Rural Neighbourhood Newsletter June 2015
1. Welcome
Welcome to the Solihull Rural Neighbourhood Area Newsletter for June 2015.
2. General News
Safer Solihull News
The Safer Solihull Partnership has launched an initiative to run over the next three months that will aim to reduce Total Recorded Crime and Anti-Social behaviour during the summer.
As part of the operation staff from Solihull Police, Solihull Council, Solihull Fire Service, the Clinical Commissioning Group and the National Probation Service have been asked to use the hashtag #SoliSummer to promote their activity on social media. The main crime types that impact on Total Recorded Crime figures are Theft from Motor Vehicle and Business Crime, but a number of offenses will be tracked during these months.
There are three activity areas within the operation for Crime: Chelmsley Wood Town Partnership Plus Area , Solihull Town Centre, and Shirley Town.
There are three areas for ASB: Hobs Moat, Smoths Wood Birds and Rivers Estates and the Parks generally, particularly around offroaders.
All partners are being asked to record any operations that they are carrying out, especially good news stories. Look out for news on #SoliSummer.
Solihull Neighbourhoods in Bloom
I hope you have seen images of the fabulous Solihull Neighbourhoods in Bloom garden at the Gardeners World show at the NEC on 11 -14 June. The garden was a massive success and received a Best Show Feature award and a Highly Commended Award. The public loved it and it was heaving with visitors the whole time the show was on. Residents and visitors of all ages enjoyed the creative design and fantastic planting and stopped to tell the staff on the stand ( of which I was one) how much they loved it! All credit to Tracey and Bruce Brant, to Luke, our apprentice and the Rangers for their efforts, but most of all to Sarah Jones who designed the garden and managed the build with support from Tracey and Bruce. I am sure we will see her on Gardeners World in future!
Solihull Apprenticeship Show 2015
The Apprenticeship Show is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! Having outgrown previous venues, this year’s event is at the NEC for the first time. The 2015 Solihull Apprenticeship Show is being held at The Gallery, The NEC, B40 1NT from 1.30pm – 7pm on Thursday 9th July. It’s completely free to park and there’s no entrance fee. We are encouraging Solihull students age 14 – 24 to come along to the Show to find out about the range of jobs, training and qualifications that are involved in apprenticeships. With parents, carers and teachers all welcome, the event is the perfect chance to fully understand the benefits of apprenticeships, and get any questions answered.
The event provides the perfect opportunity to talk to employers and current apprentices about their experiences, and even get interactive at “have a go” sessions where visitors will be able to try their hand at a range of on-job-tasks. Employers already confirmed to attend are Jaguar Land Rover, Metro Shipping, John Lewis, Secure Trust Bank, Seddon, BT, CIPP, Couch Perry Wilkes, Premier Inn, Carillion, PM Group, and Crowne Plaza. You are most welcome to come along and bring anyone who is interested in Apprenticeships and extend the invitation to any customers you work with. For more information on the Apprenticeship Show, call on 0121 704 6850or visit www.solihullforsuccess.com/News/1/SolihullApprenticeshipShow2015
Support to Success
Universal Credit, a new means tested benefit that will eventually replace six current benefits, began being rolled out in Solihull for newly unemployed single people on 18th May 2015. Universal Credit will gradually be rolled out to a large number of our residents who are currently on one of the means tested benefits or tax credits and need financial assistance. Solihull’s Financial Inclusion Group have developed six key messages under the heading of “Support to Success” which are: getting a job, getting online, getting out of debt, getting a bank account, getting healthier and get budgeting to help raise awareness about Universal Credit.
Information on the range of support available from partners is presented in a number of leaflets, available in printed form from any Walk In Centre or Library, or online at www.solihull.gov.uk/supporttosuccess. We have also produced a video detailing all of the support available which is on the Council’s Youtube channel at http://bit.ly/1AIlKpR If you or your organisation/community groups would like more information or training on the support available behind the six Support to Success key messages please email .
