Independent co-operative says community support has lifted spirits

A local co-operative says the support it’s received has been vital in lifting spirits during the pandemic.

Rainbows drawn by children cover the windows of many Southern Co-op stores and messages of thanks have been shared with both its retail and funeralcare colleagues.

Mark Smith, Chief Executive of Southern Co-op, said: “When the outbreak first hit, we put out a plea to customers and members to shop responsibly, observe social distancing measures and help us to support our communities.

Sandwiches given to colleagues at the Creekmoor Co-op in Northmead Drive from the community.

“We would like to say a big thank you to our members and customers who’ve done this.

“I’d also like to thank our colleagues for their hard work throughout, under very challenging circumstances. I’ve been especially impressed with their collective commitment, energy and how they have risen to the challenge.”

In order to support Southern Co-op’s 250 food stores, funeral homes and crematoria across the south of England, the independent co-operative has recruited and trained 348 extra colleagues.

It has also fitted more than 700 protective till screens, installed 9,000 social distancing floor markings, established a dedicated daily shopping hour for the vulnerable, and offered all NHS and social care workers a ten per cent discount.

For its frontline teams, it has offered a special recognition scheme with a bonus for eligible retail and funeralcare colleagues.

Gemma Lacey, Director of Sustainability and Communications at Southern Co-op, said: “The response from our communities and colleagues has been really incredible during the pandemic.

Rainbows on display at the Weymouth store in Chickerell Road.

“Our colleagues have been creative in finding ways to support our communities for example collecting fabric for Guys Marsh prison who are making scrubs for their local NHS, providing resources such as word searches and colouring pages for children, and encouraging expression through art, which has been displayed in our sites windows.

“For those that want to do a bit more, we would also invite people to support our FareShare campaign which is fighting hunger and food waste through the distribution of food to charities in our region.”

Southern Co-op has donated £50,000 to FareShare, the UK’s largest hunger fighting charity, to support the distribution of food to charities in the south.

To help make a bigger impact, customers are being invited to add to this donation.

For every £1 donated, FareShare is able to redistribute four meals so a £5 donation equals 20 meals to vulnerable people.

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Training company provides free mental health sessions to  businesses

A Wimborne-based company provided ten free support sessions for 64 Dorset businesses in aid of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Ouch Training, which specialises in health and safety training, designed the sessions to support existing mental health first aiders.

In total, 70 businesses were helped.

Simon Cassin, CEO, pictured left delivering the sessions, said: “We wanted to honour Mental Health Awareness Week by giving back to our business community during this highly stressful time.

“At Ouch we understand that recently people’s job roles and working conditions have changed dramatically.

“It is important to provide businesses with the tools and support they need to prioritise their team’s mental wellbeing as we emerge from lockdown.”

The complimentary support sessions provided an opportunity for businesses to meet virtually and discuss the challenges they are facing due to the current health crisis.

The psychological impact of working from home and how to stay connected to your team on furlough, were both topics covered during the sessions.

Upon receiving training from Ouch, mental health first aiders are qualified to provide mental wellbeing support to co-workers throughout their organisation.

The initial two-day training session delivers an overview of common mental health issues, teaching delegates to spot the signs of mental ill health, providing the skills needed to support positive wellbeing in the workplace.

The company offers a wide range of bespoke health, safety, and wellbeing training courses to businesses across the UK.

It also has a training venue in the North West.

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Community pharmacies to join the Dorset Care Record

Up to 150 community pharmacies across the county are to be given access to health and social care records held within the Dorset Care Record (DCR).

It will give them up to date records in a transparent and easy to understand way – considered particularly important at this current time.

Pharmacies are the first sector outside the acute and community hospital and social care settings to be given access to the DCR.

The move has been fast-tracked due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peter Gill, DCR Senior Responsible Officer, pictured right, said the move would help reduce risks and improve efficiencies both in the community and acute hospital settings..

He added: “We are also introducing discharge medications into the Dorset Care Record from Dorset County Hospital and this will be particularly beneficial for community pharmacies.”

The pharmacy sector has welcomed the move.

A pilot was carried out earlier this month at Victoria Park pharmacy on Dorchester.

Owner Robin Mitchell said: “Access to the DCR provides community pharmacists with detailed information that complements other sources such as Summary Care Records and will be very relevant to situations such as hospital discharge or minor illness consultations. A welcome resource.”

Amanda Moores, Dorset Local Pharmaceutical Committee Chief Officer, said: “We are very pleased that community pharmacies will have access to the Dorset Care Record. This supports their integration in the local health and social care system.

“Community pharmacies play a key role in supporting patients to make the most of their medicines and manage long term conditions. The DCR supports patient care by providing pharmacies with access to up to date information, which is crucial, especially in these challenging times.”

The DCR, which is bringing together electronically health and social care records, is a partnership supported by NHS Dorset CCG, Dorset County Hospital, the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council, BCP Council and the South Western Ambulance Service Trust.