Healthwatch West Berkshire launch in Boots pharmacies this week

Healthwatch West Berkshire has been out in the community gathering views on health and social care services over the summer.  They’ve enjoyed meeting people ‘on-the-road’ in West Berkshire and are now launching a service in Boots Pharmacies. Whether you are collecting a prescription or grabbing a sandwich, come and have a chat with them about your experiences of local Health and Social Care services.

Healthwatch West Berkshire is the new consumer champion for residents of West Berkshire who use Health and Social Care Services.  Connecting with people through community groups and pharmacies and talking to everyone at a local level is important. They want to hear your experiences, gain your views and feedback to help us shape future Health and Social Care services in West Berkshire.  

Dates for launch in Newbury Boots Store and Monthly ‘Healthwatch West Berkshire Station’:

Launch date – Friday 27th September 10:30 – 1:30

Monthly station – Thursday 24th October, 10:30 – 1:30

Monthly station – Thursday 21st November, 10:30 – 1:30

Monthly station – Tuesday 17th December, 10:30 – 1:30

  "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to set up a monthly station in the heart of the community.  We hope to engage with everyone in the community on their terms and want to make the service as accessible as possible for everyone in the community to use.  As far as we are concerned, every voice will count.  Come and talk to us.  What you tell us will make a difference." Lead officer, Healthwatch West Berkshire

New Berkshire Care Services Directory

 

A new Care Services Directory has just been launched in Berkshire.

The directory provides comprehensive information and advice on choosing and paying for care and support in the Berkshire region. If you follow the link below you can view the website and an electronic version of the publication;
www.carechoices.co.uk/region/Berkshire

The Directory is completely free of charge and offers vital information for those who find themselves looking for care services.  

News from the Hungerford Environmental Action Team

News from the Hungerford Environmental Action Team

Hungerford Food Festival, 11:00-3.30pm, Sunday 29th September, Town Hall & High Street 
Preparations are well underway and the event is set to be another great day out with an array of food to tickle your tastebuds. Entry £1 adults (children free).
Cookery Competition for all ages and style of cook from flour & egg to alcoholic beverages.  

Raffle tickets available from Caviste, Cobbs & Tutti Pole, outside Tesco this weekend and on the day.

Lift sharing - car parks will be busy in Hungerford so how about lift sharing to the event to save money on fuel and meet new friends.

Sponsors - thank you to Dove’s Farm, Old English Inns and Cobbs for sponsoring our food festival. Without them we wouldn’t be able to put on such a fantastic event.


Hungerford Apple Collecting Day, Sunday 6th October

Meet 10am Hungerford Town Hall for a walk to local orchards to pick, juice and enjoy apples.
Hungerford Apple Harvest
Community groups in the Hungerford area are invited to participate in this year's Hungerford Harvest, by collecting local apples and pears. These will be turned into Hungerford branded apple juice by Richard Paget, from My Apple Juice, in Little Bedwyn. Groups that help collect apples will be able to make a few pounds from selling the juice. If you are interested or you have surplus apples yourself please contact Helen at HEAT (mailto:heat_hungerford@yahoo.co.uk).

After-school activities on offer to Reading youngsters

Youngsters from across Reading are being given the chance to get fit and healthy and become involved in some after-school fun at free activity sessions which kicked-off in their local community last week.

Delivered by Sanctuary Housing in partnership with Urban Play Rangers, a community organisation that encourages children to be more physically active and take advantage of local open spaces, the Reading sessions are open to all young people, male or female, aged from 5-13 years from across the area.

The exciting free sessions – which include archery, arts and crafts, a climbing wall and inflatable games – take place every Thursday outside Alan Place from 3.30 - 5pm.

The programme will give young people the opportunity to improve physical health and wellbeing, increase their confidence and self esteem, and allow them to interact and engage with other members of the local community in a positive way.

The sessions in Reading form part of the national Sanctuary in Sport project which is delivering a range of activities to youngsters across the country and designed to encourage health and wellbeing and help keep communities active.

Kelvin Husbands, play ranger from Urban Play Rangers, commented: “Since we were set up in 2008, we have been able to engage with over 16,000 people from across the town.

“It’s thanks to the funding from Sanctuary Housing that we are now able to extend the sessions from the summer holidays into the autumn, and I’m sure we will be able to reach even more local young people.”

Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service was created to recognise the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers. It has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals. Now is the last chance to nominate your local voluntary groups for the 2014 awards, the closing date is 30 September.

Free Event for RBWM Neighbourhood Plan Groups - 'Evidencing your Neighbourhood Plan'

Free Event for Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Neighbourhood Plan Groups: 'Evidencing your Neighbourhood Plan'

CCB (the Community Council for Berkshire) is organising a free event for community activists in RBWM who are engaged in Neighbourhood Planning.

The Windsor & Maidenhead Neighbourhood Plan Groups are starting to make real progress towards development of their plan policies.  The Ascot & the Sunnings plan is nearly ready for submission for examination and nationally more and more Neighbourhood Plans are passing this important stage.  Nationally there are now 3 Neighbourhood Plans that have been made:
•    Upper Eden in Cumbria
•    Thame in Oxfordshire
•    Exeter St James in Exeter

Many more have now been submitted for examination.

It has been a sharp learning curve for all of the community volunteers who have given their time towards developing these plans.  As each new plan comes forward we are able to learn from their experiences.

Now is the time for RBWM groups to examine the evidence that will support their own Neighbourhood Plan policies.  Without sound evidence a plan is unlikely to stand up to scrutiny and may be challenged in the future.

On Thursday the 7th of November, CCB , in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead will run an evening event to help groups identify: what evidence is available to them, how to interpret it, and where professional advice may be required.  The event will be held at Maidenhead Town Hall from 6.30pm.

Places are limited.  If you are interested in attending this event contact Arlene Kersley at CCB on 0118 961 2000 or by email:  arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk.

Alternatively you can register your place on line by completeing the form at: 
https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/event-booking-evidence-for-neighbourhood-plans/

Community Led Project Support Funding

The National Community Land Trust Network, currently based within the National Housing Federation in London, has issued some exciting news about a number of different opportunities for community groups interested in developing their own projects.

The most recent newsletter can be viewed at :  http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news

Of  particular interest in this newsletter is the release of £17m of funding for Community Led Project Support Funding, which now includes a wide range of possible projects, not just Community Right to Build.  For further information see the link below:

http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-list/Seedcorn_funding_news

The National CLT Network has also announced that is rolling out a series of free Community Led Housing events across the regions, including one in London on the 29^th of November.  The Rural Housing Enabler at CCB will certainly plan to attend and will share any information with interested Berkshire community groups.  See link below for further information, or if you want to register your place:

http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/Events_list/getting-it-built

If your group has a dedicated interest in developing a community led project, please let Arlene Kersley at CCB know and she may be able to help.  Call Arlene on 0118 961 2000 or email: Arlene.Kersley@ccberks.org.uk

Squash & Pumpkin Festival

The first Squash & Pumpkin Festival at Hardwick is a community Local Food and Craft event, organised by Tolhurst Organic, on Sunday 27 October, from 11 am to 5pm.

Says Iain Tolhurst, organic grower “The first edition of the Squash & Pumpkin Festival at Hardwick will be a community effort with social aims in the local area. The festival will celebrate the harvest and splendour of the season, with an exhibition of large pumpkins and most beautiful squash, nature-inspired crafts, live music, autumn dress code, competitions, games, sculptures, food tastings and home-made food and beverages. Free admission for walkers and cyclists.”

Tamara Schiopu, Festival Director shares her views on ethics and quality “Only items and food stuffs of the highest quality will be accepted for display and vending. Organic and local food & drink products will be offered priority. Healthy food – home-made food, traditional and local, following the food safety principles, avoiding products with a high content of sugars, salt, hydrogenated fats. Healthy lifestyle – walkers and cyclists will have free entry”.

Children will be invited to exhibit their drawings and carved pumpkins. Local businesses will be supported, by offering vending space, and local community groups can raise funds for their causes.

They aim at “zero-waste” targets, by recycling and reusing all unused items.

There will be five Festival Areas: gastronomy, farmers’ market, crafts and arts, entertainment and interactive workshops.

With a successful first-time (pilot) festival, Tolhurst Organic hope to establish the event as an annual tradition at the farm.

The Festival  is made possible with the kind support from Vegan Organic Network www.veganorganic.net and a small grant from the Chilterns AONB Conservation Board www.chilternsaonb.org

Details can be found at www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk/events

100 Pubs in England Protected

100 pubs in England have now been given Assets of Community Value (ACV) status with their local councils, which means the pub can not be sold on without the local community being told. It grants councils greater powers to refuse planning applications from developers and gives the community up to six months to put in a bid to buy the pub should it be put up for sale.

There are three pubs in Berkshire so far that have successfully applied for this status:

• Tally Ho in Hungerford Newtown
• The Retreat in Reading
• The Golden Harp, Maidenhead 

To view an interactive map of the pubs from the Guardian website please click here.
To read more about Assets of Community Value please click here.

Heating oil customers urged to buy early

 

Heating oil users are being urged to save money by stocking up early before winter in a new campaign backed by CCB.

The Buy Oil Early Campaign has been launched by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), Citizens Advice and FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers), with the support of Energy Minister Michael Fallon.

CCB, a member of the national ACRE Network of rural community councils, says stocking up early has a range of benefits. Prices and demand tend to be lower in September and delivery is not disrupted by increased demand and icy weather.

Chief Operating Officer, Tim Parry said: “Research shows 36% of homes in rural areas are off the gas grid, so many households rely on heating oil. In times of high demand, such as the cold snap of 2012/13, prices can increase rapidly, leaving the most vulnerable unable to afford to adequately heat their homes.

“We are urging households to buy their oil now so that they are prepared when the colder weather arrives and the time comes to switch on the heating.

“One of the best ways to save money is to set up or join an oil buying group which can buy in bulk and negotiate the best price. More than 20 members of the ACRE Network have set up oil-buying groups. Last year, they bought more than seven million litres of oil between them, saving £385,000 on behalf of rural customers.””

CCB runs an oil-buying scheme which buys more than £305,000 litres of oil per year on behalf of over 200 members. If you would like to read more about how our oil club works please click here.

Gemma Pearce, CCB Oil Club Co-ordinator explained: “The CCB Oil Club takes on the organisation of bulk buying fuel oil and the negotiation of the best price, reducing the cost for members and the time spent on sourcing oil themselves.  The club uses the collective purchasing power of its members to get even better deals from oil distribution companies –on average we are able to save our members around 4 pence a litre against the average cost of oil.”

”As a trusted and well established rural community council, CCB is well positioned to offer real, tangible benefits through the Oil Club, to residents who are ‘off the mains grid’ in Berkshire. Our next order deadline is the 3rd October and we are encouraging as many members as possible to place their orders now so they do not get caught out by inflated winter oil prices” 

Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: “I welcome the launch of this campaign. The message is simple: stock up on heating oil before the winter leaves you out in the cold.

“Previous severe winters show it’s better to order early when suppliers have spare delivery capacity.

“Delaying risks longer delivery times especially if cold weather increases demand and disrupts deliveries, particularly in remote and rural parts of the country. 

“Consumers may also want to consider establishing or joining a community buying group".

“The new Code of Practice and Customer Charter by FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers) is a welcome commitment from the industry to engage with consumers on a fair and consistent basis and implement best practice to raise standards. 

 “I would also encourage households to save money on heating by using the Government’s Green Deal, which offers a way to pay for energy efficiency measures such as condensing oil boilers and insulation through savings on their energy bills. Customers on a low income or in a hard-to-insulate property may be able get additional support through the Energy Company Obligation.”

Important Message from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

 

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is currently in dispute with the Government over changes to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme and conditions of service, and it is possible that this may result in industrial action.

Although Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has contingency plans in place, during any period of industrial action and 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.

In the event of any period of industrial action, RBFRS will still be responding to 999 calls but we are asking people to reduce demand by calling us only in a genuine emergency. They also need the community to take extra care to reduce the risk of fire.

Please visit their website:http://www.rbfrs.co.uk/ for Top Tips and how to take extra care in the home and whilst in your vehicle.

A call for Berkshire's families to 'walk all over poverty'

Leading humanitarian charity CARE International is calling on Berkshire families to ‘walk all over poverty’ in solidarity with the people of Syria, in a river-side walk on Sunday 20 October.

By walking a 10 km or 24 km stretch along the Thames, ‘Walk All Over Poverty’ participants will support the work of CARE, fighting poverty in the developing world and relieving suffering in humanitarian emergencies. The charity has been supporting Syrian refugees since the start of the conflict in the region.

Starting in Alexandra Gardens at 9.30am, the walk will take in the Thames Path and Jubilee Path on the 10km route. Those wishing to complete the 24km challenge will continue on an additional loop along the river and around Great Windsor Park. The choice of route means the event is suitable for most fitness levels.

CARE’s Chief Executive Geoffrey Dennis said “Recently I visited the Syria/Jordan border, I was shocked and saddened by the suffering I saw. ‘Walk All Over Poverty’ is a real chance for families in Berkshire to help CARE’s lifesaving work, which includes responding to the Syria crisis. CARE is providing support to families who have lost their homes, fled for their lives and are traumatised.”

CARE is hoping to raise £25,000 to support the charity’s work in 87 countries. In response to the Syria crisis, CARE has so far reached 110,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon with financial and medical assistance, safe water, shelter, psychosocial support, toilets and sanitation, information services and prevention of violence against women.

Geoffrey Dennis added, “’Walk All Over Poverty’ is a family day out. The route is buggy-friendly and dogs are welcome, offering an enjoyable day for a fantastic cause. It’s also a chance to meet CARE staff and find out more about our work. Registration has just opened so get signed up to secure a place.”

Sign up: www.carechallenge.org.uk/walk 

PRS for Music and PPL are inviting you to take part in a survey

PRS for Music and PPL are membership organisations that help organisations to get
the legal permission they need to play copyright music.

In January 2012, both PRS for Music and PPL introduced joint licensing for community buildings run by voluntary organisations. In response to the feedback received, they have commissioned a survey in order to see if the current tariff is representative of the usage of music within community buildings, and therefore ensure that their tariffs are fair and simple
for licensees

Your responses will be kept completely confidential, and your details will not be passed on to anyone else. The findings of the survey will be used to help PRS for Music and PPL deliver a service that best suits your needs.

If you have more than one community building premise, please choose the one that
you feel best represents the premises you manage. The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Please note the survey closes on 4 October 2013

Click here to take the survey

Volunteering may help you live longer

Volunteering not only enriches the lives of others, it can also improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

Researchers have pooled a data from 40 scientific papers into the long-term effects of charity work, revealing that people who volunteered had their risk of dying reduced by as much as 22%.

The study also showed that people who volunteer benefit from various improvements in mental health. Those who gave up their time to help others were less likely to suffer from depression, plus they had higher levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing. But despite the findings, scientists are still unclear about what lies behind the benefits of volunteering.

‘It is still unclear whether biological and cultural factors and social resources that are often associated with better health and survival are also associated with a willingness to volunteer in the first place,’ said study leader Dr Suzanne Richards, from the University of Exeter.
‘Our systematic review shows that volunteering is associated with improvements in mental health but more work is needed to establish whether volunteering is actually the cause.
‘The challenge now is to encourage people from more diverse backgrounds to take up volunteering, and then to measure whether improvements arise for them.’

Australia appears to be one of the biggest nations for volunteering, with 36% of the adult population doing their bit for charity. In comparison, 22.2% help out in Europe while 27% give up their time in the US. Volunteers typically cite motives, such as ‘giving something back’ to their community or supporting an organisation that has helped them. Other reasons included gaining work experience or finding new friends.

Too much volunteering, however, can become a burden and create other problems for those involved. For instance, the researchers found that if volunteering gives nothing back to the volunteer its positive effect is limited or negated.

Story courtesy of RAISE  E-bulletin

Big Lottery Webinars are BACK!

New dates for CCB webinars on Big Lottery funding streams have just been announced. 

These very popular free, online, interactive workshops are back with new dates taking place this autumn.

For smaller voluntary and community organisations looking for funding up to £10,000 there is the Awards for All funding programme. By taking part in these sessions you will have a better understanding of the Big Lottery Fund and the current funding environment, an increased understanding of the programme and how to strengthen and improve your application and an increased confidence to apply.

We are also running a couple of sessions on the Reaching Communities programme which awards grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to voluntary and community organisations and statutory bodies. Anyone considering applying to this programme is encouraged to take part, by attending you will increase understanding of the requirements of this find and how to improve your chances of success.

Webinars are interactive seminars run over the internet. You will requie access to a PC or laptop with an internet connection, headphone and a microphone (optional). You can access them from your home or office without the expense and time of travelling anywhere!

For further information, dates of the sessions and to book a place please click here. Places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis so don't delay book today.

These sessions are funded by Adult Community Learning Team, West Berkshire Council