Dementia Awareness Training in the Community

Alzheimers Dementia Support have been commissioned by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead to provide free of charge Dementia Awareness Training to empower employees and individuals in situations where a person may appear disoriented or confused. Group bookings can also be arranged free of charge for between 10-25 delegates in house at your facility.

We have already had a number of local solicitors and financial advisors attend, as well as community wardens and PCSO's, as part of their Continued Professional Development.

We are still looking for people in the Royal Borough to take up this opportunity and wondered if you would mind having a look at the link below, by copying it into your web browser, to all of our scheduled events.

Sincere apologies if you have already attended or declined but perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing this with any interested parties.
http://alzheimersdementiasupport.eventbrite.co.uk?s=17351393

Maidenhead - URC                        Windsor - Spencer Denny Centre

20th January   2-4pm                    15th January  9.30am-11.30am
23rd January  6.30-8.30pm          27th January 6.30-8.30pm
11th March 6.30-8.30pm               5th February 9.30-11.30am
7th April 2-4pm                               26th February 9.30am-11.30am
15th April 10am-12pm                  19th March 9.30am-11.30am
                                                           23rd April 6.30-8.30pm

Message for Rural Communities from Thames Valley Police

Farm security assessment available to download

Thames Valley Police have produced a farm security assessment for farm owners, managers, employees and land owners to help them improve the security of their premises.

The security assessment has been put together by Thames Valley Police’s crime prevention and reduction advisors and contains advice on low cost security solutions in a common sense approach.

In the assessment you will find crime prevention advice about:

• Controlling access to farms
• Tools
• Metal theft
• Agricultural machinery protection
• Field security
• Livestock
• Wildlife crime
• Out buildings
• Home security

You can view and download the farm security assessment from the Thames Valley Police website. 

Protect your agricultural or plant machinery with 20 per cent discount on CESAR security kits

Thames Valley Police continue to offer a discount on Datatag’s CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration) kits to residents living in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. 

The benefits of getting your equipment registered with CESAR include:

•    Easily identifiable machinery
•    Swift identification should your machinery get stolen
•   Swift return of stolen machinery to the rightful owner
•   CESAR security symbol on the machinery will deter thieves

The standard price for the CESAR kit is £149 plus VAT. The Thames Valley Police discount allows residents to have the kit installed for £88 plus VAT

Find out more about the CESAR scheme on the official website.

To take advantage of this offer, call the Datatag booking line 01784 778 310 and mention Thames Valley Police. NFU Mutual also offers a security discount to their members when your vehicle is registered with the CESAR scheme.

Have your say on the Future of the NHS

NHS England is calling on patients, the public and staff to join in a discussion about the future of the NHS, so it can plan how best to deliver services, now and in the years ahead.

It has launched “The NHS belongs to the people: a call to action”. This sets out the current issues facing the NHS, identifies future challenges and the impact on funding of doing nothing.

There have already been changes to make savings and improve productivity. The NHS is on track to find £20 billion of efficiency savings by 2015. However, further change is needed to protect high quality healthcare, free at the point of use. This does not mean cutting core NHS services or charging for them. NHS England is governed by the NHS Constitution which protects these principles.

The launch of the Call to Action heralded the beginning of a nationwide programme of engagement to being a public debate on the difficult questions, seek ideas and feedback. Three public engagement events were held during November in Reading, Newbury and Wokingham district where people were invited to discuss our plans and local priorities, and give their views.

There is now an online questionnaire for each Berkshire West area which you can access via the health network and/or your local Clinical Commissioning group website. The questionnaire asks the same questions that were posed at the public events so that you too can give your views. There is a survey document available within each consultation which we encourage you to read first.

You can access a copy of the questionnaire and the document via the Health Network on the following link:-

Call to Action Berkshire West

Healthwatch Wokingham are looking for Champions

 
Healthwatch Wokingham are looking for Healthwatch Champions to help us in our quest to improve health and social care services. They are looking for people willing to volunteer a few hours a month in order to be part of an Enter and View visiting team. The team will occasionally visit local services to see how they run and talk to patients or service users about their experiences of the service. 

