Wellbeing in Partnership E-Bulletin – Bromsgrove & Redditch – February 2022

Dear all,

Please find the February Partnership bulletin below.  Given recent announcements, Covid related information remains at the top but please scroll down for information updates on services, training, events etc.

The contents of these bulletins are made up of whatever you decide to send through so if you have information you think is relevant and helpful to share with other local organisations, you can email it to: 

 

COVID UPDATE  

As announced this week, the government is removing remaining domestic restrictions in England from Thursday 24 February.  There are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19:

·        Get vaccinated

·        Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside

·        Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

·        Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and stay at home if positive

·        Washing hands

Living with COVID-19 – Published on 21 February, this document outlines the government’s plan for living with COVID-19.  This plan – underpinned by vaccines – will remove remaining legal domestic restrictions while continuing to protect people most vulnerable to COVID-19 and maintaining resilience.

COVID Vaccinations  

 

 

Want to know if the Walk-In Clinic at the Artrix is available before you visit?  You can use the traffic light system online to find out when and where walk-ins are available: Walk-In Clinics Worcestershire – SW Healthcare.  Remember, you do not need to be registered with a GP to attend a walk in vaccination site.

  • You do need to be registered with a GP to book a dose of COVID vaccine in advance but you do NOT need to be registered with a GP to visit a walk-in vaccination site.

*UPDATE*  COVID Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme

 

Test and Trace Support Payment scheme has supported people on low incomes who are unable to work from home and will lose income if they are required to self-isolate because of COVID-19.   As there will be no legal requirement to self-isolate from the 24 February, the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme will also end.  However, anyone told to self-isolate before 24 February can still make a claim up to 6 April.  Redditch and Bromsgrove residents can find out more on eligibility and how to apply at:

https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/money,-education-skills/benefits-help/nhs-covid-19-test-and-trace-self-isolation-support-payment.aspx

https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/money-education-and-skills/benefits-and-help/nhs-covid-19-test-and-trace-self-isolation-support-payment.aspx

COVID & Vaccination Data – Public Health Worcestershire

 

  • Real Time Worcestershire Coronavirus Data – is publicly available.  The live dashboard shows the numbers of new cases Worcestershire wide and also by District.  Further information about COVID-19 cases in Worcestershire can be found through the LG inform data website.  There are also interactive maps covering all of the UK can be found on the gov.uk website.

Services / Support – Information Updates

  • *Update* Worcestershire Household Support Fund – Act on Energy – Waiting List – As you will be aware from previous emails, this was open to qualifying residents across Worcestershire to support with their energy bills, fuel debt and where required assistance to replace broken boilers and heating systems, until the end of March 2022 subject to funding.  A waiting list is now being operated but please keep an eye out for updates online as the website will be updated with any further change:  WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND – Act On Energy.

  • Health Walks Scheme & New Walking Friends Scheme – Worcestershire Health Walks offer free group walks across the county led by volunteers, including buggy walks for new mum and there is also the new Walking Friends Scheme which offers free walks with a friendly volunteer.  Interested individuals are matched with a local volunteer that can meet on a regular basis for a short walk.  Poster relating to the new Walking Friends Scheme is attached so that you can help promote.

  • *Reminder* FREE Community Transport to community physical activity sessions in Bromsgrove and Redditch – To help people get out and meet people safely and access community activities such as Strong and Steady, Active Seniors, Covid Recovery Living Lung, Health Walks AND Age UK BRWF Exercise Groups, for a short time, free community transport is available!  Details are attached with booking information included.  Further details on the different sessions available in the Bromsgrove and Redditch are on the Council websites so please use the links provided.  Or call Hayley Gwilliam direct on 01527 881404.  Information on Bromsgrove Urban and Rural Transport (BURT) and Redditch Dial-A-Ride and how to book can be found online too or call BURT on 01527 585893 and Redditch Dial‑A‑Ride on 01527 64910.  Please help promote.

  • *Reminder* Repair Café in Bromsgrove launching 5 March – please help promote – Repair Café is a community project to inspire to repair and reuse.  They are monthly meeting places and are all about repairing things together.  Valuable practical knowledge can be passed on and repair experiences can be shared.  The main aim is to help stop good things going into landfill.  The Bromsgrove Repair Café will launch 5 March and meet every first Saturday of the month thereafter from 2-5pm at All Saints Church Hall (Burcot Lane).  All are welcome, including repairers!!  Further details are attached – please help promote.  Have a question?  You can contact Ros Cooke on 07804 251731.

Events / Roadshows

  • Commonwealth Games Jobs Fair in Birmingham on 28 February – Please see attached information on a Jobs Fair at Birmingham Library.  There may well be local residents who would be interested in going along to find out more information on jobs and training opportunities associated with the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games so please help promote.

  • The Future of Employment Support for Worcestershire 2022 – A Worcestershire event is planned on 17 March and further details is attached.

