Follow the links in the notes above to be taken to each notice section, or see below for events coming soon!
ON THE HORIZON
- Healthwatch Suffolk Survey If you a parent, carer or guardian in Suffolk, Healthwatch Suffolk would like to hear your views on managing parental stress and family wellbeing. By taking the short survey, they will be able to learn more about what support is needed for the health and wellbeing of local young people and families. For more information visit their website or click on the image to take the survey.
Realise Futures are running 2 courses from 6th March – 27th March at the Bury St Edmunds Learning Centre IP33 1TZ. Stress Management 10am – 12.30pm and Confidence & Wellbeing 2pm – 4.30pm. For more information contact 0300 456 205
- Slipper Swap Event Debenham Sports and Leisure are hosting a Slipper Swap event which is taking place on Tuesday, 18th March at the Community Centre, Gracechurch Street, Debenham IP14 6BL from 1.30pm – 4.30pm. If you are aged 65+ you can simply go along with your old slippers and exchange them for a new pair. Refreshments will be available and the opportunity to speak to the range of services that will also be attending. Booking is not required. For more information call 07912 488195.
FV Vouchers The National Energy Foundation (NEF) have an extra 25,000 FV vouchers to distribute for those on a prepayment meter. A referral to Better Housing Better health project can help you receive up to 6 vouchers each with no penalty for any vouchers previously issued. The fuel vouchers can be accessed for free via a self referral to Better Housing Better Health. NEF will also be able to offer general energy advice, priority service register sign-ups, smart meter advice, fire service visit referrals, energy billing advice, carbon monoxide alarms & awareness info, items to help you keep warm and reduce energy use and much more.
Confidence To Deal With Everyday Budgeting Course This course from Realise Futures, aims to build up your confidence with household & personal budgeting skills and provides money saving tips and help to reduce your outgoings. The course is running from Friday, 28th February – Friday, 21st March between 1.30pm – 4pm at the Active Business Centre, St Andrew’s Castle, 33 St Andrews Street South bury St Edmunds, IP33 3PH For more information call 0300 456 2050.
- Are you a family carer in Suffolk? If you are a family carer and looking for information & advice on what further support and services are available but are not sure where to start, Suffolk Family Carers can help. They can be contacted on 01473 865477, email: hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org and online chat: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org
Waveney Sailability are a charity that enables people with disabilities to enjoy sailing and enjoying being on the water in their specially built boats and dinghie. Click on the image below to view their January Newsability newsletter.
Environment, Sustainability and Wellbeing Course This course from Realise Futures aims to provide a better understanding of environmental issues and how they can impact you and your community. Find out how to take steps to reduce your ecological footprint and how this can link to metal and physical wellbeing. Taking place at Stowmarket Learning Centre, Unit 1, 27 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1AB on Wednesdays from 10am – 12.30pm between 29th January – 5th March. For more information, visit Stowmarket Learning Centre or telephone 0300 456 2050.
Government Grants for Park Homes With the successful campaigning of Park Home Grants by Bubba Energy, park homes are now included under the EC04 scheme for government backed energy grants. The ECO4 grants helps to reduce future energy bills by installing energy efficient heating technology including Air Source Heat Pumps. Loft Insulation, Cavity Wall and Underfloor Insulation. Click on the image below to check your eligibility.
Introduction to Apprenticeships Guide Apprenticeships Suffolk are a Free impartial service from Suffolk County Council which aims to increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships within the county. Click on the image below to view the PDF Guide.
- Are you receiving Pension Credit? It is important to find out if you are eligible as it will affect the government ‘Winter Fuel Allowance’ payments. To find out more about qualifying for Pension Credit visit the gov.uk website here or click the image below to view the Independent Age guide to Pension Credit.
Over 65’s Benefits Calculator from Independent Age can help you to find out what benefits you are entitled to claim. it is Free to use and the information details you provide is anonymous. Make sure you have all you details to hand regarding your savings, income, pensions and existing benefits for yourself and/or your partner before you start. Click on the image below to go to the calculator.
Suffolk Libraries have launched LinkedIn Learning, which is a new FREE service for library users in Suffolk. Which will provide courses on a variety of subjects, IT, photography, social media, project management, marketing and more. The courses are a great way of learning new skills, Find out more about how to access this amazing free resource via the Suffolk Libraires website:
- ActivLives ICare Connect Project is a one to one support service which provides carers with help & support and someone to talk things through with when needed. Support is also available for anyone who used to be a carer and needs some advice. To find out more contact the ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email Alison Pearson at alison@activlives.org.uk
Suffolk Young Ones is a social group that connects and supports people in Suffolk under 60 years of age who are concerned about or have received a memory diagnosis. For more details contact 01449 707030
Tackling Loneliness Re-engage provide vital social connections for the older community aged 75+ who are finding their social circle getting smaller. They provide a free monthly ‘Tea Parties’ in local communities across the UK, a ‘Call Companion’ service for a regular chat with their volunteer callers, Activity groups for gentle exercise and more. For more information call them on 0800 716 543 (All calls are free) or visit their website
Plug In Suffolk Project Suffolk County Council‘s Plug in Suffolk project aims to help reduce the challenges that homes without a driveway/garages face when charging an Electric Vehicle(EV) as it is not always possible to do this safely with cables across pavements to the electricity source. The project will increase the public EV charging network by installing: kerbside charging points, community charging hubs, car park charging points and fast and rapid charging point infrastructure improvements. For more info click on the image below.
A Free Digital Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card is now available from the The Bladder and Bowel Community and can be downloaded on to your smartphone. The card will allow you access to use toilets that are not normally available to the public and is is widely accepted restaurants, cafe’s, shops, entertainment centres and many businesses. If you don’t have a smartphone you can order a plastic card by post for £2.95. Click on the images below to find out how you can get a digital card or plastic card.
- Tell Us Once is a service that enables you to report a death to most government organisations all in one go. When you register a death the registrar will advise you of this service and may help to complete this with you or will provide you with a unique reference number so that you can do this by yourself online or by phone. Click on the image below for the easy read guide that explains how to use the service. If you are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, there is a relay service available.
Confidential Benefits Calculator To make sure you are claiming all the benefits that you may be entitled to, try the The Turn2Us Benefit Calculator, it is free and confidential. To get started click on the image below which will take you to the Turn2Us website calculator.
- Strut Safe is a free telephone service that you can call if you are uneasy walking home alone at night. You can speak with a friendly volunteer who will chat to you until you get safely home. The service is available by calling 0333 335 0026 on Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm – 3am and Sundays from 7pm – 1am.
ActivSheds Project from ActivLives is for anyone who likes working with tools, repairing, mending DIY projects or for would like to learn. it is an opportunity to get together with like minded people to share skills and learn new ones whilst meeting new people and making friends. Sessions are happening on Thursdays, at CRESS Pavillion, Halifax Road, Ipswich, IP2 8RE from 9.30am – 12pm and 1pm – 3.30pm and are £5 per person For more info and to book call Suzannah on 07530 407302 or email susannah@activlives.org.uk
Community Catalysts Suffolk are offering support and care to help you with getting started on a self employed basis. To find out more email suffolkmicros@communitycatalysts.co.uk or visit their Facebook page.
Free Money Advice Drop-in A new weekly drop-in service has been launched in Bungay for people who are in need of confidential financial advice and guidance on how to save and manage money, reducing bills, increasing income, applying for grants, and dealing with debt, as well as ID document replacement, applying benefits for childcare and school uniform. The sessions will be running every Thursday, from 10am – 12pm and will be held at 28 Wingfield Street, Bungay NR35 1EZ. To find out more, visit the East Suffolk Council’s Ease the Squeeze programme page, or call the customer services team on 0333 016 2000.
East Suffolk Council Digital Champions East Suffolk residents who need extra support to use online services can receive help from East Suffolk Council’s dedicated Digital Champions. They can provide help with both council and some non-council related services.
Appointments are available at:- The Marina Centre, Lowestoft, on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10am – 4pm)
- Halesworth Library on Tuesdays (10am – 4pm)
- Aldeburgh, Woodbridge and Saxmundham Libraries on Wednesdays (10am – 4pm)
- Felixstowe and Leiston Library on Fridays (10am – 4pm
To make an appointment at any of these locations, call 0333 016 2000 and for more information on the service click on the image below.
Home Library Service if you or someone you know likes to read but is not able to get to the library due to health or mobility issues, Suffolk Libraries are now running a ‘Home Library Service‘ where their volunteers will order books for you and bring them to your door. For more information on the service you can contact your local library, email hls@suffolklibraries.co.uk or visit the Suffolk Libraries website
NHS Free Food Scanner App The app gives you an easy way to scan your family favourite foods so you can find a what healthier options are available, so you can swap them next time you shop. The app is available to download for free from the Apple Store or Google Play. Find out more about how the app works on the NHS website where you can view the video.
