Over 97,000 people in Portsmouth have now received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and there were 32 new cases of coronavirus reported in the city in the last seven days. However, it's important to remember that the virus is still with us, including the UK variant that spreads much more easily. When we meet with more people, there are more opportunities for the virus to spread so it's more important than ever to stick to hands, face, space and letting fresh air in. More changes have come into force today as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown. What's changing: More venues can open, including [...]

Here is a summary report of feedback we have received from Portsmouth residents about the impact that COVID-19 has had on their lives. COVID-19-Impact report of public Interactions with Healthwatch Portsmouth March 20-March 21

A national day of reflection is being planned to mark one year since the first coronavirus lockdown. It will take place on Tuesday 23 March - the same date people across the UK were told to stay at home for the first time last year. A minute's silence will be held at 12pm, followed by a bell ringing. People are also being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm with phones, candles and torches to signify a "beacon of remembrance". Prominent buildings and landmarks across the UK will also be lit up. Organisers want it to be an opportunity to remember all those who have died [...]

HIVE Portsmouth have been successful in securing £100,000 to deliver the ‘Encouraging Innovation Fund. With the support of the National Lottery Community Fund and Portsmouth City Council, HIVE will provide support for innovative ideas and projects within Portsmouth communities. We want to encourage anyone, from small local voluntary or community groups or individuals with lived experiences to apply for funding. Find out more at https://hiveportsmouth.org.uk/encouraging-innovation-grant The closing date for stage one applications is the 9th April with decisions being announced at the end of May. If you have any questions, then please email mailto:grants@hiveportsmouth.org.uk and our team will be able to support you as you develop your proposal. [...]

Energise Me and Sport England are launching a new Investing in Communities project. The project will support groups aims to reduce widening inequalities in physical activity and sport. Physical activity boosts wellbeing. It also reduces our risk of developing major illnesses by up to 50%. Energise Me and Sport England want everyone to enjoy this benefit. But some communities are less likely to take part in regular physical activity. COVID-19 research shows that the pandemic has compounded this. It has led to challenges for voluntary groups too. The project will support: people from lower income families people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities people living with [...]

The Mental Health and Money Management digital course will be held on Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 11am - 12.30pm. Once safe to do so they will also be running a face-to-face version of this course. Our courses are suitable for anyone living in the PO1 to PO6 postcode area that are wanting to know how to better manage their wellbeing. They also welcome those who are supporting someone else, as a loved one, a carer, a social worker or any other kind of healthcare professional. The course will explore the behaviours and reasons we might over spend, the links between money and emotions and budgeting. During [...]

The Government has published new Guidance on care home visiting. It acknowledges that “welcoming anyone into care homes from the community inevitably brings risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, these risks can be managed and mitigated, and they should be balanced against the importance of visiting and the benefits it brings to care home residents and their families.’ Since 8 March 2021 the Government advice is to support safe visiting: Every care home resident will be able to nominate a single named visitor who will be able to enter the care home for regular visits. These visitors should be tested using rapid lateral flow tests before every visit, [...]

We are supporting Eating Disorder week which is taking place 1-7 March 2021. Beat is hosting the campaign to create a future where people experiencing binge eating disorder are met with understanding and compassion. Binge eating disorder will affect one in fifty of us in our lifetime, it is the most common but least understood Eating Disorder. It isn’t about being greedy or lacking in willpower, but a serious mental illness which many suffer alone, often with the fear of how others might react being the reason they don’t reach out for help. Together, let’s raise awareness and let them know they’re not alone. ‘You [...]