National
bereavement support launched for those struggling with grief
during lockdown
AS today's ONS
figures show there are over 29,000 deaths involving Covid-19, a
new nationwide bereavement support service has been launched by
Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity.
More people than ever are grieving. To date, an estimated
450,000 people will be grieving since lockdown began. Many of
whom will be grieving in isolation, unable to use their usual
support networks, and may be dealing with the additional
psychological and emotional impact of not being able to properly
say goodbye.
In the North West a total of 12,576 deaths have been registered
up to w/e 24 April (of which 3,944, or 31%, were Covid) and,
based upon the metric of 5 people bereaved on average per death,
that equates to approximately 62,000 people who may have been
bereaved in the region since lockdown began.
Marie Curie's national bereavement service is available to
anyone affected by the death of a loved one. The service enables
people to access free emotional support from a dedicated
volunteer, over the phone, for up to 6 weeks. The charity has
trained 30 new volunteers and expects to double this in the
coming weeks.
The bereavement service is in addition to the charity's
telephone support line which is already available for anyone,
including:- health and social care professionals to call for
practical information and emotional support as well as clinical
guidance on care for the dying.
Gary Powell's partner, Tina, died in February. Gary said:-
"It's the isolation that makes grieving during a lockdown
harder. It's the perfect environment for over thinking. Out of
nowhere, grief can overwhelm me, and I just have to sit and have
a cry. Normally I'd go for a walk to try and clear my head but
that's just not possible now. If I could sum up life during
lockdown in 1 word, it would be strange. Everywhere is so quiet.
The struggle is finding things to do to keep your mind occupied.
To be able to speak to someone, fill that silence and not feel
alone is a powerful thing."
Marie Curie Bereavement Services Coordinator, Angharad Burden,
said:- "We have seen a number of people get in touch with
us who are grieving in isolation. They've told us that they
wouldn't normally feel the need to access support but being in
lockdown means they have been unable to lean on their usual
support networks for help. The pandemic is forcing everyone to
confront death in ways we never could've comprehended just a few
weeks ago, but we're here, on the other end of the phone, to
support anyone who needs us. I urge anyone who is struggling
with any aspect of dying, death or bereavement to call our
Support Line free on:- 0800 090 2309 or to visit
Mariecurie.Org.UK/Support."
To access Marie Curie's new bereavement service, call their
support line on:- 08000902309. This service is available to
anyone affected by the death of a loved one at any time of their
life.
Marie Curie also is calling for a national day to reflect,
grieve and remember everyone who has died during this time,
whether from Coronavirus or another cause. Visit:-
Mariecurie.Org.UK/NationalDay.
Celebrating
Liverpool's LightNight Arts Festival at 'Home' on Friday,
15 May 2020
ANOTHER major event on
Merseyside has had to be cancelled. LightNight was due to take
place in Liverpool on Friday, 15 May 2020 and, what with 1 thing
and another, it can't take place in physical form. Nor can it be
replicated digitally. "As a festival that is so much about
place, about discovering new spaces and plotting an artistic
journey through a City, it just isn't the same online. However,
it seems a shame not to mark the night itself. So instead,
Friday, 15 May 2020, will be a night to celebrate Liverpool's
artistic and creative talent. The hashtag #LightNightatHome will
be a place to share and view work by Liverpool's creative's that
would have formed part of LightNight 2020, on Twitter, Instagram
and Facebook. It starts at 5pm, on Friday, 15 May 2020."
said Laura Brown from Open Culture.
The 2020
Southport Flower Show has been CANCELLED!
THE COVID-19 pandemic
has led to events with large public gatherings being cancelled
throughout the whole country and the Southport Flower Show is no
exception. It is therefore with regret that the organisers have
announced the cancellation of the 2020 Southport Flower Show
which was due to be held 20 August to 23 August 2020.
Chair of the Board Max Steinberg CBE said:- "We have
closely monitored the situation over the past few weeks and it
has become clear that we now have no other option, but to cancel
the show this year. The 1st consideration must be the health and
wellbeing of everyone involved in the show, staff, volunteers,
visitors, exhibitors and traders. The show has become a much
loved fixture in the horticultural calendar and in the region's
summer events and the decision to cancel has been taken with a
heavy heart. The safety of all of those who support the show is
of paramount importance to us and we believe this to be the only
course of action as we work through this pandemic."
This will be the 1st time since the 2nd World War that there has
not been a show in Southport and it is a huge disappointment to
the management team who work so hard to make this event happen.
The cancellation will cause severe financial implications not
just for the show itself, but it will also profoundly affect the
show's partners, sponsors, suppliers and traders.
It is not always recognised that the Southport Flower Show is a
charity and any profit is reinvested into the much loved show
which has been a significant part of the town for over 90 years.
It also supports the maintenance and administration of Victoria
Park, our beautiful 34 acre site which has housed the show since
it began.
Chair of the Board Max Steinberg CBE said:- "If those
people who have already purchased tickets would consider
supporting the show by not requesting a refund or by rolling
over their tickets to next year's show taking place 19 August to
22 August 2021 then they would be supporting the Southport
Flower Show through this extremely difficult period and your
support would be greatly appreciated. Details can be found at:-
SouthportFlowerShow.Co.UK."
Alan Adams, General Manager of the Southport Flower Show added:-
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our
supporters and visitors for their continued support and to wish
them and their families well during this unprecedented and
difficult time. We now look forward to putting on a very
successful 90th Southport Flower Show, in 2021."
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
ON 5 May 2020, fatalities have again increased by693 taking the total number of deaths of those
who have tested positive for COVID-19, by a Public Health or NHS
Laboratory to 29,427. The UK Coronavirus death toll has now
surpasses Italy to become the highest in Europe. The number of COVID-19
has risen by 4,406 in just a day, to 194,990, according to Data
published by the Office for National Statistics. In England, there have been
128,188 confirmed
cases. North West of England has seen 20,768 confirmed cases.
Current Hospital Laboratory confirmed cases within the following
Local Authorities, in and around the Liverpool City Region are
as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,483 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 841 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,056 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 678 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 333 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 2,962 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 868 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 937 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,192 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 896 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 637 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 818 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 833 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 557 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 577 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 489 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 798 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 338 confirmed cases..
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
05/05/2020. Last updated 5.09pm GMT. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 5 May 2020 Video