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Emergency Helpline, Easter opening times
Are you ready for the Easter weekend? It’s going to be a tough time for some of our most vulnerable residents. Ring tomorrow from 9am to 5pm if you need emergency help on 0161 770 7007.
Over the Easter weekend – from Friday to Monday – it will be open from 11am to 2pm.

Bins on Good Friday and Easter Monday
Our crews are working on Good Friday and Easter Monday so if they are your collection days put your grey bin out before 7am.

Business receiving cash grants
£5.5 million has been paid out by Oldham Council to businesses, to support them through the crisis. There are more grants in the pipeline. The team are working as quickly as possible to issue grants to eligible businesses. 
The council is distributing the small business grant fund and retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund locally. It is expecting to make overall payments of £52 million in cash grants to businesses in these sectors. 
An online form at www.oldham.gov.uk/cashgrants has been launched for eligible businesses to submit information. 
The council is writing to all businesses that may be entitled to the grants. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])   
Local information about financial support for businesses can be found here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . And national information can be found at. www.businesssupport.gov.uk ([link removed][UNIQID])   

Cllr Abdul Jabbar,  Deputy  Leader
“We are working tirelessly to get these payments out as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
“We know these are worrying times for businesses of all sizes and we are doing all we can to support you at this time. 
“We have thousands of payments to make so it will really help us if you can go online and complete the form on this page. Doing this ensures we have all the information we need to issue payments as quickly as possible.” 

Don’t ignore it, report it – 0161 770 7777
Safeguard children from abuse and neglect. If something doesn’t feel right report it.

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Helping children understand coronavirus
Those of you who count younger children amongst your loved ones may be interested in the ** latest digital book by Axel Scheffler ([link removed][UNIQID])
. Axel is a well-known illustrator, and has created a free book about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. He has worked with experts to answer key questions to help children understand the changing world around them in simple and age-appropriate language for primary school age children.

Tell the NHS about your experience of coronavirus
Do you think you have had coronavirus symptoms? If yes, then please help the NHS collect data on the outbreak by visiting their Coronavirus Status Checker and telling them about your experience. ** www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-status-checker ([link removed][UNIQID])

Job searching during the crisis 
Many people’s jobs have changed as a result of the crisis. If you are looking for work, there are roles that urgently need filling. The following websites and services can help: 
* ** Get Oldham Working ([link removed][UNIQID])
 have essential job roles available. Contact: ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
 or call on 07970966527. 

* ** Employ GM ([link removed][UNIQID])
have urgent temporary vacancies for those able to start work straight away. 
* ** Greater.jobs ([link removed][UNIQID])
have all jobs in the 12 GM local authorities, and other local services. New roles related to the crisis are being added. 
* ** NHS Jobs ([link removed][UNIQID])
Crisis roles are highlighted.  
* ** Find a job ([link removed][UNIQID])
A government job search service. There is significant demand for nurses, healthcare assistants, social care workers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers and retail workers. 

Exam information for this year’s students
Guidance on how GCSE, AS and A levels will be awarded this summer:
* ** Guidance for head teachers and teachers ([link removed][UNIQID])

* ** Guidance for students, parents and carers and teachers ([link removed][UNIQID])


This year schools and colleges will provide ‘centre assessment grades’ for their students. Full details are on the government’s ** website ([link removed][UNIQID])

Donations of Protective Equipment
Donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by front-line health and social care staff are welcome at this time. Items such as disposable aprons, nitrile gloves, face masks, hand sanitiser and eye protection would be appreciated.
If you have anything to donate please email ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


Free school meals and Easter – update
Schools to continue to provide free schools for those who are eligible. Over Easter weeks our catering service will be on site to provide packed lunches. The Government has now announced funding for a voucher scheme – please contact your school for more details.
After the holidays the system will go back to catering staff providing packed lunches on site and the voucher scheme will continue (with a total of £15 per week now available).
** Oldham foodbanks ([link removed][UNIQID])
also are available for those in critical need.

Schools and Easter
Schools continue to be open over the Easter Holiday period and on Good Friday and Easter Monday for children of key workers and those with Education Health Care plans.

More info and advice
Go to ** www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus ([link removed][UNIQID])
for a wide range of information, advice and support. For ideas on how to keep you and your family occupied during the crisis sign up to our Love Libraries email ** here ([link removed][UNIQID])

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** Twitter ([link removed][UNIQID])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
** Website ([link removed][UNIQID])

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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom