Lockdown continues this weekend... 

Former Sergeant and Chairman of Oldham’s Royal British Legion talks passionately about freedom, VE day and staying safe during the current lockdown. This will be used on BBC Radio Manchester over the weekend. Watch the video here. 

Oldham Council and partners are waiting to receive guidance from Government on how to ease the lockdown. Over the coming weeks and months this will have a significant impact on a wide range of communities and activities, including schools, businesses and local public services. 

We will keep you updated on specific changes in this e-newsletter, as they become clear. It will be important to only make changes that keep people safe. Right now the lockdown remains in place. 

This weekend, stay home, save lives and protect the NHS.  

VE Day in Oldham – 75th Anniversary 

Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of VE day, to commemorate this special occasion there are lots of online activities for residents to get involved with.
For full information go to: www.oldham.gov.uk/ve75 

Promotion of activities will be on social media in the coming days. Activities have been organised locally by Libraries and Oldham Gallery. The page also has information on activities by The Royal British Legion and English Heritage.

Community helpline – opening times over bank holiday 
The Council, Oldham Foodbank and Action Together are working together to arrange delivery of food, medicine and other essential personal and household items to people in need. This offer is for people who are unable to leave the house and don’t have a trusted friend, neighbour or family member to help them. 
This bank holiday weekend the helpline is open from 11am to 2pm on Friday and Saturday, call 0161 770 7007. It is closed on Sunday. 

GP and NHS – opening times over bank holiday 
All GP surgeries in Oldham will remain open during core hours (8am – 6.30pm) on the bank holiday. Remember, please don’t go to your practice in person – call first. 
If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical problem over the bank holiday weekend, which cannot wait until your GP practice re-opens, please call NHS111. 
The GP Extended Hours service is also open as usual offering a limited number of appointments for routine, non-urgent needs on bank holiday Friday evening and during the day Saturday and Sunday. Call 0161 934 2827 to book an appointment. 

Oldham Walk In Centre at the ICC remains closed until further notice.  

NHS 111 remains open 24 hours a day www.111.nhs.uk 
Most pharmacies will be open 2 to 5pm unless they have asked to close – for opening times got to the Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committees website here. 

Bereavement service 
At this difficult time, ff you’ve been bereaved and need support or advice you can call the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service on 0161 983 0902 or visit www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk 

Thank you to all the businesses that are helping with the crisis 
All last week on Facebook and Twitter we have been celebrating businesses that have been helping out across Oldham. Watch the video of leader of Oldham Council Sean Fielding talk about their good work. 

Safe Streets Save Lives 
The #SafeStreetsSaveLives campaign has been launched across Greater Manchester to help people to keep their distance for safe essential journeys and exercise during the coronavirus lockdown, and through recovery. 

It will create improved access for pedestrians and cyclists so that people can keep social distancing when using our streets and public spaces for essential journeys and exercise. 

It will include better access to schools and education centres and also look to remove any potential blockages such as badly parked vehicles. Road markings will be refreshed and we’ll also be working closely with TfGM so social distancing is observed on public transport. 

These plans also fit with our long term ambitions of becoming a greener borough. We would also like see work begin on plans for better cycling and walking routes. 

More information can be found here

Once approved, a list of the Safe Streets Save Lives schemes will be listed on TfGM’s website at: tfgm.com/safestreets  

Recycle your bicycle  
Do you have a bike in decent condition that you no longer use? Oldham’s @positive_cycles are refurbishing bikes and giving them to NHS and key workers – they’ve already handed over 20. For more information ring them on 0161 621 9250 and they will come and collect it. 

Business grants – more than £35.3m paid out 
We have now paid out more than £35.3 million in cash grants to support over 3,100 local businesses impacted by coronavirus. 
There are still eligible businesses that have not applied for the small business or retail, hospitality and leisure grants. Don’t miss out! 
Visit www.oldham.gov.uk/cashgrants 

Bridge work 
From Today until further notice, one lane of Oldham Way (heading towards King Street) will be closed from the Mumps/Lees Road/Huddersfield Road junction. It’s so we can carry out an essential inspection and maintenance of the footbridge over the road.