Connect -Spring 2015

This issue…

Your guide to Spring days out in our area

The magazine for the people of Bath and North East Somerset | Spring 2015

A day in the life…

We catch up with a street cleaning operative

Making a

Win £50

in our phot competitio o n on page 6

Brought to you in partnership with:

connection

Supporting Young People

Plus... All the latest news

including new cycle race in Bath & extra support for household bills

Welcome

Spring 2015

If you have problems reading this magazine, please contact Bath & North East Somerset Council for a braille or larger version on 01225 477495

W

elcome to the Spring 2015 edition of Connect magazine. With the lighter nights upon us, this edition is packed with a wide variety of events and activities to keep you busy.

In addition, we take a look at the development of Bath’s Enterprise Area (on page 16) and how we’re reconnecting the appeal of the River Avon with the heart of Bath. You can also take part in a competition to design your own unique bridge – so get your creative juices flowing.

On page 10 you can discover how the Youth Connect service offers a wide range of advice and support for young people across Bath and North East Somerset – including getting into training, education or work.

With the health and wellbeing of

residents across the district being a top priority for the Council, on page 12 we’re encouraging our residents to consider the benefits of screening for breast and cervical cancers.

In this issue...

“This edition is packed with a wide variety of events to keep you busy”

Newsdesk............................... 4

We also take a look at April’s introduction of the Care Act on page 23 to explain what it means for carers and those who they care for.

Finally, on page 38 you can meet the Welfare Support Team – and learn more about the invaluable support they provide to people in need – from furniture to food banks.

Making a new connection.....10

The latest news including advice on how to register to vote and keeping fit in Keynsham

Events diary............................ 8 Spring events: theatre, exhibitions, music and comedy festivals and World Heritage Day

See how Youth Connect brings together all the youth services under one caring umbrella

Screening for your health......12 With uptake below the national average, it’s time to take a fresh look at health screening

Sending a strong message.....14 Parent Partnership Service has changed its name and is reaching more people than ever

Tales of the riverbank............16

23

Progress update on the exciting regeneration project along the banks of the River Avon

Taking it personally................19 Sirona’s new mission statement, delivering local services and quit smoking workshops

Offering a helping hand........ 23 The new Care Act comes into force in April – find out what it means to you

10 is brought to you by...

Connect magazine is distributed to 76,000 households. It is produced in partnership between Bath & North East Somerset Council and MediaClash

MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW T: 01225 475800 W: www.mediaclash.co.uk

For advertising enquiries contact lisa.rodd@mediaclash.co.uk

8

Recycling matters................. 24 The value of recyclable materials in your bin, composting and how to beat the gull menace

Your care, your way............... 28 Planning community services – a brand new initiative that needs your input

Blue badge scheme.............. 30 A vital service for those with mobility issues

Meet the.................................. 38 The council’s amazing Welfare Support Team

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 3

Newsdesk Newsdesk

Keeping you informed with the latest news from the area

If you are not registered to vote then it is important you do so

Make your voice heard on election day In May you will have the chance to elect a new Member of Parliament – but only if you’re registered to vote

E

lection day is fast approaching, but not everyone in Bath & North East Somerset is registered to vote. With a population of more than 180,000, it is important that everyone has an opportunity to elect a Member of Parliament for their area.

Vernon Hitchman, Electoral Registration Officer for B&NES Council says: “Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their lives, and also spread the message among family and friends who may not have registered. It only takes a few minutes to complete the form online.”

All properties covered by Bath & North East Somerset should by now have received a letter with details of everyone who is currently on the electoral register for that property. Anyone

4 | Connect | Spring 2015

living in the property whose name doesn’t appear on the letter should register so they can vote on 7 May. Local elections will take place on the same day.

According to Kay Jenkins, Head of English Regions at the Electoral Commission, young people, students and people who move frequently are less likely than others to be registered to vote. “It’s important that anyone who is eligible to be on the register but isn’t on it takes the opportunity to put that right as soon as possible.”

In the past, one person could register everyone who lived in their household. Now, each person is responsible for registering him or herself under the Individual Electoral Registration system. As long as you are a British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen or

a European Union citizen resident in the UK you are eligible to register. When you do, you will need to provide your National Insurance Number and your date of birth, and you should also be 16 or over, although of course you’re not entitled to vote until you’re 18. n

Find out more

To register online, visit www.gov.uk/register-tovote. For a paper copy of the registration form, contact the electoral registration office on 01225 477333 or elections@bathnes.gov.uk

www.bathnes.gov.uk/latestnews

Get fit in Keynsham

News round-up Top cycle race hits Bath The Pearl Izumi Tour Series comes to Bath for its final round in June. The professional cycle race series, now in its seventh season, will see top British men’s and women’s teams competing on nine city-centre circuits, hoping to be crowned Britain’s fastest team. Opening on Tuesday 12 May, the series culminates in Bath on Tuesday 11 June. For more information, including a calendar of venues, circuit maps and details of all the teams, visit: www.tourseries.co.uk.

Hit the trail in Keynsham

W

ork on Keynsham’s first outdoor gym is due to be completed at the end of March.

The new facility in Keynsham Memorial Park will include outdoor fitness kit and three new marked trails for running, jogging and walking.

Keynsham Memorial Park already has two children’s play areas, a skate park, a picnic area, a bowling green, multi-sport courts and a café. This project will add to the facilities, as well as encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles.

To help with the latter, the Council’s Active Lifestyles and Health Improvement Team will provide a fitness coach and a running leader to run sessions on the equipment and trails.

The Council spent £30,000 of regeneration funding on the project.

There are also further plans to plant more flowers and shrubs in the park, which was the proud recipient of a prestigious Gold Award in the RHS Southwest in Bloom Awards for the first time last year. n

Extra support for household energy bills

A

service is helping local people save money on their energy bills. The Bath & North East Somerset Energy At Home Advice Service was set up by B&NES Council and other local partners as part of a wider energy efficiency scheme for residents.

Call the Advice Service to find out how to reduce your fuel bills, what energy saving home improvements might be suitable for your home, and what grants and other finance are available. For example B&NES Council currently has a Green Deal Top Up Grant of up to £7000 for solid wall insulation.

Where appropriate, the Advice Service can book you in for a home energy assessment which is free to those in receipt of qualifying benefits. The Advice Service can talk you through the assessment report, help you understand your options and will even help you find a certified installer.

The Advice Service is available Monday

to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 6am to 12noon. Call Freephone 0800 038 5680, email advice@energyathome.org.uk or visit www.energyathome.org.uk Or drop in to the One Stop Shop, Manvers Street, Bath to speak to an Advisor face-toface on the first Friday of the month, between 10 and 12noon. n

Car point is the star

A new charging point for electric vehicles has been set up in South Wansdyke Sports Centre car park in Midsomer Norton. The new unit, which allows two cars to charge at once, is the latest in a series of charging points across B&NES, whose locations include the Odd Down and Lansdown Park & Ride sites, Bath’s Charlotte Street car park and the University of Bath. For a complete list, visit www. sourcewest.info. Further units are planned.

Dementia initiative The libraries service has launched Books on Prescription to help people with dementia. The scheme includes a list of 25 titles offering information and advice, personal accounts and suggestions for shared therapeutic activities.

The books, recommended by health experts and people who have experience of the illness, are available from all Bath & North East Somerset libraries, and can be reserved free of charge online at www.librarieswest.org.uk.

Museum dresses up

bills Save money on your energy

Glamorous gowns by some of the biggest names in fashion have gone on display at the Fashion Museum. The Great Names of Fashion exhibition will showcase work by leading designers such as Christian Dior, Yves St Laurent, Ossie Clark, Bill Gibb and Alexander McQueen. The exhibition will be on throughout the year at the Museum, located inside The Assembly Rooms in Bath. For more information visit: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk.

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 5

Newsdesk

More defibrillators being installed

T

he Council is to install defibrillators throughout the city centre and surrounding villages. The move comes after the theft of a device outside the Council’s Northgate House offices in Bath in January.

The Council is working with fundraisers from nearby pub, The Volunteer Rifleman Arms, who had raised £2,000 to install the stolen machine. The fund was started in July 2013 by Bath taxi driver Dave “Wally” Waldron, who died of a heart attack in April last year, aged 51. The device, which had been donated in his memory, saved two lives within a week of commission.

Defibrillators can be accessed by the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week with an access code provided by South West Ambulance following a 999 call. There are five other machines in Bath: at the Recreation Ground, the Tennis Club in Weston, St John’s Primary School in Oldfield, Southgate Management Suite and the Butchers in Larkhall. Others are planned for the Lower Bristol Road, Moorland Road, Odd Down, London Road, Southdown, Bathavon, and Lambridge.

All the new machines will be within range of CCTV cameras. “We have learned the hard way that no matter how many lives these machines can save – and statistics show that 70% of people who are defibrillated within the first

few minutes of a cardiac arrest survive – they are the target for thefts,” says Funding and Programmes Manager for Bath & North East Somerset Council, Susan Bowen.

Alongside this initiative, the Council is working with Avon Fire and Rescue to develop vandal-proof cabinets for life-saving equipment along the River Avon, where 55 lifebuoys have been stolen or vandalised since 2011.

B&NES is also urging people to be vigilant: if you see damage to a defibrillator or lifebuoy cabinet, please report it to the police. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Susan Bowen on 01225 477278. Cheques to be made payable to the AED Defibrillator Fund. n

Here are the latest ongoing projects in your community Newbridge Park and Ride

The new car park extension at the Newbridge Park and Ride will provide an extra 248 parking spaces for commuters. Landscaping and car parking are due for completion in late Spring. A new facilities building is also being built for the parking attendant’s office, bus shelter and new public toilets.

St Saviour’s Junior School

The construction of a new five-classroom teaching block and new kitchen is well underway. A significant upgrade of the school buildings, this will create a more cohesive and contemporary learning environment for pupils and teachers alike.

More defibrillators to be provided

Connect competition

WIN

0!

Name £5 the location?

Do you recognise the Bath road that is shown in the black-and-white image to the left? If you do then enter our competition.

This photograph was kindly provided by the Bath Records Office (www.batharchives.co.uk)

How to enter Email: Send your answer to connectmagazine@bathnes.gov.uk Post: Send your answer to Connect Competition, Floor 1, Guildhall, Bath BA1 5AW LAST ISSUE’S WINNER: Janet Alexander-Jones of Bath ANSWER: Cleveland Bridge.

Terms and conditions: Competition open to residents of Bath and North East Somerset only.

Employees of MediaClash and Bath & North East Somerset Council (or relatives) not eligible to enter. Editor’s decision is final.

6 | Connect | Spring 2015

New Pavilion for Odd Down

The new pavilion opened in mid-March and following the opening, the old pavilion will be stripped out and demolished. External works will continue to enable the grand opening of the whole pavilion site in the early summer.

Calendar

events diary Spring is in the air, and we have plenty of colourful events on offer from art and fashion to comedy, fringe and Easter egg hunts

Workshops with patients at the RUH

Until 3 May

Until 17 April

Xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx x

Caneletto comes to Bath

British masters at the Holburne Museum

MARCH

Entry to museum is free, exhibition entry £6.50 (under 16s free).

Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB. www.holburne.org 01225 388569

n Paradis Palm Court Trio 27 March One of a series of lunchtime concerts on the first Friday of each month.

12.30-1.30pm at the Assembly Room, Midsomer Norton Town Hall.

For more information and details of other chamber music events, visit www.musicianssouthwest.com 01761 419133

n Bath Comedy Festival 27 March-6 April Now in its seventh year, the festival boasts a great line-up including Terry Jones, Arthur Smith, Fred Macaulay, Helen Lederer and many more. For more details, visit www.bathcomedy.com or call Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.

Cutting edge fashion

Bath in Fashion 21-29 March

n Easter Fun Day 31 March A family day with craft activities, games, stalls and an Easter egg hunt. 11am to 2pm Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Bath BA2 1NW. www.bathcityfarm.org.uk 01225 481269

Now in its sixth year – enjoy the work of celebrated designers, fashion editors and writers at catwalk shows, films and talks, plus knitting and jewellery workshops to try. www.bathinfashion.co.uk

8 | Connect | Spring 2015

Hatched, Matched, Dispat ched

n Art in the RUH Until 17 April Art at the Heart celebrates the visual creative arts within the corridors of the RUH. The programme includes exhibitions by local artists, performances, readings and workshops for patients and staff. www.ruh.nhs.uk/art/

n Canaletto’s Regatta on the Grand Canal Until 3 May A rare chance to see one of Canaletto’s finest paintings at the Victoria Art Gallery, as part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour, before it continues its journey around the country this year.

The Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AT. www.victoriagal.org.uk 01225 477233 n Gwen John to Lucian Freud

Glenda Maynard at the RUH

Until 7 June

Until 7 June With the theme of ‘Home and The World’, this fascinating exhibition of 32 Modern British art works from five major 20th-century artists is not to be missed.

n Hatched, Matched, Dispatched – & Patched!

Until 1 November An exhibition of textiles, including quilts and historic costumes, commemorating family milestones. Plus Spirit Hawk Eye, featuring photographs of Native Americans in California, Arizona and New Mexico. The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. www.americanmuseum.org 01225 460503

APRIL

n Midsomer Norton Farmers’ Market 4 April Monthly in The Hollies Garden, High Street. For details of dates and locations of other farmers’ markets in the area, www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk 01373 814646

n The Hard Problem 16 April Tom Stoppard’s new play at Midsomer Norton Town Hall in a live screening of The National Theatre’s production. www.midsomernortoncommunity trust.co.uk; 01761 419133

MAY

Radstock Museum

n World Heritage Day 19 April Join in a celebration of Bath’s ‘World Heritage Site’ status with a day of events and activities in Prior Park Landscape Garden. From 10am to 4.30pm. Free entry with a Discovery Card. www.bathnes.gov.uk 01225 477584 n Beau Street Hoard Symposium 23-24 April A free two-day conference on coin hoards in 3rd-century Britain at The Assembly Rooms, Bath. For more details and to book, visit www.romanbaths.co.uk.

n Trains, Boats and Lanes Until 30 April A new exhibition tells the fascinating story of transport in the town as it evolved from Roman times to the present day.

At Radstock Museum, Waterloo Road, Radstock BA3 3EP. www.radstockmuseum.co.uk 01761 437722

n Bath Open Studio Weekends Each weekend in May Four areas of Bath pay host to the Open Studio weekends – visit Larkhall, Bear Flat, Widcombe and Newbridge to check out the creativity of local artists. www.bathopenstudios.co.uk n Man and Superman 14 May A live screening of The National Theatre production of Bernard Shaw’s play, starring Ralph Fiennes at Midsomer Norton Town Hall. Tickets available now. www.midsomernortoncommunity trust.co.uk; 01761 419133 n Party in the City 15 May Join in this celebration of Bath’s talented music scene at a fantastic programme of free events, showcasing the work of 2,000 local musicians of all ages across 40 venues across the city. For more information on how to be a part of it – as a performer or spectator, visit www.bathfestivals.org.uk n International Bath Music Festival 15-26 May The festival celebrates its 67th year with a programme that combines classical music with contemporary jazz, world music and folk. Including performances

A Good Little Runner by Beryl Cook

Victoria Art Gallery n Beryl Cook – Intimate Relations Until 3 May A major retrospective features the work of one of Britain’s best-loved artists. The collection of more than 50 oil paintings spans her entire career, from her first painting in 1962 to one of the last before her death in 2008. Co-curated with the Alexander Gallery.

Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AT. www.victoriagal.org.uk 01225 477233

by Hugh Masekela, Willard White, Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory and Emily Portman. For more details and information on how to book, visit www.bathfestivals.org.uk

farm displays and competitions, it is a great day out at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet. www.bathandwest.com

n Widcombe Art Trail

n Corsham Walking Festival 12-14 June Join local walkers to enjoy the spectacular Wiltshire countryside in this year’s festival with 22 walks taking place over three days, opened by explorer David Hempleman-Adams. www.corshamforwalking.org.uk

JUNE

16-17 May This fascinating Art Trail around the residential area of Widcombe includes demonstrations, workshops and more. www.widcombearttrail.com

n Bath Fringe Festival 22 May-7 June This popular annual summer event brings together a wealth of art forms over 17 days for a celebration of local talent in venues all over the city. For more information or how to get involved, visit www.bathfringe.co.uk; 01225 480079 n The Royal Bath & West Show 27-30 May The Royal Bath & West Show is England’s biggest celebration of rural life and England’s only four-day royal show. With local produce to try and buy,

Family fun at Bath City Farm

13 June Join in the fun at this popular annual village day, which happens from 12 noon-7pm at Beacon Field, French Close, Peasedown St John BA2 8SN. For more information, go online to: www.peasedownpartyinthepark. org.uk or call 01761 300685

Add an event Any member of the public or organisation or can add an event to our online calendar.

Bath Fringe Festival © wendy matthews

n Throughout the city 22 May-7 June

This popular annual summer event brings together a wealth of art forms over 17 days for a celebration of local talent in venues all over the city. For more information or find out how to get involved, visit www.bathfringe.co.uk; 01225 4800079

n Peasedown Party in the Park

Bath Fringe Festival

All you need to do is register with us via the website. Events will be searchable by date or category.

Visit www.bathnes.gov. uk/events to begin uploading your event.

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 9

Youth Connect brings together all the youth services under one umbrella

Making a new connection Connexions and Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Youth Service have now joined forces to become Youth Connect – making it easier for local young people to get the support they need

T

he newly formed Youth Connect, which unites the Council’s Youth Services with Connexions into a single team, is giving young people aged 11-25 – with the focus on those aged 13-19 – better access to the support they need on their way into adulthood. With the name chosen by young people themselves, Youth Connect spans a host of programmes and services, from youth hubs, activities and advice sessions to personal support , and guidance on

Youth Connect offers a ‘joi ned

up’ service

10 | Connect | Spring 2015

education, employment and training opportunities. It also organises projects on issues such as crime prevention, health, homelessness, the environment, drugs and coordinates the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Focused on different localities across the area, the service operates at four youth hubs – at Southside and Riverside in Bath, Peasedown St John and Radstock – and in a mobile unit which delivers sessions for young people at a range of other locations across B&NES. Youth Connect staff also work with young people in schools and colleges and run drop-in sessions for unemployed young people in the B&NES One Stop Shops.

Youth Connect’s extensive programme was designed in conjunction with young people and is delivered by experienced and professionally trained staff as well as a team of volunteers. It includes drop-in sessions

for young people who are not engaged in education, training or employment, sports, music, arts and craft projects, off-site activities, as well as one-to-one support on issues ranging from gaining self confidence and dealing with bullying to help with housing, benefits, unemployment and health. There is also individual support for those who need extra help with getting into training, education or work.

“Young people can access the service in exactly the same way as before,” said Sally Churchyard, the Council’s 11-19 Prevention Service Manager, “but they will now have a better and faster response to their needs. Bringing Youth Worker and Personal Advisor staff together into a single team gives us broader skills and greater flexibility, which for young people means a more ‘joined up’ service as well as access to more targeted personal support.” n

“Young people will now have a better and faster response to their needs”

www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/children-young-people-and-families/

Youth Connect in action Youth Connect helps young people take positive steps forward in all kinds of ways, ranging from ongoing one-to-one support to guidance and advice at youth hubs and mobile units. Youth Connect also works in close partnership with other services such as CAMHS, to support young people with greater needs.

anxiety and depression and Youth Connect gave him support. It helped him build self-esteem and he has now joined The Prince’s Trust re-engagement and employability programme for unemployed young people. n Providing targeted ongoing support and contact for a young person who was self-harming, which included working with them to identify the triggers, helping them with coping strategies, and ensuring access to the relevant counselling.

Open sessions at Youth Hubs spark a host of positive outcomes for young people too. For example, at a recent two-hour session:

Fun activities and a chance to chat The service has made a big difference to young peoples’ lives including: n A young woman was helped to achieve her ambition of working with children. An adviser supported her in her application for college and for a bursary, and secured her a placement at a primary school. She is now at Bristol City College working towards her teaching qualification. n A young man unemployed since leaving college was being treated for

n Three young men with a casual attitude towards sex found out about sexually transmitted diseases and were provided with contraceptives. n A young man who was upset about the recent death of an aunt was able to talk about his feelings, helping him to come to terms with his loss.

Youth hubs are a great pla ce to

relax

excluded from school, it transpired that one of them was caring for his mother and struggling to get up in the mornings.

He was referred to a young carer’s agency and was bought an alarm clock. n A chat with some young men over a game of pool about their attempts to find work led to invitations to a job club later in the week at the hub.

n During a long conversation with three young men

n Advisors from a local drugs and alcohol service came along to the session which prompted a lively debate about risks associated with drugs and alcohol use.

Share feelings in confidence

Join in and move forward with Youth Connect n Bzine is an online magazine for

young people in B&NES packed with great stories. Have your say about what’s happening in your area too. www.bzine.uk n Full details of all the youth hubs and

mobile projects, including opening times and programmes, are at: www. bathnes.gov.uk/services/childrenyoung-people-and-families/bzine/ youth-hubs-projects n Have you thought about becoming

a Youth Connect volunteer? If you get on well with young people and like the

idea of being a positive role model for them, you could make a difference by becoming a Youth Connect volunteer. Mainly helping with informal activities in the evenings at a youth hub, the volunteer service welcomes applications from local people whatever their background or qualifications, and full training will be given. n You can call us directly on 01225

396980 or email YouthConnect_ Service@bathnes.gov.uk for information about programmes and activities in your area or for help with your particular need

Find out more The Youth Connect service works with young people aged 11-25 years old, although the focus of its work is with those aged 13-19 years.

The service employs a range of full-time and part-time, experienced and professionally trained staff, who support, challenge and enable the learning of young people in a range of settings.

For more information about anything in this article, visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/ children-young-people-and-families

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 11

Breast screening tests are discreet and confidential

Breast & cervical cancer screening

Screening can detec ta wide range of cond itions

Make sure you benefit from the free NHS screening programmes for early detection of a range of serious conditions

E

ach year screening tests are used by health professionals to identify a range of serious health conditions, such as breast, bowel and cervical cancer and diabetic eye disease.

Get with the programme

Bath & North East Somerset Council & Public Health England are urging more people to attend their routine screening appointments. “The NHS screening programmes have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from diseases such as breast and cervical cancer,” says Dr Bruce Laurence, Director of Public Health at B&NES Council.

“Everyone is free to decide whether or not to have a screening test. Those who do can

12 | Connect | Spring 2015

really benefit, whether from increased peace of mind, further tests or treatment that could improve their health or save their lives.”

Early diagnosis

People are surviving longer from breast and cervical cancer thanks to advances in research, new treatments, earlier diagnosis, screening and cancer awareness.

Cervical cancer is largely preventable; however it still affects around 3,000 women in the UK each year. Screening can allow for almost all cervical cancers to be detected and treated before they have a chance to develop.

Yet the number of women attending for their cervical screening appointment, also known as a Smear Test, in B&NES is below the national average. We know that women aged

25 to 29 are least likely to have a Smear Test.

We want to encourage and see more younger women having a Smear Test particularly as the majority of cervical cancers are detected in women under 30 years of age.

One women in eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The NHS offers screening to save lives from breast cancer by finding breast cancers at an early stage when they are too small to see or feel. With advances in screening and treatment the good news is that survival rates (five years after diagnosis) have improved from around 50% 40 years ago to 80%. Yet one-in-four eligible women in BANES do not attend their routine breast cancer screening appointments. n

www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/public-health

Doctor’s Notes A number of screening programmes are available on the NHS but you need to be registered with a GP to get screening invitations that apply to you: • If you change your address or other contact details, remember to tell your GP practice to ensure you get the screening invitations that apply to you in future.

• If you are outside the age ranges of certain screening programmes, you may be able to still be screened.

• If you have previously refused or if you are overdue a cervical smear, simply contact your local GP practice to book an appointment.

• Normally, women are invited for cervical screening once by the age of 25, every three years between the ages of 25 and 49 and every five years between the ages of 50 and 64.

• Women between 47 and 73 years of age are automatically invited for breast screening every three years.

• Women not registered with a GP practice, or prefer not to have screening at their local surgery, can have their cervical screening test at a Well Woman Clinic or Contraception and Sexual Health CaSH Clinic.

The Family Planning Association has an online postcode finder to help you find your nearest clinic at www.fpa.org.uk/findaclinic

Health screening: your questions answered What is screening?

Screening is a way of checking people who seem healthy using a test to see if they may be at increased risk of a disease or condition, such as cancer.

What are the benefits of screening?

Screening does not prevent you from developing a disease or condition such as cancer. Screening will help catch and treat serious conditions sooner and save more lives. It also means that if you do have a condition, you’ll be guided

The NHS breast screen programme has already saved women’s lives

Did you know?

Other screening tests are available as part of the NHS Screening Programme: n To detect cases of bowel cancer sooner, men and women aged 60-74 are automatically sent a test kit for screening through the post every two years. n Screening is an effective way of detecting diabetic retinopathy (serious eye condition with a risk of sight loss) as early as possible. All people aged 12 and over with diabetes (type 1 and 2) are offered annual screening appointments. n The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme is for men aged 65. It involves a quick pain-free scan of your abdomen using ultrasound to check that the main artery from your heart is healthy. n Antenatal and newborn screening – a range of routine tests are offered to assess the health of babies and pick up any rare problems early.

through the process of diagnosis and treatment.

How do I get invited to screening tests?

If you’re registered with a GP, you’ll automatically receive invitations for relevant screening tests through your life.

What happens if my test results show I have a problem?

If your screening test indicates an increased risk of disease, then you will be offered expert information, further tests and/or treatment.

What if I don’t want screening?

You don’t have to have the screening tests which are offered to you and everyone should understand the potential risks and benefits of screening and make an informed decision.

You can go to www.nhs/livewell/ screening for more information.

Register with your local GP to get auomatic screening invitations

Find out more If you have any further questions about the NHS Screening Programmes, please ask your GP or Practice Nurse.

Alternatively you can visit

www.nhs.uk/livewell/screening

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 13

SEND is reaching out to a wider audience to offer support and care for families

SENDing a strong message The Parent Partnership Service has changed its name and continues to do great work – reaching more families than ever

T

he Parent Partnership Service (PPS) is now called Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Partnership Service.

Jackie Fielder, Family Information and SEND Partnership Service Manager, tells us what prompted the name change, and how it reflects a different approach in the way support is offered to children and young people with SEND.

Why the change of name?

Changes in legislation, which came into force towards the end of last year, have created a shift in emphasis in the way we help families with children and young people with SEND. Whereas before, the PPS was only required to provide impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers, now we have to provide that to children and young people as well.

Also, the service we offer has been widened to include not only Education but Health and Social Care as well, and the age limit has been increased to 25. The process has also changed and is now more face-toface, meaning that families and the professionals meet together to agree the best outcomes for children and young people.

How can SEND Partnership Service help families?

We enable families to communicate with the professionals, and we guide them

14 | Connect | Spring 2015

through the whole process, from helping a family prepare for a meeting to getting the best outcomes for their children. And we have a range of online resources. Our aim is to empower families and to give them the strategies to support themselves.

How do the changes affect children and young people?

Now they can contact us as well, rather than the approach always being made by their parents or carers. The new legislation has put the emphasis on supporting children and young people, and putting them at the heart of the process.

How do you work as a team?

We have a lead caseworker, two part-time caseworkers, an administrator and a team of volunteers. All of the case workers go through rigorous legal training and the volunteers are DBS checked and follow a similar training programme.

How can people get in touch with SEND Partnership Service?

Anyone who needs advice, information or support can find out more through our website, or by emailing, calling our helpline or texting us (details below). People often come to us via other agencies or professionals – perhaps a GP – who might give a parent, child or young person our details. And of course we have strong links

with the Family Information Service (FIS).

It’s all about working together to provide help and support to children and young people and their families.

How do the changes affect their parents and carers?

With a more holistic approach, the services are more joined up and the family needs to tell their story only once, rather than telling it to a number of agencies. And parents tell us it’s great. Here are a few of the comments we’ve had: ‘I found myself in a new situation with no idea how to deal with it and the service provided a lifeline.’ and ‘I have found you immensely helpful and sympathetic – thank you!’ So parents are already seeing the benefits of the new way of doing things. n

Find out more For more information on SEND Partnership Service, visit www.bathnes.gov. uk/sps or email send_ partnershipservice@bathnes.gov. uk. You can also call the Helpline on 01225 394382 from Monday to Thursday 10am-3pm during term time or text 07530 263401.

www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/children-young-people-and-families

What else is out there for families?

The Family Information Service (FIS) is still around and still doing the great job it has always done. FIS helps all families with children and young people, so it is often the first port of call when the need arises. Online, we have The Rainbow Resource (see right) and 1 Big Database (see box below).

From childcare to benefits, get online for great advice

The Rainbow Resource An online resource with specific information for families with children and young people with a disability, Special Educational Needs, or other additional need, up to the age of 25. It provides: n Information about how organisations and activity groups will meet your child or young person’s needs

1Big Database

n Information about support for your family and to access it

At your fingertips: the online family information directory of services for children, young people and families

n Details of local leisure activities, Holiday Playschemes Out of School Clubs, community organisations and services

If, as your child grows older, you are faced with problems and issues you need help with www.1bigdatabase.org.uk would be a good place to start.

If you still can’t find what you need, contact the Family Information Service (FIS) at

n Local and national helplines and support groups

www.bathnes.gov.uk/fis

Meeting the needs of all children and young people

n Information about transport and benefits For more information, visit www.rainbowresource.org.uk.

Here to help…

The Family Information Service (FIS) is here to help all families with children and young people up to the age of 20. For children and young people with additional needs, Special Educational Needs or a disability, the age limit goes up to 25. n Details of OFSTED-registered childcare providers, such as Nurseries, Childminders, Preschools, After School Clubs, Breakfast Clubs and Holiday Playschemes n Information about other groups, activities and leisure organisations n Details of where families can find support, and information about a range of affordable family activities n Information about safe and healthy lifestyle choices for children and young people n Internet resources with information about employment and careers All this information can be found at www.1bigdatabase.org.uk (see left). n The Information & Advice Service is part of FIS and provides individual appointments at a range of venues in your area n It can help you by looking at your entitlement to welfare benefits, tax credits, free school meals etc, access to debt and housing advice, provide information about registered childcare options, identify whether there may be any financial help with funding your childcare and more

Find out more Go to www.bathnes. gov.uk/FIS, email fis@ bathnes.gov.uk or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/bathnesfis Or call 01225 395343, Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 4.45pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 15

www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices

Tales of the riverbank

Exciting times for the Bath Quays Waterside project – the innovative scheme regenerating business and improving safety and flood defences along the Avon

P

lanning consent has been secured for the Council’s £6.22 million project to transform the riverside in Bath. The Bath Quays Waterside project will not only reduce flood risk for more than 100 homes and commercial properties but will also reconnect Bath with the River Avon.

Construction works are planned to start this summer and be complete by 2017.

At the scheme’s heart is a brand new riverside park along Green Park Road.

Promenades at different levels on the north bank will have open spaces for playing and picnicking. The towpath will be wider, and there will be new routes for cycling and walking. 150 new, native British trees (including willow, alder, field maple, birch and lime) will be planted to complete the new riverside environment.

Bath Quays Waterside is part of the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area which will create much-needed new modern office accommodation for the city. A masterplan for the Enterprise Area was published in November 2014 and sets out key sites and the opportunities for development which they could offer. Extending from Cornmarket in the east of the city along the river corridor as far as Locksbrook and Brassmill trading Estates to the west, Bath City Riverside is the best and probably only opportunity to accommodate the growth necessary to maintain Bath as a fantastic place to live, work and play.

16 | Connect | Spring 2015

One of the first exciting projects for the Enterprise Area is the design and construction of a new bridge. Bath Quays Bridge will be the first new crossing of the River Avon in Bath for over 100 years and will allow the fully connected development of the previously overlooked quayside district, Bath Quays, linking it to the City centre and opening up the new riverside leisure, cultural and commercial opportunities. Such is the importance of the bridge to the city that Bath

& North East Somerset Council is running an open, international competition to find just the right design. The designs will be judged by a specially appointed jury and a decision on the winning design is envisaged in late Summer 2015.

This investment will significantly enhance the riverside environment, creating better wildlife habitats, access and a more beautiful and enjoyable environment for local people and visitors to the city.

Take a look at the plan North Quay: New riverside park & landscape Stepping up The re-profiled north river bank will feature new open spaces

Urban spaces Naturally landscaped upper and lower promenades are perfect for cyclists and walkers

www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathcityriverside

A safer riverside

The Council has timed the Bath Quays Waterside work to coincide with important safety improvements along the river. Flood mitigation work will reduce the steepness of the river bank from Churchill Bridge to Midland Bridge to make that part of the riverside safer.

Other ongoing safety measures include: n Fencing along one kilometre of tow path from Green Park to Windsor Bridge Road n Fencing on sloping path leading from

Green Park Road to the river n New fencing between Thimble Mill and Churchill Bridge n Maintaining grab lines along the river n New signage at eight locations between Churchill Bridge and Windsor Bridge to alert users about how to stay safe on the river path n Highlighting the dangers of the river to freshers at both universities in September. n Working with students from City of Bath College on a new personal safety campaign called #GotYaBack for new students to the city.

n Alerting landowners along the river to

defective/missing lifesaving equipment Since 2011 the Council has spent in the region of £500,000 on river safety and plans to spend £150,000 on the river corridor in the next financial year. Vandalism and theft continue to be a big problem along the river.

Since 2011, the Council has had to replace 55 lifebuoys. Warning signs and safety fencing have also been maliciously damaged. The Council is now working with Avon Fire and Rescue to develop tougher, vandal-proof cabinets for life-saving equipment. n

“Working with partners to improve safety along the River Avon”

A vandal proof lifebuoy cabinet

Find out more Go to www.bathnes. gov.uk/services/ bathcityriverside More safety measures are planned for the towpaths

Enter our competition to design a new bridge!

Children in Bath have the chance to create their own designs for an inspirational bridge in the format of a bridge game card.

You can download an entry card from the B&NES website or collect one from libraries in Bath, Keynsham, Radstock and Midsomer Norton.

When you’ve drawn your bridge, give it a name and a score for beauty, use, strength, long lasting and length. You can even add some fascinating facts if you like!

Once you have designed your Bridge game card, you can: n Scan and email it to development_regeneration@ bathnes.gov.uk

n Hand in your finished design at your local library n Send it by post to: Bath Bridge Game Design Competition, Project Delivery Team, Lewis House, Manvers Street, BA1 1JG The closing date for entries is May 29 2015.

The same jury team for the Bath Quays Bridge design competition will also judge the entries to this competition and and all the winners’ designs will be made into a special edition pack of Bath Bridge Card Game.

For more Bath Quays Bridge and Card Game info: www.bathnes. gov.uk/bathquaysbridge

Sharpen your pencils and your imagination!

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 17

Sirona is taking it personally Janet Rowse explains Sirona’s commitment to the delivery of care with compassion

S

ince Sirona was founded in October 2011, I have asked all staff who work for us to take personally the commitment we make to deliver care with compassion; to understand that the contact we have with people – those who use our services, their carers, our colleagues and our partners – makes a difference and to make that difference a positive one.

Earlier this year, staff from many of our service areas came together as a group to describe what they thought this meant for staff on a day-to-day basis. It was clear

that most people had chosen to work in health and social care because they wanted to make a difference to the people they came in contact with on a day-to-day basis; this meant they wanted people to feel welcome, valued, supported and safe whenever they are in contact with Sirona.

As a result, we now have standards of behaviour developed by the group that we are applying to everyone working in Sirona; you deserve the best possible service from us and these are the behaviours you can expect when you are in our care. n

Janet Rowse, Chief Executive

“We now have standards of behaviour developed by the group that we are applying to everyone working in Sirona” Janet Rowse, Chief Executive, Sirona

Find out more www.sirona-cic.org.uk/takingitpersonally Taking It Personally www.bathnes.gov.uk | 19

Delivering services

News in brief

Sirona aims to improve its services by listening to the people that matter… and that’s you!

Sirona’s James Hardman

Sirona offers a Text-a-Nurse service

Y

oung people can Text-a-Nurse, ask a question on Facebook or request help via Twitter as Sirona embraces technology… but is it what they want? New research shows that it is.

James Hardman, an administrator with Sirona, has been surveying pupils at schools across Bath and North East Somerset as part of a project encouraging people to tell the not-for-profit social enterprise their experience of using the service. The initiative is part of a wider scheme which has seen staff from Sirona asking service users a series of questions to get a live picture of how the service is operating.

Katherine Horne, Communications and Engagement Lead at Sirona, said: “We believe strongly in putting service users at the heart of everything we do and this means we need to listen to what they tell us about their experiences and how they want services delivered. Traditionally, we ask service users about their experience some time after their

Taking It Personally 20 | Connect | Spring 2015

James chats with local pupils

interaction with us. The aim of this new initiative is to capture an experience ‘in the moment’ which is when we are more likely to hear what it is really like. We say that we will measure our success by the experiences that people have of our services and capturing this information will be a key part of our performance management.”

James was enlisted to help to include the younger generation and visited schools with the school nurses to get feedback. He said: “The aim was to gain an insight into how school children viewed health and the direction in which they would like future developments to go. Questions related to where they would go for further health information, how often they would do so and where they thought the best place was.

There was a clear tendency for young people to choose technology based sources if they were available.”

In fact nine out of 10 pupils said everything was done to make them feel

confident in health services currently available which demonstrates the quality of service. With young people only able to legally access Facebook over the age of 13, James found a high proportion of teenagers wanted text messages, emails or leaflets.

Sirona already offers their Text-a-Nurse service for young people with each school in B&NES having its own text number which is circulated to its pupils.

Sue Anderson, Head of School Nursing for Sirona, said: “The school nursing team has been issued with new smartphones and the work by James shows just how much this service is valued by young people. They can easily make contact with a nurse; it has proved successful as it builds a relationship between the nurse and the young person before they meet and confidentiality is very important in any service for young people.”

Sirona can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/Sironacareandhealth or on Twitter @sironacic n

Safe and sound

There’s a new range of services available at Paulton Memorial Hospital

G

randmother Shirley Rose was one of the first patients to be seen by a new service offered at Paulton Memorial Hospital.

The 73-year-old from Midsomer Norton developed post-polio syndrome after Shirley Rose contracting the disease as a child. It affects her nerve ends and causes pain, fatigue and weakness.

But instead of having to visit an acute hospital to be assessed, she was able to be seen at Paulton thanks to Sirona’s Orthopaedic Interface Service (OIS). She was seen by GP specialist Dr Julian Widdowson, a consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine, and orthopaedic physiotherapist specialists who are now running the new Ultrasound Service at her local hospital in Paulton.

“The service is brilliant. It’s good to put

services into the communities,” said Shirley. Sarah Ferguson, orthopaedic physiotherapy specialist, says: “The Orthopaedic Interface Service (OIS) is a primary care service with clinics in the community. The clinical team all have expertise and extra training in musculoskeletal medicine and orthopaedics.”