Full training and support will be provided. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience of the health or social care sector – only requirement is that you are an interested individual. Do something for your community and volunteer your services! If you think you could be a champion or would like to be involved in anyway get in touch; Wokingham Healthwatch are based at Citizens Advice Bureau 26-28 Market Place, Wokingham, RG40 1AP if you'd rather pop in and see someone or you can call us on 0118 4181418. 
Email at enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Nicola Strudley, Locality Manager of Healthwatch Wokingham on 07920 506401 or email address: Nicola.strudley@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk 

Government announces numbers affected by the Bedroom Tax

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the first official figures of people affected by the under occupancy subsidy or bedroom tax. They show more than 429,000 people were penalised for having one bedroom too many, losing an average of £12.66 a week; more than 92,000 were penalised for having two excess bedrooms, and were losing an average of £23.43 a week.
 
The government said that the number of households affected is reducing, with 24,000 fewer claimants affected in August than May. This may be because people have found work so are not eligible for housing benefit or moved out of social housing.

Last week Labour lost its attempt to scrap the bedroom tax in the House of Commons by 252 to 226, a government majority of just 26.

Read more on the Guardian website

Train and Qualify Your Staff for FREE

 

Two free Training courses are currently available  in Berkshire which may be of interest to voluntary and community organisations.

Train and Qualify your Customer Service staff
Free* training programme leading to BTEC Certificate in Customer Service
Comments from recent participants:
“This course will make a big difference to my understanding of customer service and being the ‘face’ of my organisation.”
“I feel so much more confident in dealing with people. This course has really helped.”
Comments from an employer:
“My staff always come back from your courses full of ideas and enthusiasm.”
Do you believe in the value of continuous learning for your customer facing staff? If so, are you prepared to support them to attend high quality, practical training workshops that will increase their confidence and effectiveness, helping to give your business additional competitive edge?
If so, you and they will benefit from:

• BTEC and NVQ Certificates in Customer Service
• Functional Skills certification
• Personal Learning & Thinking Styles
• Employment Rights & Responsibilities

Eligibility for funding
*This offer is possible through adult apprenticeships, and is free to those who are in paid employment and not already educated to degree or Level 4 standard.
You get up to three one-day workshops plus 1:1 and email coaching and support to complete assignments and produce evidence while you work.
Delivered by
BSEL and Alan Hester Associates Limited alanhester@btinternet.com 07970 522760

Train and Qualify your Team Leaders
Free* training programme leading to BTEC Certificate in Team Leading
Comments from recent participants:
“Excellent delivery – the trainer really knew his stuff”
“Jargon-free, real and hugely useful”
Comments from an employer:
“Developing the skills of our staff is vital to our business. We recruit the right personalities and then give them training in the skills. Alan has helped us with that programme for the past five years and he is invaluable to its success”
“Great programme. So glad we took it up”
Do you believe in the value of continuous learning for your team leaders and managers? If so, are you prepared to support them to attend high quality, practical training workshops that will increase their confidence and effectiveness, helping to give your business additional competitive edge?
If so, you and they will benefit from:

• BTEC & NVQ Certificates in Team Leading
• Functional Skills certification
• Personal Learning & Thinking Styles
• Employment Rights & Responsibilities

Eligibility for funding
*This offer is possible through adult apprenticeships, and is free to those who are in paid employment and not already educated to degree or Level 4 standard. You get up to four one-day workshops plus 1:1 and email coaching and support to complete assignments and produce evidence while you work. Delivered by BSEL and Alan Hester Associates Limited alanhester@btinternet.com 07970 522760

Active West Berkshire - Inspire Celebration Networking and Information Event: POSTPONED

CCB HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED, IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN SPRING 2014 - LOOK OUT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (29/11/13)

The Active West Berkshire (AWB) consortium are running An ‘Inspire West Berkshire' celebration networking and information event on Wednesday 04 December 2013 at Park House School, Newbury between 1830-2030.

The AWB consortium has been in existence for several months and has already made a significant difference in delivering the benefits of sport and physical activity to the community of West Berkshire. Of note AWB have delivered several ‘Inspire Events’ for young people, families and the disabled. These provided new and exciting physical activity and sporting opportunities to help build on the legacy of the London 2012 Games. 

The consortium currently consists of Get Berkshire Active, the West Berkshire School Sports Partnerships, Berkshire Youth, Park House School, Parkwood Community Leisure and West Berkshire Council.  They also have good links with a variety of other organisations in the area including Public Health and local sport & leisure providers and nationally with organisations such as Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and the governing bodies of sport.
 