Communities Together East Anglia – Tea & Tech Communities Together East Anglia offer two projects to help people gain the skills and knowledge to use digital technology to support their daily lives:
Six week “tablet courses”, teaching people aged 55+, in a small group setting, how to use an Amazon Fire tablet – right from the basics through to using the device to book health appointments, shop and keep in touch with family and friends.
Also – monthly “Tea & Tech” sessions in community spaces across the county where individuals who may have a question or problem with a digital device, and would like to have some support from one of our digital Champion volunteers can go along and get it, over a cuppa and cake!
Call 01449 707030 for more information, or visit their website.
Cadent Gas Network have created a booklet that has lots of helpful advice on what to do if you smell gas, free carbon monoxide monitors, locking cooker valves, Priority Regisiter Service, tips on saving energy, scams & fraudsters as well as info on their benefits calculator and financial support. You can call them on 0333 016 2000 ask for Suffolk Centres for Warmth or email ccfw@eastsuffolk.gov.uk Click on the image below to view their booklet
- Do you work in or are you planning to work in Health and Social Care? This is an opportunity for you to complete a range of fully funded accredited course units from levels 1 to 4. Alongside this, a free mentor service for help and support, providing: • Advice, guidance and learning opportunities • Help with overcoming challenges • Career progression • Training and future funding • Applying for roles and confidence building. For more information, contact developingskills@suffolk.gov.uk
Phab Club Framlingham College ‘Phab’ Club offers a fun within a safe environment where teenagers disabled and nondisabled can get creative and socialise with a variety of activities included. Taking place fortnightly on Wednesdays from 4.15-5.30pm. For more information contact contact Adrian Bloore: abloore@framlinghamcollege.co.uk or Janine Williams, National Development Manager on 01825 749826 or 07910 556588
Multiply Suffolk is a new FREE scheme from Suffolk County Council providing adults who don’t already have a GCSE Grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent with the opportunity to improve their numeracy skills. The courses including Money Management and Numeracy for Parents/Carers and is available on either a part-time or intensive basis and are flexible to fit around people’s lives. For more information and to sign up via the Learn Suffolk website
Groups for families around Suffolk Families Together Suffolk groups are happening around the county in Bildeston, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Honington, Stowmarket, Wattisham and Woodbridge. All sessions are free to attend and each session will have a different theme to enable activities change weekly. The groups offer a relaxed and supportive meeting place. For more information call 01379 678552 or email info@familiestogethersuffolk.org.uk
Men’s Sheds Project is a network of community spaces at a wide range of venues across the county from Community Action Suffolk. The sessions help to build friendships and encourage positive wellbeing through social interaction by sharing practical skills to repair and restore items for your local community, To find out more information on how you can get involved contact Community Officer, Colin Burcombe, on 01473 345373 or email colin.burcombe@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
Cheaper broadband for families and households on lower incomes Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low income. To find out more information on how a social tariff may help you and for a list of available tariffs click on the image below.
IT Services at CAS have assembled a ‘Cost of Living’ pack of free or low cost IT resources and software tools that can be accessed by individuals, charities or even small businesses. They also off great value IT Support packages especially designed for charities, small businesses and community groups.
No Cold Callers Door Sticker Suffolk Trading Standares are offering a free of charge ‘No Cold Callers’s sticker. If you would like one fro your front door, just email your address to tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk
With the frequent news headlines about the rise in energy and food prices, its not hard to recognise that the coming winter is going to be very difficult for many people, more people in all probability, than last year. Keeping connected to neighbours family and friends is vital as we go through these tough times and we work hard on this as you know, with our village visits, our MeetUpMondays network and our c-a-f-e network. With the best will in the world though, these wont pay the bills!
If you are in a position to help financially, we would like to suggest three ways this can be done:1. Winter Fuel Allowance. If you don’t need yours, you can donate it to Suffolk Community Foundation ‘Rebuilding Local Lives appeal’ and they will redistribute the funds to households that need help.2. Sign up to 500 Suffolk Reasons and donate £1 a week to create a pot of kindness for a household struggling to cope. At the moment these awards can only be made once a month but as the membership grows so will the number of beneficiaries. 500suffolkreasons.org for more info.All of these ways to help mean that your gift stays local, something we know can mean a lot.We are all in the same storm but not necessarily in the same boat…so if you can help, you won’t change the world but you will make the world of change to someone who needs this kindness. Plus in our experience, kindness begets kindness and we know that beneficiaries in the past have ‘paid it forward’ , so its really a win win situation.Any questions, do please get in touch by calling 01379 855338, or by emailing us, or via our social media.Thank you.