The main OIS service has been running for over 10 years but this latest addition of ultrasound diagnostic investigations for joint, muscle and tendon problems will make a big difference to the range of services on offer – all thanks to the Paulton League of Friends who funded the ultrasound machine.

“The ultrasound means we are able to find and treat a wider range of musculoskeletal problems including areas such as tendon damage in the shoulder; it will also help with the placement of steroid injections,

for example, in the shoulder or foot,” she continues. “It means we are a one-stop shop.

People who needed ultrasound investigations previously had to go to the RUH in Bath; now we can do these at Paulton. We also run a monthly clinic with orthopaedic consultants from the RUH and monthly foot clinics where a specialist podiatrist, physiotherapist and GP assess and treat musculo-skeletal foot problems. This is another step towards providing joined-up services locally for the benefit of our communities.

The OIS was one of the first community orthopaedic services to be set up in the country. It is a service that manages both simple and complicated conditions, and has excellent links to specialist hospital services so that patients who need surgery can be referred for expert advice and treatment easily.

The service is available to adults registered with a Bath and North-East Somerset GP n

Putting key services into local hospitals

Taking It Personally www.bathnes.gov.uk | 21

Quit while you’re ahead Now’s the time to go smoke-free! Sirona’s Stop Smoking Service in B&NES offers expert advice and support to all

Case study 1

A Keynsham couple say the support they have received from local experts has given them the extra push they needed to finally kick the habit.

Dementia care assistant Sian Chapman and her partner Roger Button, a machine operator, have been tackling their 20-a-day habits together with the help of Sirona’s Stop Smoking Service.

The pair have been to weekly drop-in sessions held by the team at Keynsham Health Centre on Wednesday evenings and have been delighted with the help and encouragement they’ve received.

Sian, 40, said they had seen a poster for the free service at her GP surgery and decided then and there they would try to stop smoking. She said: “I was totally fed up with it – fed up with the smell, spending money on it, being out of breath. For Roger it was more for health reasons as he is diabetic and he’d tried to give up before.”

After smoking for more than 20 years it was no easy task to quit but they said talking to the Sirona team each week has been invaluable and both began taking Champix tablets.

Sian said: “Our experiences have been very different but it has helped that Roger has given up at the same time. We’ve both supported each other.

“For me it was about changing my daily habits. First thing in the morning I would wake up, have a cup of tea and a cigarette but now I’ve changed that routine, which has really helped me.

I’ve also had lots of encouragement from my family and found that you get a lot of encouragement from people who have given up themselves.”

Roger, 45, says he tried to give up on his own before without success but going to the clinic each week without fail has helped him finally stop – and freed up his break times at work so he can relax and enjoy his lunch instead of going outside to smoke.

The advantages of not smoking became clear right away, said Sian.

“The house doesn’t smell of smoke any more. I have dogs and the route I walk is quite hilly but now I don’t get out of breath. After I went to the clinic I began saving my cigarette money to make home improvements. Roger says

Case study 2 Grandmother Carol Barnes from Bath is celebrating her first 12 months without a cigarette after 50 years! A teenager when she first Carol Barnes took it up, Carole never believed she could quit.

But with the support of Sirona’s Stop Smoking Service team, the former Bath University worker lit up for the last time at the end of January

Taking It Personally 22 | Connect | Spring 2015

2014. The kick Carol needed to tackle her habit was when a healthy family member suffered a mild heart attack.

A friend had recently quit through a Sirona programme and Carol decided to attend the weekly drop-in session at St Martin’s Hospital in Bath.

One of the biggest health benefits is the disappearance of a persistent cough that plagued her and kept husband Ken awake at night. “My family thinks the fact I’ve given up is absolutely marvellous.”

Sian and Roger with monitors used to check carbon monoxide levels he feels better all round and is determined to stay smoke-free.

“To anyone thinking about giving up, I would say that until you actually stop, you don’t realise how unhealthy you are and your body starts repairing itself.

There are lots of reasons to stop – better health, no more running outside in the cold to have a cigarette, extra money and you don’t smell of smoke.”

Sirona’s Stop Smoking service runs drop-in clinics across the whole B&NES region. To find your nearest clinic, call 01225 831852 or visit www.sirona-cic. org.uk/stop-smoking-service/

Get in touch

Please call the Sirona Stop Smoking Service for a chat with a specialist advisor. From cutting down gradually and harm reduction, to nicotine replacement therapy and medication on prescription, we are here to help you when you give up smoking.

Remember you’re four times more likely to quit with our support! Call us now on 01225 831852, email healthylifestyleservice@sironacic.org.uk or go online to Sirona’s Healthy Lifestyles page at www. sirona-cic.org.uk

www.bathnes.gov.uk/mycaremysupport

Offering a helping hand

What the new Care Act can do for you

Make sure you and your loved ones benefit from the new Care Act The Care Act represents the most significant reform of care and support in more than 60 years, putting people and their carers in control of their care and support. For the first time, the Act will put a limit on the amount anyone will have to pay towards the costs of their care. When you or your family members or friends need extra care and support, how do you find out who pays for what, what services you can use and what standards you should expect? The Act affects everyone who needs extra support now or in the future and the people who care for them.

It offers new opportunities to help us all live healthier and more independent lives.

What is the Care Act?

In Bath and North East Somerset, the requirements of the Care Act reflect the way we have been working for some time.

From 1 April 2015, in accordance with the Care Act, we will be: n Providing care and support to everyone who meets a nationally agreed level of need. n Improving the way we tell you about the care and support that is available in Bath and North East Somerset. n Offering you a wider range of ways to help you meet the costs of care. Visit

www.bathnes.gov.uk/my-care-my-support to find out more. n Reaching out to everyone who looks after or ‘cares for’ someone else and encouraging them to get in touch. We need to ensure you feel supported to care for someone else regardless of whether the person you look after receives care and support from us.

How does this affect you?

Are you already receiving care and support? Please talk to the people working with you about how the changes could benefit you. The intention is that if you are already receiving services, you will not be worse off as a result of the changes.

Do you look after someone else? ‘Looking after’ can mean anything from helping someone with washing, dressing or shopping to keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious. If this sounds like something you are doing, please visit

www.banescarerscentre.org.uk to find out more about the support that is available locally for people providing care and support and please encourage any ‘carers’ you know to get in touch.

If you have any questions about how the Care Act affects you, or want to find some information for a relative or friend about care and support, please visit www.bathnes. gov.uk/my-care-my-support. Please give us your comments on an online feedback form as we are working to make this area of the website as user-friendly as possible.

Looking ahead

Keep an eye on the ‘News’ pages of www.bathnes.gov.uk for updates on new developments in care and support in Bath & North East Somerset. This will include the new ‘care accounts’ in 2016 which will enable you to be able to register with us to keep track of your care and support costs until we take them over. n

“The new Care Act affects everyone who needs extra support… and the people who care for them” www.bathnes.gov.uk | 23

waste

Recycling matters

How we think about the value of what we throw away each day can make a real difference when it comes to using kerbside recycling facilites

W

e are all used to thinking of things we throw away as rubbish which no longer has a value. But lots of items that could be recycled are still being thrown away in our black sacks. Every can you throw into your rubbish bag instead of your green box has missed an opportunity to become another can, or even part of an airplane.

Raw materials are not infinite and as the demand for these resources grows, we all need to understand that these items (however small) have a value – the glass, cans, plastic, paper and everything else you recycle are all sold for different amounts per tonne.

What happens locally?

Your recycling is collected by our contractor Kier who take everything they collect in your green box and blue bag to their depot in Keynsham. They bulk up each material separately, and then sell these to different factories to be made into new products.

Materials are even more valuable if they are good quality – in recycling this really

24 | Connect | Spring 2015

means the items we can collect not getting mixed up with those we can’t currently recycle. Sorting your materials in your box really helps us with this, and our crews sort again as they put the items into the different containers on the trucks. With your help they pick up less of the things we can’t collect for recycling such as black plastic and polystyrene. Well sorted green boxes mean that collection crews can move on quicker and so reduce traffic hold ups.

The value of mobile phones

A really good example of a valuable product is a mobile phone. There are already more than 5.6 billion mobiles in the world, and by 2017 mobile phones look set to outnumber people on the planet. Mobile phones contain hundreds of components and more than 40 different chemical elements. These include copper in the wiring, tin in the solder and gold in the circuit boards which are all materials

that can be re-used. It’s estimated that 85 million phones are just discarded in drawers in homes – and the value of the precious metals in them exceeds £150 million (source: Friends of the Earth). That’s a huge amount of potentially recyclable material.

Recycling these phones would save resources and energy. If electrical items end up in landfill, hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and water contamination, so you can see how important it is to make sure your mobile doesn’t end up as rubbish.

Make sure you recycle them in your green box or better still, donate working phones to charities that can re-use them.

There is an ever increasing range of high quality products made in the UK from the items you put in your green box.

To find out more information about what happens to items you recycle, you can go online to www.recyclenow.com n

www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices

Home composting is easy and saves money!

Get composting this spring and save a little more!

a by-product – good news for the planet!

Bath & North East Somerset Council are offering discounted compost bins in partnership with www.getcomposting. com. From 1 April 2015, they have a variety of compost bins and other accessories plus a ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’ offer – why not team up with a friend or neighbour?

Prices start around £17.98 plus delivery for a 220-litre compost bin. To find out more, visit www.getcomposting.com and enter your postcode or call on 0844 571 4444.

For more ideas to make your garden greener, take a look at our green garden display in central Bath from 2-22 May. See our website to confirm location details. We also have a series of composting road shows with the composting bins on display and advice from our Waste Campaigns Officers:

One of the best ways you can help the planet is to compost at home. You will reduce your waste and can save money too, as it gives you a free supply of compost to help your garden thrive. Did you know that composting at home for just one year can Composting Road Shows Sat 14 March save global warming gases equivalent to the 10-2pm Conygre Hall, Timsbury CO2 your kettle produces annually, or your washing machine in three (Seedy swap event) Fri 24 April months?