Public Health Bulletin
Please find attached and the link below for the latest Solihull Public Health Bulletin for your information: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Portals/0/SocialServicesAndHealth/Public_Health_bulletin_-_Mar_15.pdf
Child Sexual Exploitation
Like all local authorities Solihull Council is taking Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) very seriously and we now have our own specialist CSE Team, led by Bindy Shah and based at Jensen House. The team is currently delivering briefing sessions so if you think this would interest your organisation/community group please contact Claire Paterson () to arrange.
Remember if you see something, or have a concern, you must say something. To report a Children’s Safeguarding Concern call 0121 788 4333 or if it is outside of office hours call the Emergency Duty Team on 0121 605 6060 or email or report online at www.solihull.gov.uk/staysafe. For more information about the CSE team visit the Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Board website at http://solihulllscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/contents.html or contact the team on 0121 779 1720 or 0121 788 4336.
It's that time of year again, the Solihull Sports Awards
To nominate someone, simply fill in the Nomination Form and return to the address printed. All nominees must live, or represent a club, in the Borough of Solihull. Nominations need to be submitted by 5pm Friday, 4th June 2015. Shortlisted nominees in each category will be invited to a presentation night at the Arts Complex Theatre on Thursday 9th July 2015 at 6.30pm. Deadline extended to Friday 12th June!
http://www.solihullactive.co.uk/sportsolihull/sportsawards2015
Become part of Solihull Girls Can - http://www.solihullactive.co.uk/solihull-active-team/thisgirlcan
Expression of Interest round is open for organisations & clubs to be part of a Borough wide campaign aiming to get more women and girls playing sport and being physically active.
Active Wellbeing Hub
Physical activity benefits many areas of the body including the heart, skeletal muscles, bones, blood, the immune system and the nervous system. Research has shown that physical activity can help prevent and manage more than 20 health conditions and diseases, including coronary heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, mild to moderate depression and obesity.
If you have a particular health condition and want to increase your physical activity levels, then why not try:
• DocSpot Exercise Referral Scheme - This is an opportunity for individuals aged 16 and over, who have mild/moderate health conditions to improve their health through a 12 week programme of physical activity.
• Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise Classes - A 12 week programme of specialist classes that provide a safe and effective opportunity for prostate and colorectal cancer survivors to get back into and benefit from physical activity.
• MS & Parkinson’s Exercise Classes – coming soon.
For more information please call 0121 704 6942.
Clarity of sport club funding
Sport Solihull and Solihull Council have worked with Sustain to review the sport club funding criteria and application form to make it easier for Solihull sports clubs to apply for grants of up to £1000. Simply the Sports Grant programme is looking for projects from not for profit organisations that:
• The promotion of sport within the local community, or
• To increase sports participation, or
• To develop new or existing sports coaches.
Details of the application guidance and application form can be found at http://www.solihullactive.co.uk/Club-sports-grants-simplied
The Great British Tennis Weekend is coming to you!
Try tennis for free at venue near you, 13th/14th June and 1st/2nd August to book and find out more visit www.lta.org.uk/gbtw #anyonefortennis
Change Gear Solihull
Sportive event Sunday 12th July, cycling 38 7 76 mile routes featuring climbs through ‘The Lenches’. For more information and to buy tickets visit http://www.leisurecentre.com/sportives-near/solihull
Summer of Golf in Solihull
Free golf coaching at Tudor Grange Pitch and Putt at Tudor Grange Park. Every Wednesday 1.30-2.30pm, 4.30-5.30pm & 6-7pm. Sign up and play now! For more information visit www.getintogolf.org/summer or call 0800 118 2766
Cycle for Hope
Heart of England Bike Ride Sunday 19th July join us and raise money for life saving heart research. A choice of distances from 13, 19 or 31 miles suitable for all the family. To register visit www.bhf.org.uk/hoebikeride or call 0300 3303322
Love to Ride
Solihull Cycle Challenge 8-28 June. A free workplace competition that everyone can take part in. Ride anywhere anytime for just 10 minutes or more to participate. To register visit www.lovetoride.net/solihull
First Aid
FREE Sports First Aid Monday 22 & 29 June at Solihull Muncipal Bowls Club and FREE Walk Leader Training on Thursday 9 July at Solihull Arts Complex. If interested in either course or to see what other courses we have on offer please visit our website at http://www.solihullactive.co.uk/coaches/Training or call 0121 704 8207.
