Covid-19 - Coronovirus - Changes to Events, Courses and Activities

Changes to Events, Courses and Activities

On this page we will try to keep you updated with any changes to the activities, events, courses, clubs etc. for children/ young people and/ or parent carers that we hear about.

Even if not listed here, please do double check with organisations before attending to make sure they are still running.

Wellness and Wellbeing Course - Marlborough - October 3rd/4th 2020

Greatwood Charity uses Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) offering a variety of education and wellbeing programmes.

The Wellness and Wellbeing Course is for 18+ adults and is an opportunity to leave the lockdown stresses behind and focus on the here and now, using mindful techniques and AAI. You will spend time with the resident former racehorses, and other animals including Shetland ponies, goats and chickens. The course will take place on October 3rd and 4th from 10.00am to 2.00pm at Greatwood, Rainscombe Hill Farm, Clench Common, Marlborough SN8 4DT.

The cost for this weekend course is £25 per adult. There are 8 places available.

Take a look at their flyer for further information. To book/find out more call 01672 514535 or email info@greatwoodcharity.org

The Rise Trust – Services Available as Lockdown Eases

The RISE Trust wants to reassure families that they are constantly reviewing the government guidelines and reflecting on how they can ensure families’ and staff’s safety during face to face contact going forward.

During the summer holidays they will continue to deliver their services:

• Virtual coffee mornings – time to chat with other parents and ask advice
• Let’s Play virtual course – interactive sessions providing play ideas to develop your child’s learning and development
• Being a Parent virtual course (currently full) – contact them to put your name on their waiting list
• Baby and Me virtual course – for parents who have just had a baby
• Outreach service – one to one support
• Freedom online – Domestic abuse awareness course for women who are experiencing / have experienced domestic abuse
• Challenging Behaviour virtual course – for parents struggling to manage unwanted behaviours
• Ready Steady School virtual course – for parents whose children are transitioning into school
• Telephone support – please phone into their Single Point of Access (SPA) number below.

If you do have any questions or concerns, please call their SPA number on 01249 463040.

Please also see their website: [Rise Trust]

Oasis, Swindon & Wiltshire Leisure centres

Leisure centres in Wiltshire & Swindon are now beginning to open there doors!

To find out about what is open and available, please follow these links:
- [Wiltshire Council Leisure Centres]
- [Swindon LA Leisure Centres]
- For non-Council leisure services, see the individual websites.

Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury Libraries Re-Opening

Following a recent public consultation on reopening some library services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the libraries in Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge will open their doors to the public, for the first time since 20th March.

Trowbridge Library will open from 3rd August, and Chippenham and Salisbury Library on 4th August, with safety measures in place to ensure social distancing to keep people as safe as possible.

These libraries will be fully reopened for people to browse for a certain amount of time, to select and loan books and use the computers.

More than 7,000 people took part in a consultation on how the Council could reopen library services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In looking through the feedback throughout the duration of the consultation, it was quickly apparent that people are keen for some libraries to reopen as soon as possible. Therefore the Council will open three of Wiltshire's biggest libraries first, with more expected to follow in due course.

Here's the key information customers need to know

Opening hours will be: -
• Trowbridge - Monday, Thursday and Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
• Chippenham & Salisbury - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
• Loan items continue to be renewed automatically, currently to the end of September, so there is no rush to return items
· People can attend one of these libraries and browse for up to 30 minutes
· People are advised to be sensible and not pick up and put back lots of books
· Social distancing measures will be in place, with clear signage
· Hand sanitiser will be available at each library
· Depending on how many people are using the library, people may have to queue outside upon arrival
· Computers in the libraries can be used for 45 minutes, but people must book them in advance. They can be booked by phoning the relevant library during their opening hours
· People should bring their library cards
· Returned books will be stored for 72 hours before being put back on shelves
· Screens will be in place at main customer service desk
· People will be asked to provide contact details as part of the COVID-19 test and trace system. Details will be handled in accordance with GDPR law

The following will not be available at the three libraries for the time being: -
• Toilet facilities
• Group activities such as book clubs and rhyme time sessions
• Newspapers and magazines
• Reservation service

The online library content, which has proven to be hugely popular over the lockdown period, will continue. So far, there have been more than 100,000 views of library videos, such as rhyme and story time, since March.

For more information and an FAQ, please see the [Wiltshire Council] website.

Wiltshire Scrapstore Now Open

Need resources and ideas for activities in the Summer?

Wiltshire Scrapstore reopened for its usual hours from Tuesday 7th July with social distancing measures in place. It is open Tuesday to Friday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and Saturdays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Pop in and see them at Unit 5, Griffin Farm, Bowden Hill, Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2PP.

For more information take a look [HERE]
Or call them on 01249 730011 or email create@wiltsplay.org.uk

London Science Museum reopens August 18th 2020

Please click [HERE] for details and how to book your visit.

Bookwhen Guide - How to cancel a Barnardo's club session

Barnardo’s system for booking their activity clubs is called Bookwhen. The system can also be used to cancel sessions. Take a look at the following Bookwhen Guide which explains how to book or cancel a Barnardo’s club session.

Time Out for Parents Courses - course cancellations in response to Coronavirus

In response to current government regulations to stop non-essential contact with others, all Time Out for Parents courses that were running or due to start soon have been suspended or postponed.

