It’s easier to access free Covid-19 tests with instant results
- Order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home. A pack contains seven tests. You can order one pack per household each day.
- Or use the online map to see a network of local pharmacies and other collection points that are now offering a pick up service.
There has been some coverage in the media about the usefulness of these tests, but for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is fewer than one false positive result (and people testing positive are asked to take a confirmatory PCR test so there is little risk of people needing to isolate based on a false result). So they play an essential role in identifying the one in three people who have no symptoms of Covid and could be spreading it unknowingly.
County Council Tweet-athon – tomorrow
To raise awareness of the free Lateral Flow Tests (and their role in moving out of lockdown safely), the County Council is running a ‘Tweet-athon’ tomorrow (Friday 23 April) from 8am to 6pm. If you are able to share their tweets to help spread the message in your community, that would be appreciated. Look out for posts on other platforms too using the hashtag #RapidTestCambs.
Learning from today, prepared for tomorrow
You are invited to take part in a nationwide survey on volunteering that is being carried out by National Council of Volunteer Organisations (NVCO) and the University of Kent. It will take around 25 minutes to complete and includes open questions asking you to share your views and experiences. The survey aims to understand more about the impact of Covid-19 on volunteering and what support may be needed to ensure that volunteering can play a key role in our national recovery over the months to come.
Census 2021 scams
Census Day 2021 might be over, but census field officers are visiting homes to provide support on completing the census for those that have not already done so. Census-branded reminder letters are also being sent out. A reminder of the following may be useful to help people avoid being scammed:
- Census field officers will never ask for payment or bank details
- they will never ask for personal details such as a national insurance number and they do not need to enter your home
- you will never be issued with a fine on the doorstep
- you will never be issued with a fine by text message, phone call or email.
Do you know anyone who could benefit from a GP Access Card?
People who are not registered with a GP still have rights to receive healthcare. GP Access Cards explain that everyone has the right to register with GP surgeries, including those experiencing homelessness, Gypsies and Travellers and other people who may be refused registration. It also gives information on what to do if people are refused. They are small, plastic, credit card style cards emphasising that when registering with a GP:
- you do not need a fixed address
- you do not need identification
- your immigration status does not matter
- people can also register if they do not know or do not have an NHS number.
Webinar: Learning from Leaders series
The Cranfield Trust is offering a series of free webinars to provide information and inspiration for leaders of charities, CICs and not for profit organisations. Presented by Kim Turnbull James, Chartered Psychologist and Professor of Leadership and Executive Learning at Cranfield School of Management, this webinar explores the idea that during times of crisis and complex change, we don’t need leaders to be heroes, but need leadership to enable and empower their team of heroes to carry out their difficult work and provide much needed services to their clients and service users. The hero paradox: Leading heroes not being the hero leader | 29 April 11am to 12 noon.