Find out this weeks news from Oldham Council along with the latest on Covid.

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Energy rebate update
------------------------------------------------------------

Due to the ongoing rise in energy costs, the Government recently announced that local authorities will pay households who live in properties in Council Tax bands A to D, a one-off Council Tax Energy Rebate of £150 to help towards their energy bills.

Now that we have made the necessary arrangements for these payments to be issued, we have begun making payments directly into the bank accounts of those people who pay their council tax by Direct Debit.

If you don’t pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit and are eligible for a rebate, you do not have to do anything. We’re in the process of issuing you a letter which contains vouchers you can use to redeem your cash payment at a local post office. These letters are expected to be delivered in June so please wait for this to arrive.

We will also be distributing discretionary payments in two phases to support those residents most in need and details on this can be found below.

Please continue to check this web page ([link removed]) for more updates, including a rebate payment schedule, and thank you for your continued patience.
Chadderton Way: lane closure

A lane closure will be put in place on Chadderton Way in between the exit from
B & Q to the Burnley Lane exit and heading towards the M62.

The closure is needed so builders can carry out works on the new £10m Swansway Motor Group Volkswagen garage.

The work will take place between 16 May and 27 June.

Once work is finished on the new garage employees will transfer over from the current Volkswagen site on Manchester Road and 45 new jobs will be created.

Delays are expected so please use other routes if you can.
[link removed]
Win £350 shopping vouchers

Have your say on smoking and its impact on your local community for the chance to win £350 of shopping vouchers.

The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a new survey to better understand how smoking affects people living in social housing. To take part in the survey you must be over the age of 16 and currently living in social housing in Greater Manchester – this means your home is rented from a housing association or local council who act as your landlord.

Complete the survey ([link removed]) by Friday 27 May 2022 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win £350 worth of Love2Shop vouchers which can be spent across hundreds of participating retailers. T&Cs apply.
[link removed]
I've been there

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and the theme is ‘Loneliness’ and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

If you want to participate use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.

You can also sign up to walk, run or jog as part of a 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

We want to do our bit to ensure you’re looking after your mental health, so Oldham Council has paid for all residents over the age of 16 to access free 24/7 online mental health support from Togetherall ([link removed]) . Young people under 16 can access Kooth, ([link removed]) the online mental wellbeing community.

As part of the week we’re now also asking people to help shape our suicide prevention strategy by filling in this survey ([link removed]) . We want to know what you think of the plan so far, and what else you think needs to be included to protect Oldham residents from suicide and self-harm. You can fill in the survey here.
[link removed]
Do you have the right pharmacies in your area?

We want your views on whether or not the pharmacies in your area are meeting your needs.

That’s why we’re launching a pharmaceutical needs assessment to determine whether current and future pharmaceutical services are suitable in your area.

This survey ([link removed]) has been put together so you can share your thoughts with us. Please take the time to go through it so we can get a better picture of what pharmacies your community needs.
[link removed]
Think Better Mental Health with Tiny Happy People

The mental health of both parents/carers and their child is closely linked, therefore nurturing positive parental mental health and wellbeing is key for helping children stay happy and maintaining their development.

NHS research suggests that 1 in 8 pregnant women will experience depression and that postnatal depression affects 1 in 10 women, whilst 1 in 10 dads-to-be will also become depressed during their partner’s pregnancy, with first time dads particularly susceptible.

If this sounds familiar then don’t struggle in silence. Check out these resources from Tiny Happy People ([link removed]) to get practical tips and activities to improve your mental wellbeing today.
[link removed]


** It's never to late to get jabbed
------------------------------------------------------------

It’s not too late to get your first, second or booster vaccine dose.

COVID-19 is still active, and the vaccine offers the best protection against becoming seriously unwell, staying out of hospital and passing the virus on to others.

People can find their nearest centre or book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covid-booster or by calling 119 free of charge.

============================================================
Follow us on:
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** LinkedIn ([link removed])
** LinkedIn ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])

For more information and advice about council services, visit
** www.oldham.gov.uk ([link removed])
** ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom