18 March 2021

• Location: Zoom

• Time: 18:00 - 19:00

• Cost: Free

A great opportunity to join us and have all your fostering questions answered. Book your place below and we'll email you the Zoom link.

Are you interested in finding out more about fostering?

The Coventry fostering team are running a number of virtual information events just for you. Book online and we'll send you the link to the Zoom event.

Meet the team and find out more about fostering with Coventry City Council.

There are different ways you can foster, so whether you are completely new to the idea or an experienced foster carer looking to take on a more specialist role, come along and we can chat through the options.

The Leader of Coventry City Council today joined a region-wide call for people not to drop their guard as the COVID-19 vaccine programme continues across the region.

Case rates remain high in the West Midlands and hospitals are under huge pressure, with the latest official figures showing that almost 40,000 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus across the UK.

The vaccine roll-out is one cause for optimism, but echoing the fears from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), Cllr George Duggins joined the leaders of Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils in urging people to stick to the rules around social distancing and hygiene.

Cllr Duggins said: “The rates are still high, and we cannot afford to relax now after all we have been through and all the sacrifices people have made.

"As more people are being called for vaccination, it's crucial that we all continue to do everything we can to keep the people we love safe. Don't be tempted to bend the rules, and please continue to follow the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ advice to keep yourself and others safe.

"The vaccination roll-out has given everyone hope that we can finally bring this pandemic to an end, but we're not out of the woods yet - far from it. So we can't afford to drop our guard."

Cllr Duggins has urged people to remember the 'Hands, Face, Space' advice and make sure they wash their hands regularly, wear face coverings in public, and keep to social distancing guidelines. And he has also called on people to take up the virus when they receive their appointments, and take regular tests if they cannot stay at home..

The city now has three testing centres – at the Transport Museum in the city centre; the Indian Community Centre in Foleshill; and the Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre in Wood End.

​To find out more about testing, coronavirus or local restrictions and support, visit www.coventry.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Tuesday, 19 January 2021

The University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire is set to be granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Coventry.

The honour was proposed in Full Council by Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr George Duggins, who said it was in recognition of the ‘incredible work’ of NHS staff at the hospital and across the city.

The proposal will have to be formally agreed by Full Council at a future meeting. Once agreed, hospital representatives will be invited to a presentation and there could then be a parade to allow the city to show its thanks.

Cllr Duggins said: “We have always known we have a tremendous hospital, with wonderful, dedicated staff, but that has been made even more evident in recent months.

“Our NHS workers have done an incredible job to combat COVID-19. They have been on the frontline since the very beginning, risking their own health and safety to protect others and save lives.

“We have shown our thanks through doorstep claps and messages of support, but I believe we need to award a formal honour – one which will last forever and show our city’s gratitude.

“We can never thank the hospital and its staff enough for what has been done in these past few months, and for the work that lies ahead, but I hope this goes some way to showing how much we appreciate their hard work and sacrifice.

“The Freedom of Entry to our great city is only given very rarely, but I cannot think of a more suitable recipient than UHCW and its staff.

“I look forward to the day when we can present the award and stand together as a city to cheer the workers parading through our streets. It will be a fantastic day for Coventry – and one the hospital will have helped to make possible.”

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “It will be an incredible honour to be granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Coventry.

“This is a testament to the hard work, dedication and service of each of our 10,000 plus staff and volunteers committed to delivering outstanding healthcare to our patients.”

Dame Stella Manzie, Chair of UHCW NHS Trust, added: "We are so very grateful to Coventry City Council for honouring the contribution of the Trust during these unprecedented times.

“It will mean a great deal to receive this accolade from the city and its communities – UHCW could not do what it does without the support from everyone in the city.”

The honour was granted to HMS Diamond, Coventry’s adopted ship, in 2014, when the crew marched through the city to the cathedral, greeted by flag-waving residents.

A formal report will be taken through Coventry City Council in the near future detailing the proposal.