News / Scam warning, fire safety advice for bairns, free meals, Market House remains closed, local food directory
THE SCAMBUSTERS Shetland partnership is reminding people to keep on their guard against scam callers as some local people continue to be caught out by people pretending to be their bank.
The council’s trading standards team leader David Marsh said scammers would often use clever and sophisticated tricks to make their calls seem believable.
“The caller is also likely to urge you to respond quickly, not giving you time to think through what they are asking you to do,” said Marsh, who is also the chair of the Shetland financial harm sub-committee.
His advice is:
- Don’t ever reveal personal banking details to someone who calls you out of the blue;
- Put down the phone, make sure your line is clear by phoning someone you know, and then phone your bank using a number you can trust;
- If the caller was genuine, they won’t mind you making sure – and you could be saving yourself from a lot of heartache and trouble.
PARENTS in Shetland can now access home-schooling packs created by a local fire fighter to teach children of all ages how to prevent, detect and escape from fire.
The online resource was created by watch commander Amy Gerrard. She said: “With the schools closed, and also being a mum myself, I was aware of the new ways that schools have been educating pupils online.
“It can be a challenge to keep your kids occupied right now and I hope this gives parents an extra resource to draw upon.”
The education pack was welcomed by Helen Budge, the council’s director of children’s services, and it can be downloaded at https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sh/digitalschoolhub/health-and-wellbeing/fire-safety/
GULBERWICK, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council still have several free hot meals available tomorrow lunchtime (Friday) as part of a service it is providing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meals will be cooked at Mackenzie’s Farm Shop and Café and delivered to people’s home address free of charge if they are unable to pick them up themselves.
Community council clerk Kerry Geddes said: “If anyone in Gulberwick, Quarff or Cunningsburgh is ill, not managing to eat properly, lonely, vulnerable, a busy key worker not eating properly, or is not doing well mentally or physically for whatever reason, we can confidentially offer them and their partner/family a free meal.”
Geddes can be contacted by phoning either 01595 692728 or 07385 262830 or via the community council’s Facebook page.
VOLUNTARY Action Shetland has announced that its offices at Market House in Lerwick will remain closed to the public until 20 June.
Executive officer Catherine Hughson said: ”Although Market House is closed to the public the majority of the organisations that operate from Market House continue to work remotely delivering their services as well as assisting with huge amount of support to the most vulnerable individuals and assisting communities Shetland wide.”
She added that the office could potentially be opened sooner should the rules and guidelines as set by government change.
In the meantime staff contact details can be found on the charity’s website at: www.va-shetland.org.uk
NINE Shetland businesses have so far signed up to a new ‘support local’ directory set up to raise awareness of the food and drink produce available within communities across the country.
Scotland Food and Drink launched the platform in late April to help producers, wholesalers and retail outlets reach as many local consumers as possible amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Local businesses signed up to the directory includes Busta House, The Island Larder, Lerwick Brewery, Mackenzie’s Farm Shop, Sandwick Baking Company, Shetland Farm Dairies, Thule Ventus, Uradale Farm and Whalsay Made.
Shetland Food and Drink manager Claire White said: “This new directory is a brilliant tool to make it easier than ever for folk to find out what fresh produce is available, and to shop local and support businesses in their own communities.
The directory can be found at www.foodanddrink.scot/support-local/
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