The following courses have been suspended or postponed:

• Evergreen Court, Amesbury (began on 9th March 2020)
  
• Marden Vale Academy, Calne (began on 9th March 2020)
  
• Newtown Primary School, Trowbridge (began on 21st January)
  
• Cornerstone, Warminster (began on 6th February 2020)
  
• Southbroom, Devizes (began on 25th February 2020)
  
• City Hall, Salisbury (began on 28th January 2020)
  
• Frogwell Primary School, Chippenham (was due to start on 24th April 2020)
  
• Old Sarum Primary School, Salisbury (was due to start 7th May 2020)
  
• Westbury Leigh Primary School, Westbury (was due to start 13th May 2020)
  
• GUL, Shrewton (was due to start 15th May 2020)
  

All parent carers attending, or due to attend any of these course will be notified individually. All parent carers who have been affected by these cancellations will be offered alternative opportunities to attend a course once the situation regarding the Coronavirus has returned to near normal; we don't anticipate this being sooner than the autumn this year however.


Other information regarding the Coronavirus
The WPCC will continue to post information, guidance, advice and resources to offer support in response to the Coronavirus situation on the dedicated section of its [website] as it is received. Wiltshire Council is also maintaining a dedicated Coronavirus page on its website [HERE], which will be updated with information about Council services that may be affected by COVID-19.

Short Breaks Clubs and other Sessions at Elizabeth House Social Centre

A message from Elizabeth House Social Centre…


Elizabeth House has had to make difficult decisions about our services during the current pandemic, the wellbeing of everyone who uses our services and our staff has to be our priority.

All our services are closed until further notice, and we will be following Government guidance as to when we can re-open safely.

As an interim measure, our plan is to keep in touch with everyone who accesses our services to support you the best way we can. We understand that anxiety will be a particular problem during this pandemic, and we have activities that we are posting on [Facebook].

If you wish to contact us please email me, patricia.elizabethhouse@gmail.com or Freda, freda.elizabethhouse@gmail.com

We send you all our best wishes at this very difficult and challenging time.

Patricia Podger, Elizabeth House Social Centre

Barnardo’s Clubs

Message to all parents/carers/young people from Barnardo’s,

Like many others, Barnardo’s has sadly had to make difficult decisions about the service we provide to you during the current pandemic. The wellbeing of your young people and also our staff has to be our priority.

All our clubs are now closed until further notice. This includes Phoenix, Kingfisher, A Place 4 Us and our short breaks activity clubs. We will be following the Government guidance and will reopen as soon as we are told it is safe to do so.

In the meantime we plan to keep in touch with everyone who accesses our services and will offer any advice and support that we can. We will also be sending out ideas for fun activities you can do with your children which we hope will be of use.

If you wish to contact us at any time, please ring our office on: 01249 463907 extension 4 and you will receive a message about how you can get hold of us. Alternatively please email me (Liz James: Liz.james@barnardos.org.uk) or julieann.hiscocks@barnardos.org.uk.

As soon as the situation changes, we will be in touch. In the meantime, we send you all our best wishes at this challenging time.

Liz James
Barnardo’s Children’s Services Manager

South Wilts Mencap (SWM) Service Update

SWM have decided, in light of the coronavirus outbreak, to postpone all South Wilts Mencap clubs, meetings and holidays up until the end of April. The Trustees will review the situation again at the end of April.

The Trustees have not made this decision lightly but after monitoring government advice and wishing to put the health of all our volunteers, club attendees and team members first, it is deemed sensible to reduce the opportunity for the virus to spread.

The following clubs, activities and meetings are therefore postponed.

• Our Club
  
• New Horizon Club
  
• Music Group
  
• Play Partner Parties
  
• Disco
  
• Parkrun training sessions and special parkrun event
  
• South Wilts Mencap Annual General Meeting
  
• Open forum with the Chairman
  
• Breakaway Holidays
  

If you are unsure who to contact, email Emma secretary@southwiltsmencap.org.uk and she will happily put you in touch with the best person or help directly where possible.

SPLASH Activities Easter Holidays Cancelled

The Splash team have cancelled their Activity programme for the Easter Holidays. We will update you regarding the may half term programme as soon as possible.

Triple P Group cancellations in response to Coronavirus

In response to current government advice to stop non-essential contact with others, a decision has been taken to cancel all Triple P groups that are currently running, or due to start soon. This decision has been taken to contribute to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of parents and carers, their vulnerable dependents, volunteers and staff. We appreciate this decision is likely to be disappointing for some, but we hope the reasons for the decision are recognised.

The following Triple P groups are now cancelled with immediate effect:-

• Bemerton Heath, Salisbury (began on 11th February 2020)
  
• The Nadder Centre, Tisbury (due to start on 22nd April 2020)
  
• Springfield Community Centre, Corsham (due to start on 27th April 2020)
  

A waiting list is still being held so please contact Claire Turner if you wish to be placed on this list. Email her on Claire.turner@wiltshire.gov.uk

Changes to Wiltshire Short Breaks clubs and youth clubs for children/ young people with SEND

Barnardo's have informed us that all of their Phoenix and Kingfisher clubs are closed until further notice. Their Wiltshire Short Breaks club on Saturday 21st March will not be taking place. Barnardo's will be in touch with their commissioners about future clubs and when they know more they will update us.

A Place 4 Us youth club in Calne is also now closed.

Disability Sport Update

Please see the following update from Rob Paget, Disability Sports Development Officer (Wiltshire Council):-

Hi all,

I wanted to give you a quick update. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we have taken the decisions to:

• Suspend Get Wiltshire Walking until 31 May at the earliest in line with the Ramblers Association

• Suspend the running programme until 30 April in line with advice from England Athletics
  

• Suspend all disability sport until 30 April at the earliest
  

We hope you understand why we’ve had to make these decisions but it’s vital that we do what we can to protect the public’s health at this time.

We thank you for your continued support and patience.

Learning Disability Knowledge Cafe postponed

The Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living have advised that due to current circumstances they have made the decision to postpone the Learning Disability Knowledge Café that was due to be held on 7th April – see flyer They will be looking to reschedule the Knowledge Café as soon as they are able to and will keep everyone updated regarding new dates etc.