Hope and Care – 26 August 2020 We are all being told to wash our hands regularly, but what is the advice and the correct technique... You should wash your hands frequently. The advice is: · Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds each time · If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser gel · Wash your hands as soon as you get home · Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze · Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands straight away Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean. Get more information about stopping infection spreading from the NHS. Public Health England have made a factsheet for children available. It's designed to help children understand the importance of hand washing and how to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Hope and Care – 24 August 2020 On June 15th, it became mandatory in England for face masks to be worn on public transport or when attending hospital as a visitor or outpatient. From July 24th face masks will also be mandatory in shops and supermarkets. Anyone who fails to adhere to the new rules will face a £100 fine which will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Face masks reduce onward transmission of the coronavirus and therefore are intended to protect others and not the wearer. However, face masks are not a replacement for social distancing. There are groups of people who are not required to wear a mask. These include those under the age of 11 and certain individuals when acting in the course of their duty. You also do not need to wear a mask on board public transport where you remain in your own vehicle, such as a car ferry. Other legitimate exemptions include those with a disability or a physical or mental illness. People travelling with a deaf person who relies on lip reading to communicate are also exempt. Unfortunately, standard face masks have a detrimental effect on the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss. Transparent face masks have started to become available, but they are still not widely accessible. Some disabilities are hidden and not immediately obvious such as learning difficulties, mental health, mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments. Some people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are sensitive to touch so wearing a face mask presents many unpleasant sensations which can lead to frustration and distress. Many with severe learning disabilities might not be able to tolerate wearing a mask and trying to enforce the request could result in challenging behaviour, putting themselves or others at risk. Anyone with a respiratory condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or lung cancer should also not wear a mask if it makes their condition worse. If you are exempt from wearing a mask due to a condition or hidden disability, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Scheme has a range of exemption badges and lanyards. You can order one at www.hiddendisabilities.com If you want to make your own face mask, there are many DIY guides available online in addition to buying guides which will ensure that you choose the right mask for you. When applying your mask: · Wash your hands thoroughly before putting it on and taking it off. · Ensure that there are no gaps between the bridge of your nose and where it fits under your chin.

Report by Hope and Care - 30 June 2020 Read our annual report. Read about what we heard from the local population, the projects we worked on and our plans for the year ahead.

Report by Hope and Care – 11 June 2020 More than 1240 people shared their views with local Healthwatch in Reading, West Berkshire, Wokingham, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to help us inform decision-makers on the public's top priorities for the NHS. Summary The public's top priority is access to healthcare when needed, without delay. You told us mental health services need urgent investment and improvement. People want personalised goals from the NHS to stay healthy and also believe. government and councils must play their part in public health. As people get older they want to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

Hope and Care - 18 May 2020 This information guide provides an overview of some of the resources available to support people who have been bereaved, with a focus on Covid-19 and other illness. A checklist on what to do after a death, how to register a death, notify Government departments and manage financial issues can be found on the Age UK website here. Government guidance has been developed to ensure that: • Those who have died as a result of Covid-19 are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect • Bereaved people and those who work in services that care for the deceased are protected from infection Information on arranging a funeral can be found here. According to this guidance from Age UK, think about the following before contacting a funeral director: • Who you want to attend, being mindful of those in high-risk groups • Arranging service sheets as service books are unlikely to be available • Recording the eulogy on a phone or other recording device so those not in attendance can listen or watch at another time • Services may need to be shorter so the venue can be cleaned between services • Organising a celebration of life or memorial for a later date, when it is safe to do so • Social distancing requirements • Whether it is appropriate for family members to bear the coffin The Inter Faith Network link here contains guidance from faith communities and community organisations on funeral rites and practices. Support with bereavement and grief Bereaved people may have to deal with increased trauma during this time and may be cut off from some of their usual support network. Those who are already struggling with bereavement, or whose relatives or friends die through other causes will also be affected. Support for anyone who has been bereaved: o Age UK o AtaLoss.org o Citizens Advice Bureau o CRUSE have put together these resources for anyone who has lost a loved one through Covid. o Finding the words - How to support someone who has been bereaved and affected by suicide (PDF document) o The Miscarriage Association o Samaritans o Support After Suicide Partnership o Survivors of Bereavement By Suicide Local contacts: email wokinghamsobs@gmail.com or call Hazel on 07545 897 781

Report by Hope and Care – 7 February 2020 Are pharmacies across Wokingham Borough supporting residents assessed as needing medication compliance aids (MCAs)? Healthwatch Wokingham Borough were contacted by Age UK Berkshire about a client who had been assessed as needing a medication compliance aid (MCA) but was unable to find a pharmacy to supply her with her medication in this way, so we looked into this matter. "I'm really struggling to see and open the medicine packs, and so worried that I 'm going to take the wrong pill at the wrong time. Having the easy packs meant I could clearly see what I had to take when. Now I’m worried and confused." Mrs M, aged 78