Operation Kickstart
As part of the revamping of the anti-Offroader operation, an Action Plan has been pulled together by partners, led by Sgt Pete Wall, and is being monitored on a monthly basis at our Partners meetings (PSPs). The activities that have been recommended fall into four main categories: Knowledge and Powers, Communications, Enforcement and Intelligence.
Some excellent work has been undertaken so far, including the following:
Sgt Heathcote has persuaded all the petrol stations on the Chester Road and Cooks Lane to sign up to a memorandum of understanding that will require anyone filling up jerry cans with petrol to produce ID.
PCSO Chris Stowe has begun work on the development of a video highlighting the physical dangers to riders and others of off-roading. Some work needs to be done on this, but we are hoping that young people will be enlisted in this campaign.
Chelmsley Wood Neighbourhood police have been contacting residents in ‘hot’ streets to gather intelligence about riders. Air Support has taken images of offenders and shared them, and one rider has been arrested for dangerous driving, which nearly incurred serious injury in Alder Drive to PC Andy Burton, who is securing an impact statement.
A meeting has been held with Warwickshire Police, who have funding to work across borders and have trained their officers in advanced driving. It is hoped that this partnership will bear fruit over the next few months.
We are coming up for the worst time of year for this problem so please do share any info you have
New Mental Health Support Solihull
Independent Advocacy is delighted to have been commissioned by Solihull Council & Solihull CCG to deliver a new diverse project which will enable people to access support who may be already be accessing mental health services or feel they have low mental health needs and feel there is little or no support for them. Our project will assist individuals to transform their lives by receiving support by working with them that will prevent the Individuals needs from becoming more serious and allow them to get information and advice they need to make good decisions about care, support and training.
The project will consist of an experienced mental health advocate who is practiced in the skills needed for both peer support advocacy and 1 to 1 advocacy, using coaching, recovery planning and mediation, whilst always advocating self –advocacy and enabling individual to take control of their own lives. Each individual, whilst attending one of our well being hubs in the Solihull area, will develop their own personal advocacy support plan supported by the advocate.
Any clients can visit our weekly drop in at Chelmsley Wood library community advice hub on a Wednesday between 10am to 2pm for further information or contact us by:
Email:
Phone 02476 697443 ex 228.
Website:www.independentadvocacy.org.uk
Date for your Diary:
The next Bi-Annual Partnership Forum meeting is on Tuesday 8th September, 6:30-8:45pm at CTC Kingshurst Academy. Before the meeting we are offering you the opportunity to have a tour of the life-sized World War One trench which has been built at the School. If you are interested in having the tour please let me know – this will start from 5:30pm, to enable people to have time to also have a drink before the start of the meeting at 6:30pm.
Hannah Colson
Partnership Support Officer
Communities and Adult Social Care Directorate
0121 704 8258
www.solihull.gov.uk/solihullpartnership
@solihullpship
CSW Broadband update
SMBC will be holding a local briefing event on the 9th September between 6:30pm and 9pm in the Arts Complex This is an event that is being run by the CSW team and will be repeated across all of the partner authorities. “These have been going very well. The events in Rugby, Warwick and Stratford were well attended and the questioning was robust! These events have a two-way benefit. Attendees get to find out more about the CSW Broadband rollout, about broadband in general and about the Broadband Connection Vouchers Scheme. They also get to ask questions about their specific area. For our part, we learn more about the questions and concerns that people have and this helps to build our understanding so that we can get the right information to you. We’ll be using some of the questions that were raised in the Q&A section of this and future newsletters and on the website”.
More information about the CSW project is available on their website http://www.cswbroadband.org.uk/ or by signing up to the newsletter http://www.cswbroadband.org.uk/contact-us/register-for-more-information/
Some Funding Opportunities
Skipton Building Society - 2015 Grassroots Giving Programme Opens for Applications (UK)
To celebrate its 162nd birthday, the Skipton Building Society has launched its Grantsroots Giving programme for 2015.
Through the programme 162 groups around the country can win award of £500 to help them with their community work. The idea behind our Grassroots Giving campaign is to help community organisations, or groups, who only have access to limited funding from elsewhere. For this reason, registered charities will not be able to request funding via Grassroots Giving.