11-2pm Morrisons, Bath When waste is sent to Wed 29 April landfill, air cannot get to the 11-3pm Tesco, Keynsham organic matter. As it breaks Sat 2 May down, it creates methane, 9-1pm M SN Farmers a damaging greenhouse gas.

Market When waste is composted Fri 8 May above ground, oxygen allows 11-3pm G reen Park it to decompose aerobically be can s Plastic bottle Station, Bath with hardly any methane as re-used in the garden

Sat 9 May

9-1pm K eynsham Farmers Market Fri 29 May

11-3pm Sainsbury’s, Odd Down For full details of our events and road shows, see the Campaigns and road shows page on our website.

New garden waste collection fees

From 1 April 2015 collection charges for fortnightly garden waste collection service are as follows: n Wheeled bin hire (140 or 240 litres): £39.50 per bin per year, plus £2.75 initial delivery charge for either size bin n Garden waste sacks (80 litres): £2.45 each To hire a bin or buy sacks, contact Council Connect or alternatively, see the list of local sack stockists on our website. You can also take your garden waste for free to our Recycling Centres. n

Find out more If you have questions about anything in this article, visit to our website for even more information: www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices

News round up Come along to our Real Nappy Week events and you could win a £50 nappy voucher

enter a prize draw to win a £50 voucher for their choice of re-usable nappies.

For Real Nappy Week, Bath Calling all PAT testers and & North East Somerset people with electrical skills Council will hold two to share events where new and We are exploring opportunities expectant parents can to run some free electrical repair find out more about using workshops called Restart parties re-usable nappies: for residents. n Wednesday 22 April A Restart Party is Real Nappy Wee k 10am-11.30am Percy a free community event where Community Centre, New King volunteers help people fix their Street, Bath BA1 2BN own broken electricals and electronics, n Friday 24 April 10am-11.30am to save them from waste.

Community@67 Community Centre, We will be seeking volunteers and Queens Road, Keynsham BS31 2NW qualified PAT testers to help share their The Council’s Campaigns Manager repair skills for small electrical items Sarah George has used them with her such as lap tops, mobile phones, iPods, children and she will bring her toddler and lamps. along to model them. Sarah will talk If you may be interested in getting about her experience of re-usable involved, please contact nappies including where to find cheap wastecampaigns@bathnes.gov.uk secondhand ones.

Free refreshments are provided and Next furniture sale children are very welcome. Everyone Our next secondhand furniture sale will who attends will have the chance to take place on Saturday 6 June 2015

from 10am-12 noon, at the old MoD building, next door to the Keynsham Recycling Centre, Pixash Lane, Keynsham BS31 1TP. At our last furniture sale in February we had a record number of more than 220 people attending our sale, all looking for bargains.

All secondhand furniture on sale has been brought to our Recycling Centres by residents, and if in good condition saved for our sales. All items must be paid for in cash and taken away during the sale.

Grab a bargain at our furniture sale in June

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 25

Bath News & Media Group

waste Food waste in plastic sacks is an easy target for scavenging gulls

How to prepare for the return of the gulls With just a few simple strategies we can all help to reduce the problem of urban gulls

T

he majority of urban gulls return to the Bath area about now. There are over 1,000 pairs of breeding gulls in Bath and North East Somerset and they are at their most aggressive and noisy during July and August. This is the time they are protecting and feeding their chicks. This year we want to encourage everyone to take early action to reduce the problems they can cause with street mess and noise.

Gulls are attracted to areas where there is a plentiful food source and where there are attractive nesting sites, so there are things we can all do to help tackle this problem at home and at work.

What has the Council achieved so far?

We have done extensive door knocking and issued re-usable canvas type ‘gull resistant’ rubbish bags to nearly 5,000 households in Bath, where storage is a problem or there are particular problems with litter.

Residents use these bags to contain their black plastic rubbish sacks. These have been successful in reducing scavenging by gulls and have been popular with residents.

If you are not living in a street where we have issued these, then we would advise you to buy a normal lidded plastic or metal dustbin to put your black sacks in.

Residents can also download our ‘Don’t Feed the Gulls’ advice leaflet or pick one up at our One-Stop Shops.

As part of our ‘Please Don’t Feed The Gulls’ campaign last year, we put posters on

26 | Connect | Spring 2015

many litter bins in the city urging visitors not to feed the gulls – with the message in English, French and Mandarin.

Our officers visited Bath businesses last autumn to give advice leaflets and posters. You can download these from www.bathnes.gov.uk/dontfeedthegulls Businesses have also been encouraged to use refuse bins instead of bags or business gull-resistant sacks for their waste and to ensure they put out their waste at the correct collection times.

For the first time, we have offered a nest removal/egg replacement service to commercial premises other than those with easily accessible roofs. We hope to build on this service this year.

Developers and architects locally can use our helpful guide packed with practical advice to stop urban gulls nesting on your roof. Getting the design of a roof right at the outset can prevent future problems.

This practical guide is available from www.bathnes.gov.uk/dontfeedthegulls

What can you do?

If you do one thing… please recycle your food waste. The most practical and effective action you can take is to use your recycling and rubbish collection services correctly, especially your food waste recycling collection. Remember to lock your bin by pulling the handle forward firmly.

By putting all the waste foodstuffs you dispose of into your lockable food bin, you will reduce the food supply to gulls and other scavenging animals in the city. n

Top tips n Don’t put food waste in rubbish sacks as gulls will rip these open – use your food waste bin instead.

Don’t have one? Contact Council Connect on councilconnect@ bathnes.gov.uk or 01225 394041. n Buy a dustbin and use it n Put out recycling and rubbish by 7am on collection day, or after 8pm the night before. The closer to 7am the better, leaving less scavenging time n Don’t feed birds in parks, open spaces or the street n If you have a nest on your roof call Pest Control Service, 01225 396007. They can assess your home, and if suitable, can offer you ‘dummy’ eggs at cost price n Make sure you use the litter and recycling bins provided when out and about in the city

Find out more

To report a gull incident: www.bathnes.gov.uk/ dontfeedthegulls Twitter @ccbathnes or www.bathnes.gov.uk/reportit

www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices

A day in the life of a street cleaner

Kelvin Lawton has worked in factories for most of his life. Here he tells us why he’s happy to be doing a job that lets him work outside How long have you been with the Council?

I’ve done this for about five-and-a-half years now. Before that I worked at a factory in Melksham.

What drew you to this job?

I’d been in factory work all my life and I wanted to do something different.

I also wanted to work outside, so when an opportunity came up, I took it.

How would you describe a typical day at work?

The first thing I do is to go round checking the bins and emptying them, then it’s picking up litter and sweeping up cigarette ends. We all have our own routes, but you might be called to a different street where there’s a problem – such as street mess from black bags being split open because there might be food inside. The gulls rip the bags to shreds – they’re worse than rats and foxes.

Which areas do you cover?

I’m in the city centre. The department has three operational areas: Inner and Outer City and Districts. The Outer city team does the residential areas and the District team does the rural areas. All the teams work slightly differently, but they all have the same aim, that is to keep Bath & North East Somerset as clean as possible. They’re dropped off in the morning, and brought back in at the end of the shift.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

Interacting with the public, especially the tourists. They always ask us questions about the city, and we can usually answer most of them. It’s also nice when people come up and thank you for doing a good job.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Not really. Because I’ve worked inside all my life, I love being outside all the time.

And you’ve got freedom. If you see a mess on a street that isn’t on your route, you can go and clean it up. I love the work – every

day is different. You have your off-days of course, but that’s the same in any job. You can’t be miserable though – the other guys won’t let you!

Kelvin swapped factory shifts for a job outdoors

Does Bath throw up any challenges, as an historic city?

I think it’s the same as most cities, but Bath has such a lot of tourists.

We just try to keep it as tidy as possible – and to a very high standard!

What’s it like when the weather’s bad?

It’s okay because we’ve all got the kit. The Council provides jackets, leggings, gloves – all the wet gear. And if it’s really lashing down, you can shelter until it blows over.

Do you work as part of a team?

There are 11 of us and we usually work on our own, but we can team up for bigger jobs. At the start of the shift, we all arrive early so we can sit down and have a cup of tea and a chat before we head out. If there are problems on any of the routes we can help each other. It’s a very friendly bunch.

What are the worst things you have to deal with?

Probably cleaning up sick and dog mess – you deal with that every day and it’s just part of the job. You occasionally come across needles, where people have been using drugs. Five of us have been trained to deal with that, because you’re not allowed to touch them unless you’ve had the specific training.

Any advice for someone lookng for this kind of work?

The best thing would be to look on the website – you can get all the information and apply online. Also agency work is a good route. A lot of our staff used to be agency workers and the Council has taken

them on because they’ve done a good job. And they offer training in all aspects of the work, for example, weedspraying, graffiti-removal, all the different machines we use.

How do you think your job makes life better for people?

If you come into the city centre and it’s clean and tidy, there’s a much better atmosphere. And if people don’t realise it’s ever been any other way, then you’ve done a good job. If you go unnoticed, you know you’re doing your job properly!

What do you do in your spare time?

I love my garden and my allotment where I grow all my own fruit and veg. I also have a new grandson – he’s only a few months old so he takes up a lot of my time! n

Find out more For more information on the work done by Kelvin and his teammates, visit the Litter, street care and cleaning pages on our website.

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 27

Let’s plan community services together At some point in our lives, all of us will receive some kind of care outside hospital. These community health and social care services are provided by a range of organisations and overseen by Bath & North East Somerset Council and NHS BaNES Clinical Commissioning Group working together.

We want to make the way these services are organised and delivered even better in our area which is why we have launched your care, your way – a review of community health and care services.

It is important that we hear from as many people as possible before we start to change things. It’s only with your feedback and your vision that we can design and commission services that will help you, and your loved ones, to live healthier and happier lives.