They wish to make AWB as inclusive and representative as possible and for its aims and objectives to be both transparent and guided by a wider range of partners and key stakeholders in West Berkshire. 

Briefly (but by no means exclusively) the following are some of the benefits of AWB all of which they aim to improve and strengthen with help and support:

•    Improving health outcomes through the delivery of excellent physical activity and sport (healthy communities, workplaces, schools and individuals)

•    Links to improving communities (Safer Communities), with greater community cohesion and reduced anti-social behaviour (via excellent diversionary activities to engage young people)

•    Increasing and maximising the links with sport and education and the transition to sport and physical activity beyond formal education

•    Helping employers to understand the cost benefit of creating healthy workplaces and ‘fit for work, fit for life’ employees (improving productivity, reducing sickness and absenteeism and generating loyalty)

The evening will consist of a number of speakers/short presentations, an excellent opportunity to network and refreshments will be provided. The speakers will be confirmed shortly.

The event is primarily for anyone associated with economic development, workplace health, activities for young people, community cohesion, delivery of sport and physical activity, parish planning relating to physical activity and health and wellbeing in older people. However, anyone with an interest in the development of sport and physical activity across the district is very welcome to attend.

Please let them know of your intention to attend by emailing Ciaran.crean@getberkshireactive.org who will confirm your attendance and provide an agenda and attendance list nearer to the time.

Should you have any questions about the event or whether you should attend, please do not hesitate to contact Jackie Gray at West Berkshire Council, as a representative of the Active West Berkshire group (JGray@westberks.gov.uk, Tel 01635 519563)

Report finds collective switching save energy consumers money

Collective switching schemes in which households club together to switch energy supplier helped over 21,000 save an average £131 on their energy bills, a report has found. 

The report, ‘Helping Consumers Switch: Collective Switching and Beyond’, looked at 27 collective switching schemes across the country and found that participating households saved a total of £2.7million, an average of £131 per household. One scheme in Nottingham saved an average of £200 per household.
 
Read the report at GOV.UK

Neighbourhood Planning Referendum votes yes by massive majority

The Cheshire village community of Tattenhall has voted yes in support of its proposed Neighbourhood Plan. This is England’s fourth Neighbourhood Plan following Upper Eden, Exeter, St Davids and Thame, and took two years to prepare. 

The referendum went through by 905 votes to 38 based on a 52% turnout. But backing, Cheshire West and Chester Council cannot formally ‘make’ the plan until after the High Court has finally determined judicial review proceedings. Barratt Homes and Wainhomes are claiming that the plan is flawed on technical grounds and questioning the impartiality of its Independent Examiner.

Read details including the prospective plan at Cheshire West and Chester Council website

Last chance for CCB Oil Club Members to buy OIL before CHRISTMAS

CCB's Oil Club Member's that placed their orders last month for oil (October) and filled up their tanks for the Festie period benefited from one of the best prices all year.

Chris Pomfret, from Community Buying unLtd, who act as the negotiators for many of the Rural Community Councils (RCC's) oil clubs said:  "October was the month of Energy misery for millions. The subject of energy has rarely ever been such a huge story. We have been bombarded, sometimes more often than daily, with stories about the price increases, the appalling historical behaviours of the Big Six, the vast fat cat salaries and the huge profits. Those on dual fuels electricity and mains gas have really had nothing but a huge wake up call."

"There have also been many headlines about the terrible implications this has for millions of people in Fuel Poverty. Nothing but bad news. However, the OIL 'gods' have conspired to create a market where we bought  heating OIL at some of the lowest prices of the year and, given all that bad news from the Big Six, it is great to see how well this reflects on the whole heating OIL supply industry and what a pleasure it is to be able to write positively about heating OIL suppliers."

Last month's price was £0.538 pence per litre (+ 5% VAT). The CCB Oil Club does not place orders during December because prices are always high and oil suppliers are often unwilling to negotiate due to an influx of urgent orders. Therefore our last order deadline of 2013 is 12pm on Thursday 21st November.

If you do heat your home with oil and have yet to take up the opportunity to save money that the CCB oil club can give you please click here for more information about the club:  http://www.ccberks.org.uk/oilbuying-collective/4575210387. Member's prices will be rising to incorporate VAT in 2014 so do not delay, join today!

