Free Hockey Sessions for Children
Poole Hockey Club are running free hockey sessions on Saturday mornings for children in years 1-3. On Saturdays from 9-10am at Ashdown Leisure Centre – email [email protected] for more details.
Scams Advice
Age UK have been in touch to signpost their advice on avoiding scams, which are becoming ever more sophisticated. Age UK’s information and advice guides are free to download via their website, and you can also call their free advice line (0800 055 6112) to order free printed copies. To find out more about avoiding being scammed see, HERE
Post Office Closure
The Post Office have been in touch to highlight the temporary closure of Hillview Post Office at Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3LN. This is due to extensive building work. To find an alternative branch you can search on their website Branch Finder The Post Office is due to open again on Thursday 2nd November, with the same products, services & opening hours as previously.
Tobacco Insert Consultation
The Department of Health & Social Care are seeking views on adding pack inserts into tobacco products to encourage more smokers to quit, as it launches a new consultation. The inserts, placed inside the packaging of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, can provide information about the health and financial benefits of quitting, which includes a 50% reduction in the risk of a heart attack within a year, an improvement in breathing in a matter of days, with the average smoker likely to save over £2000 per year if they quit, as well as advice on how to quit. Smoking remains the single leading preventable cause of illness and mortality in the UK and results in nearly 4% of all hospital admissions each year – a total of around 450,000 admissions, directly costing the NHS over £2 billion per year. Although smoking rates in the UK are at an all-time low, by taking further action, the Government will seek to cut waiting lists and reduce the burden on the NHS and the introduction of the pack inserts into all tobacco products in the UK could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers quitting, delivering health benefits worth £1.6 billion. You can have your say in the consultation, HERE
Funding for Farmers
Local farmers across Dorset can now pre-register their interest for Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The SFI will pay farmers for taking steps that support food production, better farm productivity and resilience, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment; something I am keen to help promote, given the wealth of wonderful farms, farmers and food producers we are very fortunate to have locally. You can find out more HERE and find further guidance on this HERE
Tesco Grants
Tesco have launched their new community grants programme, Stronger Starts, in partnership with Groundwork UK, which will provide £5 million in grants to help provide children across the UK a healthier, more active start in life. The programme aims to support 5,000 schools and children’s groups every year and will provide them with nutritious food, healthy activities, including PE, breakfast clubs and new sports equipment. Successful applications will enter quarterly voting rounds in store, where customers can vote for their favourite with a blue token, and the best part is every entry is a winner with grants of up to £500, £1,000, and £1,500. This new programme builds on the £100 million Tesco has pledged to more than 50,000 projects through its community grants schemes since 2016. You can nominate a local school or group in Mid Dorset & North Poole, HERE Importantly, do use a blue token next time you’re in store to vote for your favourite project!
Digital Health Check
As part of our plan to cut waiting lists, we’re rolling out a new digital NHS Health Check, delivering one million checks across England by next spring. These checks, accessible via a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, will help tackle cardiovascular disease by providing personalised advice about how to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, with GP referrals made only if further tests and treatment are needed. The existing in-person NHS Health Check has already helped spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease and dementia, and so it’s really important that we build on these successes to tackle cardiovascular disease, identifying and supporting those at risk early on. Further, digital checks could help free up hundreds of thousands of appointments in primary care and help cut NHS waiting times, whilst still ensuring that improved support for cardiovascular disease is provided. Cardiovascular disease affects around 6.4 million people, and so these new digital health checks are a welcome tool to help tackle this major health condition, ultimately helping people to live healthier lives, whilst also reducing pressure on the NHS. See Health Check for full details.
UK Parliament Week
UK Parliament Week is back for 2023 between the 6th and 12th November. It’s Parliament’s flagship public engagement campaign, spreading the word about what Parliament is, and is a great opportunity to find out what it does and crucially, how you can get involved. Organisations, irrespective of size or age group, including community groups, youth groups and schools, can sign up online and receive free resource kits to help them organise their UKPW activities. Last year, 1.1 million people took part in over 10,000 activities in every region and nation of the UK. Find out more and sign up, https://www.ukparliamentweek.org/en/
Children’s Survey
The Children’s Commissioner is launching ‘The Big Ambition’ to hear directly from children, young people, and parents from across the country. Through The Big Ambition survey she wants to hear from children and young people about their schools, communities, family life, and the wider world. She is also be asking what they want for their future, their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The survey is for all children and young people aged 6, up to 18. Alongside this, parents and other adults can complete the survey on behalf of children aged 0, up to 5, to ensure we also hear from early years settings. It is critical that everyone has their voice heard – so please do take part: BIG AMBITION
If you have anything you would like to be featured next time, please email the details to [email protected]
