Post office competition to suggest projects benefit communities

A competition launched today asks the public to suggest projects their local post office could start up to benefit the community, including mentoring for business start - ups, digital access and training and display space for local producers.

Successful schemes must be innovative and support the local community or small
businesses in the area. Judging takes place in the autumn. Information on the competition and a flyer for people to submit ideas to their local post office are now available on the
Post Office website.

NHS 111 service rolls out in Berkshire

The new NHS 111 service was launched in Berkshire in July. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you access the care you need, any time, any day. 

The service in Berkshire is being run by the South Central Ambulance Service who are local experts. On dialling 111 callers will be put through to a team of highly trained advisers, and experienced nurses and paramedics, receive a clinical assessment and be directed to the local service that can help them best at that time. This may be the nearest pharmacy, directions to an appropriate service such as the GP out of hours service or even dispatching an ambulance if required.

There will be only three numbers you need to know; 999 for life-threatening emergencies, your GP surgery for routine health conditions and 111 for urgent/unplanned health conditions or when you are unsure of which service to use.

Andy Ciecierski, NHS 111 Project Board Chair said:

“This simple, free to call, easy to remember number will make it easier for people in Berkshire to access the urgent care they require, no matter what time it is or where they are.

“So, if you’re worried about your child’s temperature, need an urgent prescription or health advice call 111 to speak to the team who will assess and help you straight away.”

For more information on NHS 111 visit nhs.uk/111 or contact nhs111berkshire.feedback@nhs.net

JOB ALERT: Vacancies at Surrey Community Action

Surrey Community Action (SCA) is a countywide charity providing support services to local charities and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural communities.  They are currently looking to fill two important roles within SCA.

Application packs and further information for both posts is available on their website www.surreyca.org.uk, via Anne Barry on 01483 447 116 or by email to anneb@surreyca.org.uk.

SCA are passionate about equality and so welcome applications from all sections of the community, and offer interviews to all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria.

Both roles are based in Burpham, Guildford, but involve travel throughout Surrey, so access to transport is essential.

Both posts are being re-advertised; previous applicants need not apply.

SCA is a Registered Charity (1056527) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (03203003).

Information Manager

Permanent post.  21 hours per week.  £30,000 pa pro-rata (£18,000) plus 5% pension.  Based in Burpham, Guildford.  Flexible hours.

Are you an expert in data management, and turning data from various sources into information that can be used to guide the work of the Voluntary Community and Faith Sector in Surrey?

We are seeking an information professional to collate comprehensive market information, knowledge and understanding including segmentation and needs of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS), to identify gaps in information, and help develop strategies to fill the gaps.

This critical role involves close working with other SCA staff and partners to ensure that we have the knowledge necessary to provide excellent support to the VCFS in Surrey.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 05 August 2013, with interviews scheduled during the week starting 19 August 2013.

For an informal discussion about the post, contact Jason Gaskell, Chief Executive, on 01483 447 100.

Community Development Worker

Permanent post, subject to funding. 28 hours per week. £26,308 pa pro-rata (£21,046) plus 5% pension. Based in Burpham, Guildford.

Do you have experience of community engagement, grants management and community buildings? Are you passionate about helping communities make the best use of their community buildings? Are you equally passionate about helping rural communities thrive?  

Surrey Community Action is seeking an enthusiastic and committed person to work with Surrey’s community buildings, to manage the Surrey Community Buildings Grant Scheme (SCBGS), to provide advice to community buildings and to develop community initiatives, responding to areas of need across rural Surrey.

This post involves close working with village and community halls management committees and local authority officers, the assessment of grant funding applications to SCBGS and helping to create creative solutions through community action and partnership work.   

Closing date for applications: 5pm Monday 5 August, with interviews Thursday 22 August 2013.

For an informal discussion, phone Mona Johansson on 01483 447 142.

StockFest 2013 Culture & Arts Festival - in the vibrant village of stockcross

StockFest 2013 Culture & Arts Festival in the vibrant village of stockcross

10-25 August 2013

Inspired by the vibrant village community, Stockfest 2013 is a celebration of local talent, arts, music, culture and sport. The festival has grown out of numerous successful village events including Jazz on the Glebe, an annual sell-out panto and popular Open Gardens Days.

Events this year include:

• Live Music
• Literature
• Theate
• Art and Dancing
• Crafts
• Village Games
• Scarecrow Trail
• Vintage Fayre
• Sports

This year Stockfest brings you over 35 events - so what are you waiting for? Come and join the fun!  Stockcross is easy to reach, situated on the B4000, just 2 miles west of Newbury near the A34/A4 junction. For further details please click here

New fuel poverty definition announced

Following an independent review and a consultation a new definition of fuel poverty has been set out. It is aiming to target resources at those who need it most. A household will be defined as ‘fuel poor’ if its:

• Total income is below the poverty line (taking into account energy costs); and
• Energy costs are higher than typical.

The current definition of fuel poverty is where a household spends 10% or more of income on energy costs. The reason for change is that the current definition includes some wealthy households but ignores others that need help with their energy costs.
 
Read more details including the background to the change at GOV.UK

Community Energy Fortnight

The Community Energy Fortnight, running from 24^th August to 8^th September 2013 is an activity of the Community Energy Coalition, sponsored by the Co-Operative. The Fortnight will inform, engage and inspire people about community energy through a series of events across the UK. Events will vary in scale and type, from talks to tours, from open days to workshops, project launches and share offers.

