The Caring Company - Oxon ltd

22/12/2025

Winter is here. The days are short, the air is cold, and flu started circulating around 5 weeks earlier than usual this season, with a flu virus called H3N2 causing most of the cases so far. The H3N2 virus that

12/12/2025

IPC Winter 2025 Letter to the Adult Social Care Sector
Dear adult social care colleagues,

Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting those who rely on care and support services. Your dedication and compassion make a real difference, and we appreciate all that you do.

Winter can be challenging for the adult social care (ASC) sector due to severe weather, increased infection transmission, and other seasonal pressures. People who use ASC services are at higher risk of severe illness, so it’s vital that providers:

Encourage uptake of seasonal vaccinations
Prepare for increased infection risk
Respond quickly and effectively to outbreaks
Work in partnership with NHS colleagues
Taking proactive steps now will help protect both staff and those receiving care.

This letter provides updates on Infection prevention and control (IPC), winter preparedness, flu vaccination and visiting.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

We are aware that there is currently an increase in flu cases and outbreaks, and that this is being reflected in the media. Winter does typically bring an increase in flu, RSV, COVID-19, other respiratory infections, and norovirus. However, this year, flu is circulating earlier than expected and RSV is persisting longer, leading to more outbreaks and hospitalisations among vulnerable groups.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) should be applied at all times, whether infection is known or not to protect those who are higher risk of severe illness and to reduce the risk of transmission. These include:

Hand hygiene: Wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub between tasks and individuals.
Remember to avoid using alcohol-based hand rub when caring for an individual with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea as alcohol is not effective at killing the relevant bacteria.
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Ventilation: Regularly let fresh air into rooms and shared spaces.
Cleaning:
Shared equipment between individuals and after use
Frequently touched surfaces and communal areas
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriately when there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
Waste and linen handling: Follow correct segregation and precautions for potentially infectious items.
Support those receiving care to follow SICPs where possible. Further details are available in the following guidance: Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings - GOV.UK

Additional measures during outbreaks may include testing, enhanced PPE, vaccination, and post-infection treatments. For more information on SICPs, IPC measures and how to manage ARIs, please see:

Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings - GOV.UK
Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection - GOV.UK
People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 - GOV.UK
Vaccination

Vaccination is a vital defence against flu and COVID-19, reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and death. It is essential we protect those using adult social care services and those working across the sector.

Providers should:

Encourage all staff to book vaccinations promptly and explain their importance.
Ensure all those who access care and support services receive their vaccines, following the appropriate consent processes.
Share campaign materials (leaflets, posters, stickers) from the DHSC campaign resource centre.
Health and Social Care Worker flu vaccination campaign | Winter vaccinations | Campaign Resource Centre
Vaccinations | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre
More details are in this letter which was circulated 17 November 2025: UPDATE ON THE WINTER 25/26 FLU CAMPAIGN.

Visiting

Visits from family and friends are essential for wellbeing, especially during winter. Under CQC Regulation 9A, providers must respect each person’s right to receive visitors in line with their preferences.

Restrictions should only apply in exceptional circumstances during outbreaks, and only if risks cannot be mitigated through other precautions. For guidance on safer visiting during outbreaks, see: Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks - GOV.UK

Wider Winter Preparedness

Other key actions and resources to help:

Weather-Health Alerting System: Sign up for UKHSA alerts to receive early warnings about adverse weather, including Heat-Health and Cold-Health alerts.
Local support: Your local UKHSA Health Protection Team or IPC provider can offer advice and assistance. Find your local team via GOV.UK.
Guidance: Review Supporting vulnerable people before and during cold weather and UKHSA’s Winter Blog for practical tips.
Thank you once again for your commitment to keeping people safe and well this winter.

Claire Armstrong,

Director of Adult Social Care Data, Assurance and Operational Resilience

Please do not reply to this email as the inbox is not monitored.

17/11/2025

I may seem old and frail to you,
My “faculties” all gone.
I may need help in all I do,
But that doesn’t mean “I’m done”

I was just like you once, you know
My abilities all intact.
I had a job, a life, a home
And that, my dear carer, is a fact!

Just because I now need help
With any daily task
Doesn't mean I've lost my dignity
It's just something old age likes to mask

Please remember when you help me
That I'm still "ME" inside
So yes, though you wash and feed me
I still have my dignity and pride

Dignity is so important
It might be the last thing that I own
So please, dear carer, remember
To treat me as one of your own

By Jacqueline Harrison

13/10/2025

Calling all brown bin permit holders! You can have extra garden waste collected for free, on your normal scheduled collection day only, between 27 October and 7 November.

Leave out a maximum of four additional sacks of garden waste, per brown bin subscription, next to your brown bin.

To be eligible for a collection, please follow this guidance:
• Only present natural garden waste, such as cut grass, plants or small branches.
• Please use standard sized (60L) black refuse-style sacks or boxes / containers which combined total no more than a standard bin full
• Please DO NOT use bags larger than 60l (including one tonne builders’ type waste bags) – our crews will not collect any garden waste from these, as they are too heavy to lift and empty into the vehicle
• Bags and containers must be left open so crews can easily empty them into the rear of the vehicle and be able to check there are no contaminants

All the garden waste collected will be taken to a facility near Wallingford where it is composted. The compost will then be sold on to local farmers for use on their farmland as a soil conditioner.

08/10/2025

Local community initiative Warm Heart Banbury has launched an urgent appeal for public spaces to act as distribution points for free blankets and hats, following a recent interview with Capital Radio about the rising energy price cap.

The initiative aims to provide vital warmth to residents this winter who may struggle to heat their homes due to escalating costs.

The group's spokesperson emphasized a "no shame, no embarrassment" approach to collection.
"I want people to be able to go and pick one up, no questions asked," the spokesperson stated. "Just a warm hug for anyone who needs help keeping warm this winter."

The campaign's urgency is underscored by the tragic impact of fuel poverty.

The group highlighted a stark national statistic: "There are 9,000 - 10,000 deaths each year in the UK which are directly linked to a cold home. We need to do something about that!"

Warm Heart Banbury is now calling on the wider community to help secure venues for the distribution.

They are asking the public to approach local establishments—including coffee shops, community centres, clubs, and churches—to see if they would be willing to host a few blankets and hats for people to collect discreetly.

The group hopes that increased public awareness, boosted by the recent radio coverage, will enable them to place items in numerous easily accessible public spaces across the town.

To learn more about the initiative or to offer a distribution space, please visit the Warm Heart Banbury page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BLZWBx6ss/

Warm Heart is a new initiative supplying blankets, hats, and other items, to help people stay warm.

06/10/2025

06/10/2025
Body
Vaccination helps prevent you, your family, and others from becoming unwell. If you’re not sure about you or your child’s vaccine status your GP surgery can advise or you may also be able to view via the NHS app.

View local vaccine clinics here. This will be updated frequently so please revisit if you can’t see one near you.
Immunisation and vaccination - Stay Well

Winter vaccines
Winter isn’t just shorter days and colder nights—it’s also the perfect season for viruses to spread. When people spend more time indoors together, illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV have an easier time moving from person to person. The cold, damp weather can also put extra strain on your body, making it harder to fight off infections.

Pregnant women and parents of children age 2-16 can book a flu vaccine from 1 September.

The NHS National Booking Service opens for bookings in October: Vaccination and booking services – NHS.

A simple jab now can make a big difference all season.



Flu
Flu hits hardest in winter and can be serious for older people, young children, and those with health conditions. The flu jab is the best protection and the vaccine is made each year to match the latest strains, which is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.

Who can get it:

Anyone age 65+.Children aged 2 and 3 years (on 31 August 2025), Primary school-aged children (Reception to Year 6) and some secondary school pupils (Years 7 to 11). Parents and carers can book their child’s flu vaccine appointment from 1 September. Most children get a small nasal spray in each nostril which only takes a few seconds and there’s no needle. Some children will have an injection instead due to certain health conditions or family preference. Both options protect against flu. Your nurse, GP, or school immunisation team will advise which one is right for your child. Community pharmacies will also be offering free flu vaccinations for 2 and 3 year olds from 1 October. Read more about flu vaccine for children here: Children’s flu vaccine – NHS.Pregnant women can book a vaccine appointment from 1 September. Read more about flu vaccination in pregnancy here: The flu jab in pregnancy – NHS.Anyone aged 6 months and over who has a long-term health condition, such as severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.People living with someone with a severely weakened immune system.Carers who receive Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person.People living in residential care homes.
Where to get it: GP surgeries, community pharmacies, some schools, and pop-up vaccination clinics.

More advice available on the NHS website and find symptoms and how to treat flu here: Flu – NHS


Covid-19
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. A booster helps top up your immunity and lowers the risk of severe illness, especially during the busy winter months.

