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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.
Rotherham Council’s bin lorries have a colourful new look and an important message to share – thanks to the efforts of children from the borough.
The Council has been inundated with thank you messages, stunning artwork and kind words for all the local key workers, who have kept vital services running in difficult circumstances during the coronavirus crisis.
The rainbow artwork submitted by local children was too good not to share with everyone, so some of the pictures we’ve recieved now take pride of place on the side of 14 of our refuse trucks, alongside information about how vulnerable people can get help from the Council and Rotherham Heroes volunteers.
Look out for the wonderful pictures when our refuse collectors are next down your street.
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Rotherham coming together to help one another
There’s no doubting the generosity of the people of Rotherham, with many contacting us to ask if they can donate cash to help with the COVID-19 response.
Anyone who does want to donate money to help local charities support those hardest hit by the crisis, there is the South Yorkshire Covid-19 Response Fund run by South Yorkshire Community Foundation.
When you make your donation you can request that it is used specifically in the Rotherham area.
The Food for People in Crisis Partnership is also supporting local families.
The Partnership consists of a number of organisations across the borough of Rotherham that help people deal with emergency situations by providing them with food and other types of support. Visit www.varotherham.org.uk/food-for-people-in-crisis/ for details of how to donate by bank transfer. |
Grant funding for disabled and seriously ill children
Low income families who care for disabled or seriously ill children can apply for grant funding to support them during the Covid-19 crisis from the charity, Family Fund.
Family Fund has received an extra £10 million from the Department for Education to help families on low incomes who are raising disabled or seriously ill children (aged 17 or under) in England.
This emergency funding is intended to help parents and carers pay for items to make their lives easier while implementing social distancing measures, including things like computers and tablets, outdoor play equipment and sensory toys.
Eligibility criteria is available on the Family Fund website.
To apply for funding click on the button below or share this information with friends or family you know who may benefit.
First Bus confirms changes to services
Local bus operator, First Bus has announced a number of social distancing measures on its services.
Buses are operating at a reduced capacity, with only around one in four seats being available to use.
Drivers will monitor capacity levels and, if necessary, will update the destination screen to show “Bus full due to social distancing” – at which point a ‘one-off / one-on’ system will be used at subsequent stops.
Passengers will be encouraged to sit next to a window, with a row empty in front and a row empty behind.
They are also asking customers to minimise transfer of the Covid-19 virus wherever possible, by using alternative payment to cash and by wearing face coverings, if they can.
Although bus services are only provided for those that need to make essential journeys, some customers may not be able to board their intended journey due to capacity levels being reached. Those who have no option other than to use public transport should check journey details in advance, avoid busier periods and allow extra time for their journey, as they may need to wait if their bus is full when it arrives.
To plan your journey on public transport, visit the Travel South Yorkshire website:
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Please have patience at Houshold Waste sites
As we enter the busy Bank Holiday weekend, the Council is asking visitors to its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to be patient and familiarise themselves with the restrictions in place before they visit.
To comply with social distancing measures, the number of vehicles allowed on site at anytime is severely reduced, which means that queuing is likely, with possible waiting times of up to 90 minutes. If vehicle queues become unmanageable, you may be asked to return at a later time.
Only one adult is allowed per car.
There are also restrictions to the items you can bring to dispose of, for instance we cannot currently take wood, DIY and garden waste or wet paint.
Please respect the restrictions, which are in place to protect visitors and our employees. The restrictions remain constantly under review. Depending on the on-going, safe operation of the site and co-operation of customers, we do hope to ease them in the near future.
Go to our website for full details before you visit:
The importance of the role played by Rotherham’s foster careers has been brought into sharp focus by the coronavirus crisis.
Our foster carers provide a safe, loving home to some of our community’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Foster Care Fortnight (11-24 May) is the UK’s biggest annual foster care awareness raising campaign. In Rotherham, we are asking all types of people, from all walks of life to consider becoming a foster carer.
If you have a spare room in your house and love to give in your heart, please visit our website:
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Terri Roche, Rotherham’s Director of Public Health has spoken about the importance of all of us keeping on top of infection control measures, despite the recent relaxtion in coronavirus restrictions.
In this week’s update, she also covers issues such as the importance of exercise, new advice on the use of face coverings in some circumstances and mental health awareness.
She said: “We all need to understand that the virus has not gone away. We need to remain cautious.
“This is not a return to normality, instead it is about taking careful steps to ensure that we do not give the virus any opportunity to spread.”
Click on the button below to read this week’s message in full.
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