More community energy projects to get support under Feed - in Tariffs

Communities across the nation will be able to receive Feed- in Tariff (FITs) payments for the clean green energy generated by larger community energy projects, under new plans set out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). 

Projects such as solar PV on school roofs or panels on libraries, community owned wind turbi
nes and hydro power from local streams could all benefit under the proposed new rules.
 
The FITs scheme pays householders, businesses and communities for the electricity generated by a range of renewable energy technologies including solar PV, wind, hydro projects and anaerobic digestion. There is also money on offer for excess power exported back to the grid. More detail on the GOV.UK website

Rural broadband programme running late

The National Audit Office has published a report finding that the programme to deliver superfast broadband to 90% of communities in the UK is running two years late. The Department of Culture Media and Sport, which has responsibility, has said that the programme is likely to complete in 2017, 22 months late. 

The report also said only nine of 44 rural areas would reach targets for high-speed internet by 2015, and four areas could also miss a revised 2017 target.

Read the report and summary on National Audit Office website

New renewable energy guide for communities

 

A free, practical guide for communities who want to generate their own clean, green power is now available from the Community Council for Berkshire (CCB).

The guide comes hot on the heels of the Government’s announcement of a £15m fund to help rural communities kick start renewable energy projects.

The Renewable Energy Community Guide explains how generating electricity or heat from natural sources, such as sunlight, wind or waves, can help communities cut their carbon dioxide emissions and bring in income.

The guide has been produced by CCB’s national body, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and the Centre for Sustainable Energy. It gives advice on planning renewable energy projects, such as wind turbines, solar panels and biomass boilers.

It also explains how communities can benefit from Government incentive schemes that guarantee payment per kWh of electricity or heat. These schemes allow communities to invest profits in local initiatives, such as transport or youth facilities.

Case studies of successful projects are also featured, including:

• ·         A wind turbine in the village of Hockerton, Nottinghamshire, which will generate an estimated £60,000 payback for the village each year.
• ·         A wood pellet biomass boiler at the Grade II listed St Paul’s Church in Gulworthy Cross, Devon.
• ·         Two wind turbines that power the Wold Top Brewery and farm in East Yorkshire, creating a stable revenue stream.

Our Chief Operating Officer Tim Parry said: “Communities across the country are reaping the benefits of setting up their own renewable energy projects.

“Stiff global competition for conventional fuels such as coal, gas and oil, means that prices are likely to rise and stay high for the foreseeable future.

“Developing and owning a renewable energy source may mean you can save money on bills and generate income which can be invested in further energy-saving measures.

“Thus is especially important for people who may be struggling to pay their energy bills – 4.75 million people in the UK are in fuel poverty and spend more than 10% of their income on energy.

“In addition, using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels reduces carbon dioxide emissions, which in turn can help lessen the impact of climate change.

“Setting up a project may seem daunting but there is a wealth of help and advice available for communities who want to turn their natural resources into power. Our guide is an excellent place to start and name of RCC is well-placed to offer assistance and support for communities who wish to explore the potential of renewable energy.”

The guide, which is sponsored by Endurance Wind Power, is available for free download by clicking on this link.

The Government’s Rural Community Energy Fund, which is now open to applications, is aimed at helping rural communities access the money needed to carry out feasibility studies into renewable energy projects, and fund the costs associated with applying for planning permission. It is intended that projects will then be able to attract private finance to pay for renewable energy kit and get projects up and running. More information is available at www.wrap.org.uk.

Gift Aid small donations scheme

The new scheme has been introduced to allow charities to claim a top-up payment on cash donations of up to £20 received on or after 6 April 2013, without requiring Gift Aid declarations.

Charities will be able to claim on Gift Aid up to £5,000 per yea of small donations, which equates to £1,250. This scheme is ideal for small cash donations, which may be received in collection boxes or during religious services or fundraising events.

HMRC has issued guidance icluding who is eligible, what counts as a small dnation, working our how much you can claim and how to claim. These guides can be accessed at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gasds/index.htm

Story courtesy of ORCC

Ascot Retirement Fair

The Retirement Fair will be held on Wednesday 21st August 2013 in the Grandstand at Ascot Racecourse, admission is free.  If you are retired or about to retire the Fair is a must for you. There will be a fashion show and cookery demonstrations among the many attractions and professionals from the health service, pensions and council services to caring who will be ready to provide the advice that you may need.  All our exhibitors will be delighted to meet you. For further information please visit the Ascot Retirement Fair website or contact us on: 01344 626784 or email at: info@ascotretirementfair.com

Berkshire Healthcare NHS: "Big Conversation"

Berkshire Healthcare NHS invite you to “Big Conversation” Reading Town Hall, 9th July 2013 17.00-19.00pm to look at improving Carer and family experiences of Inpatient Mental Health Services at Berkshire Health Care. Are you a Carer, Family Member or Mental Health Worker who is interested in helping us to shape our services to meet the needs of Carers and families? Berkshire Healthcare NHS are holding a “Listening into Action” event and are keen to hear your views on how we can improve. To book a place please contact Eda O’sullivan  Email: Eda.O'Sullivan@berkshire.nhs.uk or telephone: 01344 415600  Transport can be arranged and carer /family transport costs reimbursed. Light Refreshments will be provided after the meeting.

Story courtesy of WBVSF

National Citizens Service

NCS is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity open to all 16 & 17 year olds in England, that helps build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and meeting new friends. It runs in the spring, summer and autumn. It involves being away from home for a short time and an opportunity to take part in a team project that will help your community.

For further details visit: http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/ then complete the sign-up form.