People newly diagnosed as immunosuppressed or who fit eligibility criteria should contact their GP or hospital specialist to request vaccination outside the seasonal programme in spring and winter.

You can still catch or spread COVID-19 after vaccination, so follow NHS advice to stay safe.

Winter Covid-19 jabs available for eligible patients
The booster vaccine helps top up your immunity and lowers the risk of severe illness, especially over winter months.

Who can get it:

people aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)anyone aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatmentpeople living in a care home for older adults
Where to get it: GP surgeries, pharmacies, community vaccination centres, and some hospitals.

Find out more about the Covid-19 vaccine here: Covid-19 vaccine – NHS


Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can cause serious breathing problems in babies, older adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immunity. The RSV vaccine helps protect those most at risk.

Who can get it:

Anyone aged 75 to 79 (your GP will send an vaccination invite).Pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their babies (speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about the vaccine).People with conditions that make them more vulnerable to chest infections.
Where to get it: GP surgeries, maternity services (for pregnancy vaccination), and hospital clinics.

Find out more here: RSV vaccine – NHS



MMR vaccine vaccine
Did you know that two doses of the MMR vaccine give excellent lifelong protection?

The MMR vaccine helps prevent against Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

If you or your child have missed out, contact your GP surgery to book. Your GP will offer your child one vaccine dose when they are a year old and another at 3 years, 4 months. Both doses are needed to be fully protected.


Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.
It spreads very easily and can be serious.

The whooping cough vaccine is given to:
The 6-in-1 vaccine – for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeksThe 4-in-1 pre-school booster – for children aged 3 years 4 monthsPregnant women at around 20 weeks – to help protect your baby for the first few weeks of their life.
Speak to your GP surgery or midwife if you’re 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered the whooping cough vaccine.


School age vaccines
Children and young people are offered routine vaccines at school, but if they missed these for any reason speak to your GP surgery to arrange a catch-up vaccine. You can also catch up with these vaccines as an adult if you missed out, your GP surgery will can advise.

Routine vaccines include those listed below. There are catch up clinics for those who may have missed out.

Td/IVP: Tetanus, Diphtheria and PolioMen ACWY: Meningitis and septicaemia HPV: Human papillomavirusMMR: Measles Mumps and RubellaDtap: Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)

Shingles
Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash and can sometimes lead to more serious problems. Being vaccinated reduces the chance of catching shingles and if you do catch it, reduces the possibility of more serious problems developing.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for:

anyone aged 50+ with a severely weakened immune systemanyone turning 65 on or after September 2023anyone aged 70 to 79
More information, including a handy eligibilty calculator can be found here: getshinglesready.co.uk


MPox
Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy.

There have been a small number of cases of mpox in the UK since 2022. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

More information about mpox and vaccination can be found here: Mpox – NHS

Mpox can spread through:

direct contact with rash, skin lesions or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, snot or mucous
contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) or other objects and surfaces used by someone with mpox


Pneumococcal vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis. It’s recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses, including:

meningitis(an infection in the brain and spinal cord)sepsis(a life-threatening reaction to an infection)pneumonia(an infection in the lungs)
The pneumococcal vaccine can only been given by a healthcare professional at your GP surgery. They will usually contact you if you or your child are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine.

You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections if you have:

a long-term condition that affects your breathing such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosisa long-term condition that affects your heart such as coronary heart disease or heart failurechronic kidney diseasea long-term condition that affects your liver such as cirrhosisdiabetesa weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV, or a treatment such as steroid medicine or chemotherapya condition where fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord leaks out (cerebrospinal fluid leaks)sickle cell disease, problems with your spleen or you have had your spleen removedcochlear implants
Read more: Pneumococcal vaccine – NHS

29/09/2025

29/09/2025
Body
Could Homesharing be for you? This week is 2025 and we’re celebrating the incredible difference these living arrangements can make for everyone involved.
Our Homeshare Oxfordshire service carefully matches older people looking for a little help or companionship at home with someone who can lend a hand — and who needs affordable accommodation.
👉 Join Homeshare UK's webinar tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10.30am to celebrate and learn more about Homeshare:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Celebrating Homeshare - Safe Support and Companionship. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

29/09/2025

Please be aware, if you receive scam text regarding unpaid council tax, the number quoted to ring is a known reported scammer calling.