28 | Connect | Spring 2015

What are community services?

Community services are health and care services that are delivered at a person’s home or in nearby local care settings. It’s a very big part of what the NHS and the Council does and it includes: n W orking with new mums to ensure their child gets the best start in life, such as providing a health visitor n Helping people to avoid unnecessary hospital stays, such as district nurses

n H elping children develop to full potential in their early years, such as speech and language therapy n Helping people manage their own care and support needs with personal budgets and direct payments n Giving specialist care for specific health conditions, such as diabetes nurses n Supporting people to live independently for as long as possible, such as the falls prevention team

n P rolonging independence with voluntary, community and housing-related support, such as the independent living service n Helping people to readjust to daily life following a change in their health or a stay in hospital, such as physiotherapists or reablement services n Giving people the best quality of life at the end of their life, such as palliative care nurse

What do you think? n Do you or a loved one receive care at home or in the local community? n What’s working well at the moment? n How could we make things better or easier for you? n Are there any services which you wish were available closer to home?

Please do share your experiences, ideas and opinions with us so that we can make these services even better for you, your family and your friends.

Come to a your care, your way event or invite us to your local community group

Write to us at… your care, your way, BaNES CCG, St. Martin’s Hospital, Clara Cross Lane, Bath, BA2 5RP

Email us at… yourcare@bathnes.gov.uk

Engage on Twitter… #ycywbanes

Call us on…

01225 396512

Share your ideas… www.facebook.com/yourcareyourway

www.yourcareyourway.org www.bathnes.gov.uk | 29

www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices

Blue badge scheme

The Blue Badge Scheme is an important service for people with severe mobility problems that enables them to park close to where they need to go

T

he Blue Badge scheme in B&NES is available to provide a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems, so they can park close to where they need to go. It is available to individuals and organisations. Here is our handy guide to making a successful application.

The scheme is designed to help people with mobility proble ms

10 | Connect | Autumn 2014

Who qualifies?

Automatic

n You are registered blind n You receive War Pensioners’

Mobility Supplement n You receive the higher rate of the

mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) n You receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and you scored at least eight points in relation to the ‘moving around’ activity in the PIP assessment n You have been awarded a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8).

You have also been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which means you can’t walk or find walking very difficult.

Discretionary

n You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you can’t walk or find walking very difficult n You have severe upper limb disabilities in both arms, drive a motor vehicle and have difficulty using parking meters n You are applying on behalf of a child over two with a permanent and substantial disability which means they can’t walk or find walking very difficult n You are applying on behalf of a child under three with a medical condition that requires them to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment or transporting bulky medical equipment.

www.bathnes.gov.uk/transport

The scheme is available for individuals and organisations

What happens next?

For the discretionary award an assessment will be carried out on the basis of your disability and how it affects your mobility.

You may be required to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment which is carried out on behalf of the Council by Sirona. The assessors are fully qualified physiotherapists trained in this type of assessment. If you are required to attend an assessment we will inform you in writing.

If you cannot attend, you will need to contact us to change the date.

Quick online eligibility check: bluebadge. direct.gov.uk/directgovcheck.html

How can I apply?

n Download the online form to print and

fill in by hand www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/ default/files/blue_badge_application_ form.pdf n Apply online www.gov.uk/apply-bluebadge n Call 01225 477133 to request a postal copy n Collect a form at a B&NES One-Stop Shop or complete an application online using a public PC. The One-Stop Shops can also take your photograph for you, copy and certify your documents www.bathnes.gov.uk/contact-us/ bath-one-stop-shop

Park closer to your destination Where can I park?

A Blue Badge will help you park closer to your destination, whether as a passenger or driver. However, the badge is only intended for on-street parking.

1 Free parking with no time limit

n On street parking in Pay and Display zones where time is restricted for non Blue Badge holders n Advisory disabled bays n Resident and business permitted parking zones n Bath Sports and Leisure Centre car park within all bays n With the exception of the car parks in Bath itself (where you will need to purchase parking time), all other car parks run by B&NES are free for badge holders n Bath Park and Ride car parks

2 Free parking but time limited

n Single and double yellow lines where no loading ban applies (maximum stay of three hours).

Privately-run car parks like those provided by local authorities, hospitals or supermarkets operate under different rules, so you cannot assume you have

the same blue badge rights in these locations. Check information boards in car parks for specific regulations.

How do I use the badge?

Your badge must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle. Where there is a maximum parking limit, you will also need to display the time clock, set to the time you leave your vehicle.

Looking to the future

B&NES’ Parking Services are fully committed to providing better facilities for Blue Badge holders: including the installation of more disabled bays at Keynsham Leisure Centre, the recent removal of the taxi bay on Milsom Street to increase the number of Blue Badge spaces and the resurfacing of Broad Street Car Park to improve the access to disabled bays in that location.

Some companies offer a service to apply for a Blue Badge on your behalf. Please avoid them as they demand unnecessary large fees upfront. Contact us with any questions or request for help with your application, before paying for any services.

How long is the process?

Once the info is collated, we will contact you for a payment of £10 to cover cost of the badge. Once payment is received, you should receive your badge within 7-10 days.

What if my application is refused?

If you are unsuccessful, we will write to you to explain why, and enclose a copy of the appeals process. For more information on the scheme, please go to: www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/parkingand-travel/accessible-parking/bluebadge n

Blue Badge fraud clampdown The Badge can only be used for the benefit of the holder and they have to be travelling in or parking the vehicle at the time: it cannot be used by anyone else, even if they are running errands for the holder.

B&NES takes this matter very seriously. A Blue Badge Fraud Investigator works alongside our Senior Civil Enforcement Officers who have the power to seize badges that are misused. The maximum fine that can be handed out for this offence is £1,000, plus costs and victim surcharges.

Find out more For further information on Blue Badges or how to apply for one, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/ services/parking-andtravel/accessible-parking/ blue-badge or call us direct at Parking Services on 01225 477133.

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 31

Making it Real for health & social care Here is your chance to take part in an exciting new health & social care initiative in B&NES

B

ath & North East Somerset Council and the NHS Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have jointly agreed to a ‘Make it Real’ initiative for people who use health and social care services in the area.

Making it Real is a set of ‘progress markers’ written by people who use services and their families, that can help an organisation to check how they are moving forward with their transformation of adult social care. The progress markers are a series of ‘first-person’ statements which express what people who use services and carers would expect to see and experience if support services were truly personalised.

These markers include statements like ‘I have access to easy to understand information about care and support which

is consistent, accurate, accessible and up to date’ and ‘I can decide the kind of support I need and when, where and how to receive it.’ It is also a clear way of letting others know how they are doing – especially their local community and the people they serve.

The Council and CCG will be working towards developing a Making it Real Implementation Group and for this group to be co-chaired by a service user or carer.

This Group will review current progress against the Markers for Change and identify the gaps and challenges to be overcome. The top three challenges will then go into the first Making it Real action plan for the area.

This is where you can get involved! We would like to hear from people who have used health and social care services as well as their families/carers if they would like to

know some more about Making it Real and being a part of the Implementation Group.

Please contact Wendy Sharman, Transformation and Strategic Planning Manager on 01225 477922 or email wendy_sharman@bathnes.gov.uk for more information. n

Find out more If you want to know more about the Making it Real initiative and the list of markers for change, you can go online to: www.thinklocalactpersonal.org. uk/Browse/mir

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 33

Two Services from your Council’s

Public Protection Team

To find a local business approved by trading standards visit:

www.buywithconfidence

Services Directory Do you need some information about a Council-run service?

Help is at hand with this useful guide...

To be put through to someone who can help, call the Council switchboard on 01225 477000 or visit www.bathnes.gov.uk for further information

Council Connect n Bus Passes n Dog Warden Service n Fly Tipping n Garden Waste n Grass Cutting n Graffiti Removal nG ritting of Roads (except motorways)

n Libraries n Parks and Open Spaces nP avements and Road n n n n n n n

Maintenance Planning Enquiries Public Toilets Public Transport Recycling and Waste Road Faults and Potholes Road Safety Street Lighting

For all of the above services, contact Council Connect:

Twitter: @ccbathnes Telephone: 01225 394041 Email: councilconnect@ bathnes.gov.uk Text: 07797 806545 Monday to Friday 08.00 to 18.00 (except Wednesdays 09.30 to 18.00).

Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. At other times, for emergencies or dangerous incidents only, please phone 01225 477477.

34 | Connect | Spring 2015

Aa n Adoption and Fostering Placements, recruitment of adopters and support services. The team also provides counselling for adopted adults and support in accessing birth records.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/adoption T: 01225 394949 Google Search: Bathnes Fostering

Bb n Benefits: Housing and Council Tax Support Visit a One Stop Shop in Bath, Keynsham or Midsomer Norton, or alternatively, contact a Benefits Officer by phone or email.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/benefits T: 01225 477777 Google Search: Bathnes Benefits n Birth Registration Register a birth, which occurred in the district, at the Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW or The Hollies, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DT. W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/births T: 01225 477234 Google Search: Bathnes Births n Building Control Contact Building Control for help and advice about the building regulation process and any proposed building projects you have.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/buildingcontrol T: 01225 477517 Google Search: Bathnes Building Control

Cc n Cemeteries and Crematoriums Find out about Council-administered cemeteries when organising a funeral.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/cemeteries T: 01225 396020 Google Search: Bathnes Cemeteries n Children’s Centre Information Service The Service holds up-to-date information about all Ofsted-registered childcare, as well as information about working with children and family support.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/fis T: 01225 395343 Google Search: Bathnes Fis n Community Meals Service This service provides hot meals to those who have difficulty cooking for themselves.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/mealsonwheels T: 01225 394350 Google Search: Bathnes Community Meals n Council Tax Enquiries For account queries about your Council Tax bill, ranging from online payments to exemptions.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/counciltax T: 01225 477777 Google Search: Bathnes Council Tax n Curo Curo is the largest provider of affordable housing in the area and offers a range of high-quality care and support services. Contact us using the details below.

