For the latest information about Coronavirus in Derbyshire visit

www.joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/public-info-covid-19

Nosy Crow, publishers of this book, write on their website: 'Axel Scheffler has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. Published by Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company, the book has had expert input: Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What's going to happen next?

Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, said:

"I asked myself what I could do as an children's illustrator to inform, as well as entertain, my readers here and abroad. So I was glad when my publisher, Nosy Crow, asked me to illustrate this question-and-answer book about the coronavirus. I think it is extremely important for children and families to have access to good and reliable information in this unprecedented crisis, and I hope that the popularity of the books I've done with Julia Donaldson will ensure that this digital book will reach many children who are now slightly older, but might still remember our picture books."

Professor Graham Medley, Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:

"This pandemic is changing children's lives across the globe and will have a lasting impact on us all. Helping children understand what is going on is an important step in helping them cope and making them part of the story – this is something that we are all going through, not something being done to them. This book puts children IN the picture rather just watching it happen, and in a way that makes the scary parts easier to cope with."

You can download a copy of the book here

There is something special about a friendly letter arriving in the post. There are a lot of elderly people in the Derby area who would be very pleased to receive one. A letter wouldn't take long to write, but would give a lonely elderly person pleasure and reassurance.

Age UK write:

'People needing to shield themselves from the coronavirus COVID19 will find this time a struggle as they are unable to meet friends and family or leave their home.

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire are working to find ways of making sure older people feel valued and in contact with the outside world. If you would like to help writing a letter might be one way.

We are in contact with many older people who normally attend our services and places like our Chaddesden Park Centre for activities and social contact. We are working hard to ensure they get regular telephone contact from a familiar voice but a letter would give a real boost too.'

To find out more about how you can help, click on the link below:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/derbyandderbyshire/about-us/news/articles/2020/letters/

The link below contains helpful information about promoting mental health during the pandemic.

https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus

Free online prescription ordering service from Lloyds pharmacists.

https://www.echo.co.uk

Although it isn't appropriate to take gifts of necessities to food banks in person at the moment, they are especially grateful for donations online. This is a challenging time for us all, but particularly for those whose income – and supply of food - is not reliable.

One local food bank is the Hope Centre in Curzon Street, Derby, who Quarndon Parish Council supported at the St Paul's Christmas Tree festival in 2019.

Their bank details are:

Sort code 60 05 16

Account 19562160

And reference it 'food bank'

Parishioners may know of others: suggestions to web@quarndon-pc.gov.uk