Could your community, group or charitable organisation do with some extra funding post Christmas. . .?

Could your community, group or charitable organisation do with some extra funding post Christmas. . .?

If the your answer to the above is "yes please!" then why not consider applying to the Big Lottery's Awards for All funding programme. Awards for All is a small grants funding programme which awards between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations.

To improve your chances of successfully obtaining some funding for your project CCB and the Big Lottery are running FREE webinars on the Awards for All programme. 
These sessions are run online which means that you are able to access them from the comfort of your own home or office. Webinars are supported by the Adult Community Learning team at West Berkshire Council.

By taking part in the webinar you will:

• Have a better understanding of the Awards for All fund and the current funding environment.
• Have an increased understanding of the Awads for All programme and how to strengthen your application.
• Have increased confidence to apply to Awards for All.

Feedback from participants that have already attended one of these webinars includes:

"As a very new volunteer to fundraising, I found everything very useful." 

"Being interactive and visual was very worthwhile and thank you for the in depth information on what works within an application, very useful in deed!"

"Saving the expense of travel and time I found it very easy to access, and very clear delivery by the Big Lottery. Very well organised hosting by Gemma at CCB. Was useful to have the reminder with 'how-to' documents and instructions."

"The detailed explanation of the meaning and relevance of the Outcomes section and the importance to our application was excellent. The immediate reply to my questions was very helpful also. In fact every part of the webinar was so useful and very well explained. I felt that Pat Cook from the Big Lottery understands the pressures on small charities regarding applying for funding from large national organisations."

For dates and a link to the booking form please click here.

VACANCY: Local Development Officer, part-time

Local Development Officer [part-time]  needed for educational charity

Explore is a registered charity that works in schools and youth establishments, enabling young people to appreciate the life skills that produce healthy and enduring relationships, families and marriages.   Berkshire Explore is looking for a confident, friendly individual with good administrative and communication skills to fill the role of part-time Local Development Officer.  

Further information on Explore is available on: www.theexploreexperience.co.uk

For details of the role contact Martin Westacott:          mkwestacott@swanlake.eclipse.co.uk                                                                                        
Closing date for applications:  16 November 2013

Are you getting the Best Deal on your Energy?

Helen Dean, CCB's Energy Advice Worker, is currently undertaking talks to local groups in Berkshire on how to get the best deal on your home energy costs by switching supplier, with advice on the benefits that are available, and tips to reduce energy costs at home. The presentation ‘Energy Best Deal’ is written by Citizens Advice and Ofgem. If you would be interested in a session for your community or group, please get in touch on 0118961200.

Sarah Harrison, Senior Partner - Sustainable Development, said:

“At a time when prices are rising and the weather is starting to turn colder, it’s important that consumers don’t pay more than they need to for their energy. That’s where the Energy Best Deal programme can provide essential advice to customers. As well as supporting Energy Best Deal, Ofgem’s radical reforms to reset the energy market and make it simpler, clearer and fairer for consumers are coming into effect right now and these will include making suppliers tell customers what their cheapest tariff is. Both the reforms and the Energy Best Deal initiative are important steps in giving customers the tools they need to get the most out of the energy market.”

Loneliness Resource Pack - Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has just published a set of resources to help
individuals, groups, communities and neighbourhoods take a closer look at and to reduceloneliness. JRF’s approaches to loneliness has been a three year action research programme exploring and identifying what makes us feel lonely where we live and work and what we can all do about it – personally and professionally.
 
It includes a can do guidance and tips section. Read more on JRF’s website.

VACANCY: Office Manager, Part-Time

Vacancy for an Office Manager, Part Time

Where: Skotkonung Ltd is a specialised software development company that is particularly focused on the needs of those operating in the international development community.

Hours: 4 - 8 hours per week which could be worked over one full day or two half days. There is also the potential to extend to 4 days a week from March 2014

Location: Theale, Reading,  RG7 4AB

Salary: £20,000 per annum pro rata based on a 37.5 hr working week. The package includes 20 days annual leave pro rata plus Bank Holidays.

Job Purpose: The successful applicant will have overall responsibility for the smooth day to day running of our office in Theale.  This is a varied role ranging from regular book keeping using a desktop accounting package, maintaining up to date HR information, to proof reading website content and e-bulletins and other ad hoc administrative tasks.
Closing date for applications:  Monday 25th November 2013.
(Please note: We do not accept or respond to unsolicited offers from recruitment or advertising agencies.)

Office Management
·           Maintaining accurate and up to date financial information using a desktop accounting package (Cashflow)
·           Maintaining internal financial records; managing staff expenses and expense claims
·           Creating and filing VAT returns to HMRC
·           Keeping track of customer invoices both outgoing and incoming
·           Maintaining a comprehensive electronic filing system as well as hard copies of relevant administration files
·           Responsible for maintaining up to date HR information; recording staff holidays, maintaining confidential staff files, providing administrative support for any recruitment.
·           Proof reading of e-bulletins and company website information.
·           Ad-hoc administrative responsibilities; organising meetings and greeting visitors, handling incoming and outgoing post, answering the telephone and handling customer queries.


Person Specification

Essential:
·           Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
·           Tact and discretion in the handling of confidential company information
·           You must be a self-starter, self-disciplined and able to prioritise
·           You must be happy to manage your own time as part of an expanding team
·           Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humour
·           Good working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of products, with training provided for the accounting package

Desirable:
·           Flexibility in respective of working hours would be an advantage
·           An interest in IT/Software development would be advantageous
·           Experience of or an interest in international development or humanitarian aid

Application: To apply, please email your CV with a covering letter stating how you fulfil the person specification to recruitment@skotkonung.com . CVs submitted without a covering letter detailing how the applicant meets the person specification will be rejected unread.

Further information about Skotkonung can be found on their website http://www.skotkonung.com/

CCB - RBWM Evidencing your Neighbourhood Plan Event: Delivers valuable information to Borough Neighbourhood Plan Groups

Last Thursday evening, 7th November, members of the RBWM Neighbourhood Planning Groups had the benefit of a free training session put on by  CCB.

The event was open to all members of the RBWM Neighbourhood plan groups to explore the types of evidence they will need to ensure their neighbourhood plans are robust planning documents once adopted.

The event was well attended by members of most tof the Boroughs designated neighbourhood planning groups, with the exception of Ascot & the Sunnings who have already completed their draft plan.

Organised by Arlene Kersley, CCB’s Rural Housing Enabler, the event included an informational presentation by Mick Duggan of the Department for Communities and Local Government who set the national context for neighbourhood plannig.  This was followed by Jeremy Edge of Edge Planning who is an independent examiner of Neighbourhood Plans, Jeremy explained the basic conditions that the examiner is looking for in every plan. 

Miles Thompson, who recently joined RBWM as Planning Policy Manager followed with the types of evidence and support that the groups can expect to obtain from the Borough.  Miles valued the opportunity to meet members of all of the groups. 

The final presentation was given  by Arlene Kersley who spoke passionately about the housing issues faced by the groups and what housing evidence should be looked at in more detail.

The evening closed with a question and answer session.

Delegates said they found the evening very informative, if a little bit daunting, Arlene Kersley pointed out:

“None of us are experts in neighbourhood planning, it is new to us all, so we are all learning together, but  we have a real opportunity to develop a real vision for our communities”

It is hoped that similar events will be arranged in the future.

VACANCY: Supported Volunteering Project Worker

VACANCY: Supported Volunteering Project Worker

18.5 hours/week, £11,479 - fixed term contract until 31/3/15 (possible extension subject to funding)
Closing date: 18th November 2013
Interview date: 28th November 2013

Could you help people with learning/physical disabilities or mental health issues to volunteer in their local community?  Wokingham Volunteer Centre need someone with excellent communication skills and experience of supporting people with extra needs to join their team.

For an application pack, please contact Wokingham Volunteer Centre
Phone: 0118 977 0749. Email: wok-vol@btconnect.com
www.volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 275933

National Trustees Week 4-10 November

This year’s national Trustees’ Week runs 4-10 November 2013. In its fourth year, the campaign is led by the Charity Commission and a host of sector partners including NCVO, the Small Charities Coalition, ICAEW, the Honorary Treasurers Forum and supported by Community Matters.

Trustees’ Week aims to raise awareness of the vital work trustees do, and to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.

With Charity Commission research estimating a third of charities across England and Wales have a vacancy on their board, the campaign aims to highlight the wealth of opportunities for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, and to provide resources and information for charities, trustees and potential trustees.