If possible, REPORT (forward to 7726) Block the sender, then DELETE the text

24/09/2025

• 24/09/2025

Residents are now able to apply for permits ahead of the launch of Oxfordshire County Council’s temporary congestion charge in Oxford, using an online permit registration system.
The county council’s scheme to tackle traffic problems in Oxford in the short-term is planned to start on Wednesday 29 October.
The temporary congestion charge will reduce traffic in the city during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road, making journeys quicker, more connected, more flexible and more reliable. When Botley Road reopens, the council will be able to introduce its traffic filter trial as planned.
Cars with a valid permit will be able to drive free of charge through all six congestion charge locations in Oxford.
People driving a car without a permit can pay a £5 daily charge to drive through the charge locations. The charge will be payable only once per day and allows travel through multiple charge locations per day, or any single charge location multiple times per day.
Any vehicle that isn’t a car – for example: van, motorbike and bus – will be automatically exempt from the temporary congestion charge and owners of these vehicles do not need to apply for a permit.
Permits are available for residents, blue badge holders, community health and care workers, mobile traders, patients with frequent hospital visits, and many other groups.
Following the public consultation in the summer, two new permit types were added to the scheme, allowing free travel for members of sports clubs or military training in the Oxford permit area and for pool cars owned and operated by businesses or organisations in the Oxford permit area.
To support their permit application, people are asked to provide evidence of their eligibility, for instance a proof of address, the V5C (logbook) for the car they’re applying for, or valid blue badge. All details are of the requirements for each type of permit are clearly listed on the permit application webpage.
Residents can get help with permit registration or apply by calling customer services on: 01865 519800.
With the money the congestion charge raises, the council will fund better public transport options and more travel connections locally, giving people more choice in how they travel.
More information and how to apply online can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestioncharge
The roads affected include Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, Thames Street and St. Clement’s Street every day from 7am to 7pm, as well as Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way Monday to Saturday from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.
List of available permit types:
• central permit area resident
• central permit area resident’s visitors
• central permit area workplace parking
• Oxford permit area resident
• Oxfordshire permit area resident
• blue badge holders
• disabled tax class vehicle
• personal car used by a community health or care worker
• organisational shared cars (pool cars)
• school car used for home-to-school transport
• organisational shared cars (“pool cars”)

This information includes a map, how to apply for a permit and how to pay the congestion charge.

17/09/2025

15/09/2025

With autumn and winter approaching, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re ready for the colder nights ahead. Oxfordshire County Council is reminding residents about free electric blanket testing happening across the county later this month.

Last year, over 30% of blankets tested by the Council did not pass the safety check — so it’s really important to have yours tested before winter.

Sessions are run by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team. Full addresses and time slots are provided when you book your appointment at one of the following locations:

September 2025

Monday 22nd – Rosehill, Oxford

Tuesday 23rd – Henley-on-Thames

Wednesday 24th – Bicester

Thursday 25th – Chipping Norton

Friday 26th – Abingdon

October 2025

Monday 6th – Risinghurst, Oxford

Tuesday 7th – Didcot

Wednesday 8th – Banbury

Thursday 9th – Witney

Friday 10th – Wantage

You can book your free electric blanket test today to stay safe and warm this winter on the Oxfordshire County Council website, by calling 01865 519 800 (and selecting option 4), or by emailing duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

09/09/2025

Everyone is invited to join us at our first ever Didcot Garden Town Community Update Meeting, which is a drop-in event from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday 18 September at the District Community Centre, 1 Gentian Mews, Great Western Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 6GR.

The event is an opportunity for everyone to meet the Didcot Garden Town team and other organisations to hear about the latest news and updates on the health, wellbeing, sport and leisure projects and developments in the town.

Pop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm to:

come and see what the new vibrant wayfinding signage will look like and where it will be popping up across Didcot
have your say on what improvements they'd like to see around the town’s green spaces in Station Road, Hitchcock Way, on Ladygrove and paths in south Didcot and Great Western Park
give your ideas for exciting public art projects for Cow Lane and Edmonds Park
discover what schools, sports and recreation and other community facilities are currently available and new facilities that will be provided in the future
housing developers will be attending to provide information on what facilities will be built on their new developments over the next few years
discover a wide range of healthy activities and groups there are for you to join in the local area
The decision to hold two Community Update meetings a year follows the councils’ Cabinet decision to replace the Parish, Residents and Business Sounding Board meeting, with this event being our first.

If you have any questions, please email the garden town team by emailing didcotgardentown@southandvale.gov.uk

We look forward to sending you our next newsletter in October to give you an update on all our projects. If you haven’t already done so and would like to, you can sign up to our regular newsletter