  • Glow – Night time walk for Dementia – Glow is a series of fun and colourful night walks which raise money for life-changing dementia support.  Paul Chambers, from Chandler Court in Bromsgrove, is a Dementia Ambassador supporting Alzheimer’s Society and wants to promote this event.  The local walk is at Warwick racecourse on 25 March and they don’t have enough walkers registered.  However, anyone interested can find out more or sign up to be a volunteer or walk online.  Paul has a 25% discount code for anyone registering in the next week or so which is: Warwick25.  Simply enter that code when you register online.  Further details from Paul are attached, including a poster for you to share.

 

Consultations / Surveys

·       Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation 2022-32 – What does being well mean to you? – Views of Bromsgrove and Redditch residents please!! – The formal consultation is open now until 2 May 2022 and will help shape Worcestershire’s health and wellbeing priorities for the next 10 years.  The consultation is open to everyone and will help the Health and Wellbeing Board build up a picture of what wellbeing means to people of all ages.  Further details are attached and can be found at: Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation | Worcestershire County Council.  A partner resources pack has been created too and is available here: Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Partner Resources Pack – Google Drive.  Thanks in advance for your help.

 

  • Families First – Survey on familial imprisonment – can you help us determine the scope of need? – For the last 14 months, YSS has been running a pilot project, Families First, to support families affected by parental imprisonment in Worcestershire.  YSS are currently supporting 15 families but they know there are more people out there that need help.  Therefore, YSS are asking professionals currently working with or aware of a family affected by familial imprisonment to complete a quick survey to help: understand if there is a wider need; develop the service; and understand how best to reach out to the families.  You are not asked for any information that could identify the families and you will not be contacted unless you request it.

·       Furniture Poverty Research – please find attached further details on the work that Marion Kenyon from NewStarts is undertaking.  She is looking for both individuals and families experiencing the effects of furniture poverty and also those professionals who work with families and individuals experiencing the effects. There is an online survey (which is more directed at those directly experiencing furniture poverty, but could be completed by a professional, filling in the comments boxes).  Your help in gathering the research will be very much appreciated.  As stated in her email attached, understanding the effect on individuals and families is a good first step in finding solutions.  If you have any queries, you can contact Marion at: 

Funding

 

  • Redditch Borough Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Scheme 2022-23 – closing date is Friday 25 February 2022 – Voluntary and community groups have been invited to bid for up to £10k in the council’s grant funding, including a separate ‘Mental Health’ pot.   Anyone interested in applying can bid for funding from £500 up to £10K, to help with core costs and salaries or to support them to deliver great community events, projects, and activities.  A total of £101k is available to bid for, with £10K specifically ringfenced to create a separate ‘Mental Health’ funding pot.  From this pot, VCS groups can bid for between £500 and £5,000 to help them deliver specific projects to support those Redditch residents who have suffered from or have worsened mental health and wellbeing issues as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.  Further information can be found at: Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Scheme 2022/23 – redditchbc.gov.uk

  • Social Prescribing Community Fund – small grants of up to £500 still available! – The scheme supports local projects that improve and increase the choice, range and reach of available community activities for social prescribing to refer local people to and although the main grants is closed, small grants of up to £500 are still available.  Further information at: Social Prescribing Community Fund | Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (barn.org.uk)

 

Training / Courses / Workshops

 

  • Signs of Safety Partnership Training – 1 April 9am-12noon – This course will provide greater detail of the Signs of Safety Practice Model and is relevant for professionals contributing directly to assessments and plans and attending Social Care meetings, including Early Help.  Further details including how to book are attached.

  • Workpays – Courses available in Redditch and virtually – Workpays are a training provider and they upskill people (course list attached) and then through their network, they progress customers into jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships or further education.  Some courses are delivered locally in Redditch as well as other parts of Worcestershire and online too.  Attached is the course list and a retail course as an example which you may wish to help promote, particularly in Redditch.  These opportunities are promoted through the jobcentres but please note that should anyone wish to attend a course and are in receipt of benefits, they should speak to their work coach first.  If you have any queries, you can contact Rahul direct at: 

  • Parenting Courses such as HENRY and more! – The Starting Well Partnership will be running a group called HENRY.  It’s a FREE course and families receive different items as part of a goody bag that has over £20 of resources to use at home.  HENRY looks at developing healthy lifestyles, family routines and increasing emotional wellbeing.  Sessions are 2 hours and run over 8 weeks. Parents can call up for a place an professionals can refer.  Further details are attached.  There is also a menu of Parenting groups and other services offering support to parents of children aged 0-19 years.  Go to: Starting Well Partnership | Worcestershire | Starting Well (startingwellworcs.nhs.uk)

Other Newsletters

  • DWP Touchbase, DWP Mercia Newsletter and latest two DWP Weekly updates – all attached for information.
  • NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (HW CCG) – Communications Update  &  Involvement Network Update – latest of both are attached.

Hope you find some of the information above helpful.  If you would like any information included in a future bulletin, simply email .

Kind Regards,

Della McCarthy

Bromsgrove Partnership Manager

Email: