Chaplains still have an important role to play Bright Green Homes

below 50%.

Chaplains, though, the majority of whom are Christian, continue to play an important role in the lives of those they encounter, in all walks of life.

It's not just the Armed Forces where chaplaincy is important. Chaplains can be found in many spheres of life: in education, in the NHS, in prisons.

I have the real pleasure of engaging with children and young people through the chaplaincy I provide to 1st Yate Boys’ Brigade and 37 Squadron (Frampton Cotterell) Air Training Corps.

Why am I going on about chaplaincy? Well, I want to remind you that the church is here for you! The church isn’t just a group for those who belong, but rather we’re here for everyone. We are here for the very youngest to the very oldest, and everyone in between. In a society where mental health issues are continually on the rise, where the cost-of-living crisis is impacting more families, where people feel rejected by society because of who they are, the church is there for you. Why not search out your nearest church and see how we might be able to support you through the pressures of life?

Over 500 households in Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) are to receive funding for energy efficiency and renewable upgrades to help tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.

The ‘Bright Green Homes’ project will be delivered across the South West, by Bristol City Leap, an innovative new partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco, designed to bring in investments of nearly £500 million in low carbon energy projects and create over 1000 jobs in its first five years.

Energy efficiency upgrades will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will range from insulation measures like loft and cavity walls to the installation of renewable and low-carbon technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps.

Households can apply via the Bristol City Leap website where they will complete a short questionnaire to determine their eligibility.

Home improvements for eligible households will be installed by Bristol City Leap partner, Ameresco from March 2023 and continue until

The three councils successfully bid for funding from phase 2 of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s home upgrade grant, which has already provided over £1.1 billion to low-income households living in England's worst quality, off-gas grid homes.

The latest round of funding will help reduce the carbon footprint of homes while supporting hundreds of households in the south west struggling with energy bills.

David White, Operations Director for Bristol City Leap, commented: “We are delighted that Bristol has been successful in the most recent round of the Home Upgrade Grant scheme. We were able to make a much larger bid than in previous funding rounds due to the additional delivery capability that Bristol City Leap can bring to bear through the partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco. As a result, our Bright Green Homes project will help reduce the energy bills of over 500 families in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset, whilst also tackling the climate emergency and creating local jobs.”

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s announcement marks the third time in three years that Bristol City Council has received funding for residents in low energy efficiency and low-income households and builds on the hundreds of homes already benefitting from improved energy efficiency.

Councillor Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member for

Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy in Bristol, said: “I know many people are deeply concerned about the cost of heating their homes and rising energy bills, so I’m glad that we have secured even more funding through the government’s Home Upgrade Grant.

“This funding is an essential part of Bristol’s commitment to become a carbon-neutral city and it will also make a real difference to eligible residents in the city – saving them money on their household energy bills and making their homes more energy efficient through upgrades like better insulation.

“If you think your household meets the eligibility criteria, then I urge you to complete the online questionnaire. If you have any questions about the project or eligibility criteria, please get in touch with Bristol City Leap.”

More information on the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply can be found on our Bright Green Homes page on our website www. bristolcityleap.co.uk/domestic/bright-greenhomes or by contacting the Bristol City Leap team at 0117 352 1180.

20 years for Shopmobility

A CHARITY is celebrating 20 years of making shopping more accessible for people with disabilities.

Shopmobility in South Gloucestershire was set up in July 2003 by the late Keith Holloway, from Thornbury, who called a meeting about the possibility of setting up a mobility scheme for shoppers after seeing a similar scheme elsewhere.

After a meeting in Dodington Parish Council hall, planning started !and the scheme began operations in 2006.

Based in Yate Library at Yate Shopping centre, it provides mobility scooter and wheelchair hire on a daily and longer-term basis to help people who have limited mobility to retain their independence in using the centre accessing other nearby services.

Its opening hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9.30am to 4pm.

Shopmobility South Glos vice-chairman David Bell, who was at the original meeting in 2003 said: "I am so pleased that Shopmobility South Glos is still going strong after all these years.

"We have been able to help so many people in that time."

Trustee Linda Banister said: "What an incredible service this is!

"I survived bone cancer in 2020/1 and unfortunately had to lose a leg in the process. Whilst recovering, a friend mentioned the Shopmobility service to me.

"I visited Shopmobility and the lovely (project manager) Sheridan Crew was kind and extremely helpful. He patiently showed me how to use the scooter, what to do and not to do, and how to dismantle it to go in the back of my friend's Mini. It enabled me to go on my first holiday.

Chair Janet Biggin said: "I am very proud with the service we provide for people who wish to remain independent, in using our wheelchairs and mobility scooters to go shopping, visit friends, or needing to hire a wheelchair following surgery.

"We are aware of the issues with isolation and know that our service helps to overcome this in allowing people to get ‘out and about’.

"We have received many compliments from our service users in being able to do things independently, which they really appreciate."

People can pre-book a scooter or wheelchair by calling 01454 868718 or 07999 574474, emailing shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo. com or call in to the office at the Yate Library.

Shopmobility South Gloucestershire will be holding a drop-in celebration event at its office at Yate Library on Thursday July 20 from 2pm to 4pm. All are welcome.

Sheridan said: "We have been very dependent on the invaluable support of volunteers to help operate the service and serve as trustees during this time.

"We would welcome to the event anyone who might be interested in volunteering with us to meet with us informally to find out what we do."

Joseph's a hit

ACTORS and those behind the scenes at Winterbourne Musical Theatre are already making plans for their next show after their hit production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The show was staged at WADCA Community Centre in Winterbourne at the end of May.

Louise Harrison,. from the group, said: "The show was a great success, getting an audience of about 80 on the opening night, and then selling out four further performances.

"The Society also did a free performance for South Glos people suffering from dementia, along with their carers, which was very popular.

"It was a true community show, with a local all-age amateur cast."

The society's next show will be Bah Humbug, a comedy based on A Christmas Carol, in November.

n WHAT'S ON

July 2 n WALKS for single people. Meet Sandie at 11am in the centre of Luckington for a figure-of-eight walk. Each walk is 2 1/2 miles long and returns to The Ship for refreshments. You can do either walk or both. More details from Sandie on 0786 659 7104.

July 2 n HAMBROOK CRICKET CLUB Families Day, Whiteshill Common, Hambrook, from noon. Free 6-a-side softball cricket competition, fairground games, bouncy castle, tombola, dog grooming, cake stall. Food and drink, licensed bar. The club welcomes new players for its ladies, allstars (5-7), dynamos (7-11) and youth (11-17) groups.

July 12-13 n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE DEMENTIA Meeting Centre open days, 1-3pm each day at Bradley Stoke Evangelical Church, Baileys Court Road. For people living with mild to moderate dementia and their carers. To book a free place call Winsome on 07377 197893 or email winsome@aliveactivities.org.

July 1 n MUSIC IN THE MEADOWS with Russell Watson & Guests, Iron

Acton Parish Meadows. Gates open 6pm. UK’s best selling classical artist with the Bristol Millennium Orchestra. Tickets in advance only. More details at www.actonaid. org.uk.

Regular Events

n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE FLOWER CLUB now meets at WADCA in Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Call 01454 776753 for details.

n MONDAY: FRAMPTON n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN LADIES PROBUS CLUB meets at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Talk followed by refreshments, £3.50 visitor, £25 annual membership. Call 01454 773647 for more details. n TUESDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN METHODIST CHURCHDrop in for free cup of tea and chat or play board games, every Tuesday from 2-4pm. n TUESDAY: SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. Contact croquet@wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440. n TUESDAY - CRAFTING: Come and join our group of crafters on the first Tuesday of every month in the Red Brick Annexe, Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2TG from 2-4pm. Bring your own project. £4 per session: Kay 07792189276. n WEDNESDAY: GENTLE SHIBASHI TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 10.30-11.30am and 11.45am12.45pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne. Contact Jenny on 07855 560257or jksmith@blueyonder.co.uk for more information. n WEDNESDAY DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217 for information. n THURSDAY: WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who play a wide range of music including pop, musicals and classical, rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members are welcome. For more information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com. n THURSDAY: COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET-UP, every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For more details email volunteering@coeliac.org.uk. n THURSDAY: CROSSBOW n THURSDAY: HAMBROOK n FRIDAY: FROME VALLEY ART GROUP meets at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne each Friday 2-4pm or 7-9pm. Thriving club with demonstrations and workshops from visiting professional artists. More details online at winterbourneart.uk or email fromevalleyartwinterbourne@gmail. com. n SUNDAYS: GROUP GUIDED RELAXATION SESSIONS

SINGALONG meets on the first Monday in the month at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2-3.30pm. Live music from The Jays & The Rosettes. £5, refreshments included. Carers free. All profits to UNICEF supporting children affected by Ukraine war. More details 07515 351 813.

CAMERA CLUB meets every Thursday evening at 7.45pm at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. Small friendly group who enjoy looking at and taking pictures. Call 0789 026 6650 or just turn up for free taster sessions.

MEN’S PROBUS CLUB meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 10am-noon at Whiteshill Chapel, Hambrook, with a speaker at each meeting. Friendly group, new members welcome. For more details call the secretary on 01454 778250.

Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, from 8pm - 8:30pm ran fortnightly on Sundays. A welcoming and cosy place to just switch off and be guided into blissful relaxation. Contact Julie from Awaken Me awakenmehypnotherapy@ yahoo.com or visit http://www. awakenmehypnotherapy.co.uk