We Are Bristol Cornavirus Hotline
A dedicated free telephone hotline has been launched in Bristol to help the city’s most vulnerable citizens during the coronavirus pandemic.
The We Are Bristol support phone number – 0800 694 0184 – is now live today and is free to use. It will offer a potential lifeline to isolated and worried residents across the city.
Call handlers will be available from 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays to provide support for people with a wide range of needs, including obtaining food supplies, other essential items and medication. They can also help arrange follow-up support with different organisations.
Deaf BSL users can contact the phoneline through a BSL Interpreter using SignVideo.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:
“The free hotline is in place to ensure we have a non-digital way for our most vulnerable residents and those at risk to access the help they may need, wherever we can. The coronavirus pandemic means many of us are worried, anxious and need help. Here in Bristol we have volunteers who are waiting to help you – when you most need it.
“Anyone concerned about feeling isolated, getting food, essential items or medicine they need could benefit from the phone line. Even if you simply need someone to walk your dog or a person to talk to once a week. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.
“Call the We Are Bristol support hotline on 0800 694 0184. Together we are stronger. Together We Are Bristol.”
The line will be answered by up to 30 staff who are all trained to handle calls and refer those with specific needs to the right areas.
There will also be a call back option to limit waiting time during busy periods and ensure everyone who needs help can access it.
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Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Assistant Priest
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman, Curate
Preached by the Revd Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar
