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New online directory for families, parents and carers

 

 

New online directory for families, parents and carers
A new Live Well B&NES website has been launched to provide information, support and signposting for parents, families and carers in Bath and North East Somerset.

The new web-based resource brings together information previously held on three separate websites and allows people to search for services, organisations, groups and activities in key areas of need:

  • Family Information – including types of childcare, holiday clubs etc.
  • Supporting Adults to Live Independent Lives – including care and wellbeing information and support to be independent.
  • Supporting Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with SEND – Rainbow Resource.

Cllr Alison Born, cabinet member for Adults and Council House Building said: “This website offers a wealth of information for anyone needing support services or organisations, looking for activities or events, or who is simply trying to find the most up-to-date information on a range of issues.

“I am sure it will become an invaluable resource and I would encourage any organisations, groups or event organisers who have not yet registered, to do so. That will ensure the B&NES community can engage with your service.”

Organisations, groups, or events that support, provide services, or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support are encouraged to register and be included in the relevant area of the website.

The short online registration form takes less than five minutes to complete and once a listing has been moderated, it will appear in the directory within three days.

You can register here: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/register-your-organisation-us

The website will be continually updated and the lists of organisations reviewed to ensure Live Well B&NEs contains the most up-to-date, relevant information.

You can access Live Well B&NES here: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, you can contact the Live Well B&NES team online here: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/contact

 
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Whitchurch History Society update

The Society has decided to make a start on a new series of live talks in the coming months. All will of course be accompanied by whatever ‘Covid-secure’ arrangements will be required on any particular date at our venue in the United Reformed Church in the Village.

At time of writing this piece it seems that we will be easily able to accommodate our normal level of attendance.

Our first talk will be given on Friday September 24th, at 7.30 p.m., by our very own Mike Hooper on the topic of Bristol in the 1930s and 1940s and speakers have been booked for October 29th and November 26th – more details later.

The reprints of the earlier volumes of ‘Memories’ are still on sale at £5.00 each, locally in Whitchurch at The Music Box Shop / Village Shop on the main road through the village (cash please), or by contacting the Secretary (details below). We will be happy to receive further contributions for the planned next volume as soon as ‘those of you out there’ have written them, with old photos particularly welcome to augment the text.

For more information about the Society and its activities, please contact the Secretary, Geoff Gardiner, on 01275 830869 or at geoff@thegardiners.org.uk

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Community Contribution Fund set to open for applications

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Community Contribution Fund set to open for applications
Charities, community and voluntary groups will soon be able to apply for grants from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s pilot Community Contribution Fund.

The fund, which was launched earlier this year, enables residents to contribute to projects which help reduce inequalities across the district.  So far, more than 340 people have generously donated, raising almost £25,000.

Applications for grants of between £500 and £2,000 will open next month and be assessed by a panel of elected councillors.

Councillor Richard Samuel, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development, said: “We’ve had a great response and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund so far. Our charities, community and voluntary groups carry out vital work and this money will really help to support the most disadvantaged and improve their lives. Applications will be considered very carefully and we’ll be giving priority to projects that benefit the whole B&NES area.”

Although the B&NES Community Contribution Fund is administered by Bath & North East Somerset Council, it is not used to supplement council services. Every penny contributed goes to fund local projects.

Residents are still able to make contributions to the fund and it is easy to donate online.  The minimum contribution is £5, however there is no maximum contribution and it is possible to donate more than once.

Following this year’s pilot, the council will consult with residents and organisations on whether the scheme should continue.

Residents can keep up-to-date with latest news on the fund by subscribing to the council’s special e-newsletter here.

To find out more and make a contribution visit the Community Contribution Fund webpage.
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Bereavement Peer Support Group

Peer Support Group ‘STAR’ provides free support for people grieving from a bereavement or difficult transition in their life.  The aim of the support group is to create a safe space for people to receive support, listen to and share stories & experiences with others who have experienced loss in their life.

For more details please click here

 

 

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Refurbished Play Park

The refurbished play park in Norton Lane has now been open for a few weeks and is proving very popular.
The park is designated for local residents and there is time limited parking on the road outside the play park.
Cycle racks have been provided and we would request visitors to walk or cycle to the park if possible.
Should you need to drive please park safely, sensibly and think of others .
If the park is busy consider alternatives like visiting at another time.
Please respect Covid restrictions of Hands, Face, Space
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Support for Children , young people and their families across Bath and North East Somerset

Children, young people and their families across Bath and North East Somerset who are struggling with the ongoing pressures of lockdown are being reassured support is available.

Information on services for CSC 2021

With many families cut off from their usual support systems such as family, friends and teachers, Bath & North East Somerset Council is urging those who are struggling to reach out and ask for help.

The BANES council is also reminding residents that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep children safe, spot the signs of abuse and report concerns.

You can contact Children’s Social Care on 01225 396111 or 01225 477929 or via email: Childcare_duty@bathnes.gov.uk.

A member of the council’s Children’s Social Care team will discuss your concerns and the range of help that may be available. The service is available between 08:30 and 17:00 (Mon-Thur) and 08:30 and 16:30 (Fri).

If you have concerns outside of working hours you can contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615165, on evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

If you are feeling vulnerable, isolated, or concerned about your physical or mental wellbeing the Community Wellbeing Hub can help.

You can call the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday email: BATHNES.thehub@virgincare.co.uk or go to the website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk ​ or text 07870 868368.

If you are struggling with your mental health talking to someone is vital. Bath Mind’s Breathing Space, is a phone support service, open every evening of the week from 5.30pm to 11.30pm.  You can call in confidence on 01225 983130 if you are feeling worried or anxious and want to talk.

The Bath and North East Somerset Talking Therapies Service, run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust also offers online courses and telephone and video based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to support adults who maybe struggling with their mental health

The Bright Start Children Centre Services and the Connecting Families Team are also operational, supporting work with children and families. However, I wanted to mention our mediation service is currently open for referrals and is operating at full capacity – sessions take place either via zoom, phone, emails or doorstep/garden visits. For more information you can contact Christopher_Martin@bathnes.gov.uk or
Tel. 07980 998982.

You can access the service by self-referring and don’t need to speak to your GP to do this.  To find out more visit: https://iapt-banes.awp.nhs.uk

If you are worried about child’s mental health, you can find helpful information about how to spot the signs that someone is struggling and how to access help at: https://bit.ly/2L3Dece

 

 

 

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Census 2021 will provide a snapshot of modern society

Households across Whitchurch Village will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.

“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”

Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.

The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

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Support for residents struggling with their mental health

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Support for residents struggling with their mental health
Residents across Bath and North East Somerset struggling with their mental health are being urged to seek support.

Current research shows that one in four people experience mental health issues each year, and at any one time, one in six working adults are experiencing depression, anxiety, or problems relating to stress.

With the added pressures of lockdown and coronavirus restrictions the Community Wellbeing Hub has seen an increase in the number of calls from residents who are struggling with the pressures of money worries, caring for others, and increased feelings of loneliness and isolation due to social distancing and prolonged working from home.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “Now, more than ever, is a time to ensure we maintain a positive and supportive culture where people feel able to talk about their mental health and their experiences.  One of our key partners at the Community Wellbeing Hub is the mental health service Bath Mind, who can not only offer support but also signpost callers to support services in their own community.”

Research shows that men find it particularly difficult to talk about their mental health struggles, which is why this month, Men’s Health Awareness month, Bath Mind is particularly encouraging men to reach out for support.

Kate Morton, Chief Executive Officer of Bath Mind, said: “This is a very challenging and uncertain time for many of us, and although we are, on the whole, pretty resilient, we are in unprecedented times.  It is important not to underestimate the impact the pandemic is having on our mental health and wellbeing and it is really important we look after ourselves.

“Never feel ashamed about how you are feeling.  Talking to someone is a vital first step. Bath Mind’s Breathing Space, is a phone support service, open every evening of the week from 5.30pm to 11.30pm.  You can call in confidence on 01225 983130 if you are feeling worried or anxious and want to talk.”

For more information on Bath Mind’s Men’s Health Awareness month campaign visit: www.bathmind.org.uk/news/mens-mental-health-awareness-month-at-bath-mind/

Jo Scammell from Virgin Care BANES said: “The Community Wellbeing Hub can offer a little extra help to people when they need it most.  We have an excellent team of colleagues at Bath Mind who have been helping residents since March and this has often been a lifeline to so many.  The additional evening service they offer is extremely important particularly during the winter months.”

To contact the Community Wellbeing Hub:

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Get ready for Bath’s Clean Air Zone

Bath’s clean air zone is set to launch on Monday 15 March 2021 to urgently improve air quality in the city. It means that most higher emission vehicles – except private cars and motorbikes – will be charged to drive in the city centre.

A higher emission vehicle is a Pre Euro 6/VI diesel vehicle (Euro 1 to 5/V or earlier) or Pre Euro 4 petrol vehicle (Euro 1 to 3 or earlier).

You can now check whether your vehicle will be charged using your vehicle registration number at GOV.UK’s Central Clean Air Zone Service: www.gov.uk/cleanairzone.

If charges apply, please refer to Bath & North East Somerset’s website for a list of local exemptions and whether you might be eligible for financial support to upgrade or replace a non-compliant vehicle or fleet of vehicles.

While private cars are not charged in Bath’s zone, the Council is asking everyone to consider whether they need to use their vehicle, especially for short trips where walking, cycling or taking public transport is possible. We all have a part to play in improving air quality.

 

To find out more, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ

 

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Whitchurch Village Playpark, Norton Lane, Refurbishment News!!

Following on from the consultation events held during 2019 with residents, parents and children at a Have a Field fun day, Whitchurch Primary School & St Nicholas Pre-school, we are delighted to announce that work will commence on Monday 19th October, this will include new play equipment with accessible aspects, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a table tennis table.

View of an artist impression of the new play park

Funding for this project has been provided through Section 106 funds from developers, held by Bath & North East Somerset Council and required to be spent on play provision within Whitchurch Village.

The play area will be closed from 19th October 2020 for approximately six weeks, we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.