuals, organisations, clubs and businesses who want to be Rotherham Heroes.
Volunteers will be matched with established groups and, working alongside the Council’s Neighbourhoods Team, make sure the help is being best used when and where it is most needed in the coming weeks and months.
We may not need to call on you immediately, but we will keep your details in our Rotherham Heroes database ready for if and when we need volunteers to provide support to those people most in need.
Click the button below for more information and to register.
Be a Rotherham hero
Household Waste Centres to close
Regrettably, all of the Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres have been closed with immediate effect to stay in-line with coronavirus restrictions.
There has been a large volume of visitors to all our sites in recent days bringing in non-essential waste, creating significant delays and queues on the surrounding road network and customers ignoring the instructions of on-site staff about social distancing.
This has made it impossible for the sites to maintain safe social distancing rules and has left us with no other choice but to close all sites for the immediate future.
See our website for details on how the Council is responding to coronavirus and how it is impacting our services.
Rotherham Council coronavirus website
Armed Forces Day event cancelled
Given the severity of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and Government guidance on social distancing, upcoming events across the country are now being cancelled or postponed.
With this in mind, it is with regret that this year’s Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 27th June and charity evening concert on Friday, 26th June have both been cancelled.
Whilst it is possible that restrictions may be lifted by this date, we know the coming months will be critical for the Council in working with the people of Rotherham to help beat coronavirus and focussing on redeploying staffing and resource within the Council to critical services.
Government announces support for self-employed
The Chancellor has outlined measures to support self-employed people during the coronavirus pandemic. They will be paid 80% of profits, up to £2,500 a month, if affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
HM Treasury has produced full guidance on the support availabe, click the button below.
Support for the self-employed and others
New Coronavirus Whatsapp update service
The Government has launched a Coronavirus information service on Whatsapp.
The free service is an automated ‘chatbot’ that will provide information on coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting.
It aims to further reduce the burden on NHS services, including 111, combat the spread of the virus and ensure people stay at home and save lives.
Access the Whatsapp service here
Getting in touch…
During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.