Check out www.trusteesweek.org.uk and follow @trusteesweek for more information, and to find Trustees’ Week events near you.

VACANCY: For work in Bracknell/Wokingham

Just Advocacy

Giving people a voice

Advocate/person centred planner – Full time/Part Time – 37 hrs per week. Salary:  £20,000-23,708

Do you have the skills to support people who may be vulnerable or marginalised to have their voices heard and their rights respected;  knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act; a non-judgmental and inclusive approach;  the ability to carry a busy and varied caseload ?

Just Advocacy have a vacancy within our dedicated professional team for an Advocate to work in Wokingham and Bracknell.

Please contact Jennifer Kelsey if you wish  to receive an application form and job description or to discuss the post:   staff@justadvocacy.org.uk   01276 28515  

Dolphin House, 103 Frimley Road, Camberley GU15 2PP

Closing date for applications  15^th November 2013

www.justadvocacy.org.uk        

Reg. Charity 1124451   Registered in England 6368549

Government makes its Annual Energy Statement

Published on 31 October, the Annual Energy Statement 2013 sets out the government’s priorities in delivering the UK’s energy policies in the near term. It includes details on how Government will help households and businesses take control of their energy bills and keep their costs down and unlocking investment in the UK’s infrastructure that will support economic growth.

The Energy Bill is proceeding through Parliament currently and will establish a legislative framework for delivering secure, affordable and low carbon energy.

Find much fuller details at GOV.UK

West Berkshire Carers Rights Day

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue - Strike Action Announced

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced that further strike action will take place on two separate occasions either side of  this coming weekend. 

Friday 1 November             from               18:30 to 23:00 

During this time it may mean that you are more likely to be at home, either entertaining or visiting friends on the Friday night, enjoying Bonfire Night or other celebrations with candles and fireworks.

Monday 4 November         from               06:00 to 08:00

On the Monday morning you may be busy preparing breakfast for the family and/or travelling to work.

Whatever you are doing during these times we would like to remind you to Take Extra Care.

Although RBFRS has contingency plans in place, during any period of industrial action they will have significantly fewer resources. They will therefore be prioritising ‘life critical’ incidents, such as house fires and road traffic collisions where people are trapped.

RBFRS will still be responding to 999 calls but they are asking members of the public to take extra care to reduce the risk of fire and road traffic collisions. 

Berkshire conservation volunteers win Volunteer Group of the Year award from Wildlife Trust

The Mid-Week Team of dedicated nature conservationists is the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer Group of the Year.

Liz Fricker, assistant reserves officer for Berkshire, paid tribute to the Mid-Week Team of 26 volunteers. “The only way we’re able to manage our nature reserves is with the help of this fantastic group of people. Their dedication, enthusiasm and reliability help to safeguard wildlife right across the county. They’re out every Thursday whatever the weather; some of them treat it as a physical workout, while others use the opportunity to improve their wildlife surveying skills.”

They have transformed notable sites such as Kintbury Newt Ponds in west Berkshire, where they cleared scrub, cut back a thick hedge and removed vegetation that was growing over the ponds.

At Wildmoor Heath and Broadmoor Bottom near Crowthorne, they have cut back heather and birches, which means that the silver-studded blue butterfly, a Biodiversity Action Plan species, is now breeding in growing numbers. The team also works in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council and the Forestry Commission to lay boardwalks at Wildmoor Heath so that more people can enjoy getting close to wildlife in these sensitive heathland habitats.

At Woolley Firs, the Wildlife Trust’s Berkshire office and environmental education centre near Maidenhead, the team created a story-telling area among the trees, where visiting schoolchildren now learn about nature through play activities.

Many of the team are wildlife experts too, and pass on their knowledge and expertise to the Trust’s staff and trainees, mentoring them on practical tasks.

Rural homes inflation slows but remains most expensive

Those living in rural areas can normally expect to pay more than their urban counterparts - even though rural house prices have risen more slowly than those in urban areas since 2009. 

The premium ranges from £86,218 in the South East to £11,570 in the North East, according to the latest Halifax figures. In percentage terms, the premium varies from 59% in the West Midlands to 9% in the North East.

In the past four years, the average price of a home in the countryside has risen by 2% compared with an average 10% increase in urban areas.

Read details on the Rural Services Network website