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Vaccination update

Covid vaccines are now being offered to 16 and 17-year-olds at walk-in clinics across Oldham via our walk-in centres.

The vaccine can reduce the chance of a 16 or 17-year-old being hospitalised due to Covid-related illness by 80%, This advice is from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) using the latest safety data which show high levels of protection after just one dose.

It couldn't be easier to get your vaccine as there are a range of walk-in clinics across the borough to choose from, with no appointment needed:
* High Street Pop-up Clinic, Street Market in front of the Market Hall’s main entrance, Oldham Town Centre, Saturday 21 August 11am to 5pm
* The European Islamic Centre, 79 Manchester Road, Oldham OL8 4LN - Every Sunday, 12noon to 7pm
* The Millennium Centre, Featherstall Road North, Oldham OL9 6QB - Every Wednesday, 12noon to 7pm
* Dinwoodie Centre, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH - Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday - 8:30am to 5:30pm and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 8:30am to 7:30pm.
* Pakistani Community Centre, Marlborough Street, Oldham, OL4 1EG - Saturday 21 August 9:15am to 6pm and Sunday 22 August 10:30am-5pm

Anyone over the age of 18 can also book an appointment via the National Booking System ([link removed])

View our full list of vaccination walk-in clinics, including some local pharmacy drop-ins, on our Coronavirus Vaccination Page ([link removed])

New Interim Chief Exec to be appointed

Harry Catherall and Cllr Arooj Shah A new interim Chief Executive is being recommended for appointment at our special meeting of Full Council on Wednesday, 25 August.

Following a meeting of the cross-party Appointments Committee last week, Harry Catherall, former Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, was unanimously recommended for appointment.

“I’m delighted to be recommended to Oldham’s Councillors as the new Chief Executive," Harry Catherall said. "Should I be formally appointed, I look forward to working with the wider council team to meet the priorities clearly set by the Council’s Leadership. Oldham clearly has an ambitious and positive vision for its future and I am keen to play my part in making the town’s plans a reality”

Harry's had a 40-year career in local government – starting as a 16-year-old apprentice and rising to Chief Executive. A trained accountant, Harry has undertaken a wide range of roles including leading high-performing children and adults social care services.

During his time at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Harry transformed the authority, reducing spending by 40% to meet reductions in funding. In addition, he drove forward an ambitious regeneration programme which saw Blackburn named Local Authority of the year.

Most recently Harry led St Helens Council as Chief Executive on an interim basis during 2019/20. He is also currently an Associate Non-Executive Director at the East Lancashire Hospital Trust, a role that he will be stepping down from to concentrate on his new position.

Tune in this Wednesday, 23 August at 6pm to watch therecommendation and decision made by Full Council ([link removed])


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Afghanistan: Oldham's response to the crisis

As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Afghanistan, the Government has announced a new "bespoke" resettlement scheme aimed at helping those most in need - including women and girls - to come to the UK.

Here in Oldham, we are working with central government, housing providers, and local and national partners to ensure we do all we can to help refugees fleeing the desperate situation in Afghanistan.

We know many people across the borough are keen to help in any way they can, and ensure clothes, food, toys, toiletries and other essentials are provided.

Care 4-Calais have agreed to take a lead across Greater Manchester on coordinating donations and offers of funds. This link provides a map of where donations of goods can be dropped off [link removed].

Current needs include:
* Men's clothes (including warm clothes)
* Men's shoes (ideally trainers)
* Underwear (must be new)
* Unlocked smartphones and tablets

All donations should be good quality, washed and clean (or new where possible).

As our response in Oldham and across GM develops, we will keep you up to date with further information.

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Is your boiler due an upgrade?

If your boiler is faulty or broken, you may be entitled to a FREE boiler replacement.

If you're an owner-occupier in receipt of benefits and your boiler has seen better days, get in touch with the team at Warm Homes Oldham and they can let you know whether you're eligible.

Even if you don't qualify for a replacement, they're able to give you advice on reducing your energy bills by making small energy-saving changes around your home.

The team can also help with switching energy supplier or tariff, claiming the Warm Homes Discount and registering on the Priority Services Register

For further details, visit: www.warmhomesoldham.org

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Taskforce launched to tackle issues affecting Oldham women

Inspirational women from across Oldham are being invited to join a new taskforce headed by Council Leader Arooj Shah, with the aim of addressing disadvantage and promoting greater equality.

The group, which is set to include representatives from the council and local MPs, along with women from Oldham businesses, charities and voluntary organisations, the arts and culture sector, educational institutions and more, will meet for the first time on Friday 3 September.

Their remit will be to explore issues that are affecting women in Oldham, to tackle any existing inequalities and deliver a series of projects that make a real difference to women and families in the borough.

Cllr Shah said: "I know that many people across Oldham are passionate about female empowerment and equality, and I want to bring these people together into a women’s taskforce."

Invitations are being sent to a number of women across the borough, of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds, to join the taskforce.

Head to our website to read more about this new network to empower women ([link removed])

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Domestic abuse - hearing from survivors

We want to find out how we can better support survivors and victims of domestic abuse.

Oldham’s Domestic Abuse Partnership has partnered with domestic abuse charity SafeLives UK to improve the way we support people who have lived experience of the issue.

Part of improving how things work means speaking to those who have had these experiences, and listening to what they have to say. A survey has been set up to gather survivor feedback:

Domestic abuse survey (http:// [link removed])

You will not be asked any personal details about your experience, and the information gathered will be completely confidential and anonymised in a final report.

This survey closes on 22 August.


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Don't Trash Oldham - first clean-up

The first of our Don’t Trash Oldham clean-ups are set to start on Wednesday, 1 September, as part of our £1.27m investment in cleaning up the borough.

Alexandra will be the first ward to be targeted by our team that will be out on the streets, both cleaning and promoting new behaviours around fly-tipping and litter. They’ll try to find any evidence linking the waste to an individual or business and we'll be prosecuting any offenders that are identified.

Once our staff have finished work in an area, we’ll move onto the next ward on the list.

We’ll be sharing the news via signage, social media, leaflets, door knocking and through the media.

The full rolling programme (subject to change) is on our website: Don't Trash Oldham ([link removed])


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For more information and advice about council services, visit
** www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus ([link removed])
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** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
** Website ([link removed])

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