W: www.curo-group.co.uk T: 01225 366000 T: 01225 366111 (repairs) T: 0300 123 2468 (anti-social behaviour) E: hello@curo-group.co.uk (enquiries) E: repairs@curo-group.co.uk (repairs)

Dd n Death Registration Register a death, which has occurred in our district, at the Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW or at The Hollies High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DP. W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/deaths T: 01225 477234 Google Search: Bathnes Deaths n Disabled Car Users (Blue Badges) The UK-wide Blue Badge scheme provides parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/bluebadges T: 01225 477133 or 01225 477134 Google Search: Bathnes Blue Badges n Discovery Card Discovery Card holders receive discounts or free entry for numerous attractions in the area.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/discoverycard T: 01225 477737 Google Search: Bathnes Discovery Card

Ee n Electoral Registration and Elections For queries on voting rights or other election matters.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/elections T: 01225 477333 Google Search: Bathnes Electoral Registration

Ff n Family Information Service The Service holds up-to-date information about all Ofsted-registered childcare, as well as information about working with children and family support.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/fis T: 01225 395343 Google Search: Bathnes Fis n Fire Service, Avon Get updates on the latest news and incidents in your area and view the work we do within the community.

W: www.avonfire.gov.uk T: 0117 9262061 (non-emergency)

Directory Two Services from your Council’s

Public Protection Team Hh n Housing Services Support and advice for all of your housing issues.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/housing T: 01225 396296 Google Search: Bathnes Housing

Jj n Jobs with the Council Up-to-date information about job vacancies, equal opportunities, employment and training initiatives.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/jobs T: 01225 396409 (24 hours) Google Search: Bathnes Jobs

Ll n Leisure Centres Bath Leisure Centre, North Parade Rd, Bath BA2 4ET W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/leisure T: 01225 486905 Google Search: Bathnes Leisure and Sport Culverhay Sports Centre, Rush Hill, Bath BA2 2QL T: 01225 486902 (office hours) T: 01225 480882 (after 5pm) Keynsham Leisure Centre, Temple Street, Keynsham BS31 1HE T: 01225 395164 South Wansdyke Sports Centre, Rackvernal Rd, Midsomer Norton BA3 2UG T: 01761 415522 n Licensing Offers a range of information regarding licensing, including alcohol, cinemas and taxis.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/licensing T: 01225 477531 Google Search: Bathnes Licensing

Mm n MOT Testing We offer vehicle MOTs to members of the public and trade for cars, taxis and some coaches. Book today!

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath_mot T: 01225 477314 Google Search: Bathnes MOT Testing n Museums and Art Galleries Assembly Rooms and Fashion Museum W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/museums T: 01225 477789 Google Search: Bathnes Museums Roman Baths and Pump Room T: 01225 477785 Victoria Art Gallery (closed Mondays) T: 01225 477233 Bath’s Historic Buildings (venue hire) T: 01225 477786 or 01225 477782

Nn n NHS Service, BANES Find out how to register with your local GP or NHS dentist, plus information on other key services.

W: www.bathandnortheastsomersetccg.nhs.uk T: 01225 831800 E: BSCCG.information@nhs.net

To find out more about the hygiene standards in your favourite restaurants, takeaways and food shops visit:

food.gov.uk/ratings

Pp n Parking Services For parking queries, Park & Ride, clamping, fines, permits, Blue Badges, Pay & Display, enforcement of restrictions. Visit the website to download maps.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/parking T: 01225 477133 Google Search: Bathnes Parking n Pest Control The Council offers a comprehensive pest-control service for residents and businesses.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/pests T: 01225 396007 Google Search: Bathnes Pests n Police Service, Avon and Somerset Stay informed about what is happening in your area, with regular news updates, as well as useful information about crime reduction.

W: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk T: 101 (non-emergencies)

Rr n Record Office The office holds a wealth of information and archives.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/records T: 01225 477421 (closed Mondays) Google Search: Bathnes Records

Ss n School Admissions We deal with applications and can advise about your right of appeal, as well as home-to-school transport.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/admissions T: 01225 394312 Google Search: Bathnes Schools n Sirona Care & Health Providing community health and adult social services in Bath and North East Somerset. For detailed information on the services we offer, as well as online contact forms, visit our website.

W: www.sirona-cic.org.uk T: 01225 831400 n Social Services Visit the Health and Social Care pages on the website for information and advice.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/adultcare T: 01225 477000 T: 01454 615165 (out of hours emergencies about adults or children) T: 0808 800 4444 (emergency housing advice, contact the Shelter England 24-hour freephone advice line) Google Search: Bathnes Social Services

Tt n Taxi and Private Hire Cars – Complaints If you have a complaint regarding any licensed vehicle, contact the Council Licensing Enforcement Officer.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/taxis T: 01225 477689 Google Search: Bathnes Taxi Complaints

n Trading Standards The Council is responsible for enforcing a range of consumer legislation including misleading advertisements and counterfeit trademarks.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/trading T: 01225 396753 Google Search: Bathnes Trading n Travel Information (Traveline) Traveline provides timetables and journey planners for bus, coach and rail services in the South West.

W: www.travelinesw.com T: 0871 200 2233 (7am to 10pm - Calls cost 10p per minute from landlines) Google Search: Southwest Traveline

Yy n Youth Connect Working with young people aged 11-25 years.

W: www.bathnes.gov.uk/youthconnect T: 01225 396980 E: youth_service@bathnes.gov.uk Google Search: Bathnes Youth Connect

How to...

Make the most Pay the Council…

The Council’s ‘pay for it’ online service is a speedy, simple and secure way to pay for bills and charges, and it is available 24 hours a day. In just a few simple steps, you can make payments for Council Tax, Penalty Notices, Business Rates, Commercial Rents, Garden Waste renewal fees, and many other services.

You will need your account number or invoice reference in order to make a payment. Once you have this, visit the website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/pay, click on the online payments link and follow the on-screen prompts.

If you don’t have access to the internet, you can also pay by phone, or by visiting one of our local offices: Call 0845 372 3501 (24 hours a day) Visit the One Stop Shop in Bath, Riverside in Keynsham or The Hollies in Midsomer Norton.

www.bathnes.gov.uk | 35

Meet the...

Welfare Support Team The Welfare Support Scheme helps people whose needs fall outside those covered by basic welfare provisions. Here we talk to Angela Hucker and Sharon Grimsby about their invaluable work with the local community with travel as well – we have bus tickets for people going back to work or going for interviews. We can’t help directly with gas and electricity, but we have donated funds to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for that purpose, so we refer people to them.

Can you reimburse people for things they’ve already paid for?

Top fact...

The current Welfare Support Scheme came into being in April 2013 to replace the Crisis Loan and Community Care Grants previously provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

What would a typical day be like?

Angela: We’re here to help people in financial difficulties, and one thing we do is to buy essential household items, such as a cooker, washing machine, fridge or bed.

Sharon: But instead of giving people £500 to buy it themselves, we buy it for them.

We can also issue vouchers for The Genesis Trust Furniture Project for smaller items such as toasters and kettles. And we have access to a warehouse in Keynsham that stores recycled furniture.

What else can you help with?

Angela: We can help with food, and also with Council Tax or rent arrears if people are struggling. But there are strict criteria, and we are not able to distribute cash.

Sharon: We can issue retail vouchers, and also arrange to get food shopping delivered to anyone unable to go out and collect their own. We have food bank vouchers for people who don’t qualify for the retail vouchers, and hot meal vouchers for Julian House for the rough sleepers. We can help

Angela: No, we organise everything up front. For instance, if someone needs help moving, we have a removal company we use.

Sharon: When people ask for help, we ask them to fill in a form so we can assess their income and expenditure and we would make a decision based on this.

Who are you able to help?

Angela: It could be anyone on a low income, although not necessarily on benefits.

Sharon: We get a diverse range of people coming to us – single people, homeless people, families, pensioners, students.

Angela: Also care leavers, people who have got into debt or people who have just been released from prison. We can help people who are claiming benefits or whose benefits have been stopped, and also people who have just gone back to work and need help with food or travel until they receive their first wage.

How do they find out about you?

Angela: One way would be to go online and have a look at our website (see box right).

Sharon: A lot of people are referred to us by other agencies, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Housing Associations, the Council Tax staff or our One Stop Shops.

Angela: The biggest referral of all is from the Job Centre because our scheme replaced their Crisis Loan and Community Care grants.

Do you have responsibilities for different things?

Angela: No, we both deal with everything.

There is a third member of our team, David.

He assesses applications for discretionary

“We would never say to anyone: ‘We can’t help you with that.’ We would always find out who could” 38 | Connect | Spring 2015

housing payments for people whose Housing Benefit doesn’t quite cover the rent.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?

Angela: For me, I would have to say it’s getting vulnerable people rehoused.

Sharon: I agree. Seeing homeless people who have gone through the system and then into their own homes is one of the big successes.

What qualities do you need to do this kind of work?

Sharon: Listening is important, and knowing where to get help. We sometimes refer people to other charities and advice networks.

Angela: When someone comes to us, we look at their situation from all angles as there may be other things we can help with.

Sharon: I referred one person to Sirona’s Stop Smoking Service. She was struggling financially and still spending money on cigarettes, but she wanted to give up. If she got more support, she would manage it. So we listen to people and try to get the whole story before we decide how to help them.

Are you ever asked for things you can’t provide?

Sharon: People come to us for all sorts of things: broken windows, help with property repairs. One person had a leaking radiator.

Angela: We can’t take on things like that.

Sharon: But there are people who can, so we point people in the right direction.

Angela: We would never say, “We can’t help you with that.” We would always find out who could, because we come under Customer Services and the people who call us are our customers. n

Find out more To find out more about our services and whether you are eligible to benefit from any of them, visit our website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ benefits and scroll down to Welfare Support Scheme. For help with specific problems, call the advice line on 01225 477277 between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.