Weekly News 240
Council News
World Mental Health Day
We want to help start the conversation about Mental Health.
World Mental Health Day was on Sunday 10 October, however, we should have the conversations all year round! Join us as we move forward together, for mental health.
Let’s talk openly about mental health- chat with a friend, family member or work colleague.
It can be tricky to know how to have that chat, or to find the ‘right’ words once you do. To support those moments, please take a look at the link provided below which offers guidance on how you can help.
Conversation Guide: Talking to someone about mental health
Healthy Mind – Healthy Body
It’s vital to recognise the importance of how a healthy mind defines a healthy body. Keeping your mind active and healthy is more important now, than ever before, and there are a whole combination of ways to promote a positive mind-set:
- MOVE – physical exercise is great for your mind
- NOURISH – a healthy balanced diet is vital in promoting a positive mind
- SLEEP – Sleep will boost your mood, energy levels and stimulate your brain
- CALM – Time out to relax and unwind will help to reduce stress and anxiety
To find out about mindfulness and relaxation based exercise classes, contact your local leisure centre
Cheslynhay@sstaffs.gov.uk 01922 417790
Codsall@sstaffs.gov.uk 01902 844032
Penkridge@sstaffs.gov.uk 01785 714152
Wombourne@sstaffs.gov.uk 01902 898202
New Wellbeing Walk at Baggeridge Country Park
Baggeridge Country Park are pleased to welcome newly qualified walk-leaders who will be starting a brand new weekly walk at the park, starting Thursday 4 November.
- Thursdays (starting 4 November)
- 10am start (meet at the band stand on top carpark, behind the back of the childrens play area)
- Approximately 90 minute walk
- No need to book, just turn up
- Arrive 15 mins early to your first session to allow time to register
- Free and instructor-led walks (car parking charges apply)
This grade 3 walk will be around 45-90 minutes and may include steeper slopes, steps, uneven surfaces and stiles so please wear comfortable shoes.
For more information contact our Walk co-ordinator Louise on 07939 631131
By Elections – Thursday 28 October 2021
The following District By-Elections have been called:
Kinver
Wombourne South East
The following Parish By-Election has been called:
Wombourne South East Ward
Click here to find out more information including the Statements of Persons Nominated
October School Holiday Activity Camps
School holiday Activity Camps
From Monday 25 – Friday 29 October, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres will be providing holiday activities for children from 5 years+. Find out more by clicking on the links below.
Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre Camps
Penkridge Leisure Centre Activities
Wombourne Leisure Centre Camps
Swimming Teachers Course – October half term
Wombourne Leisure Centre will be hosting 2 courses over the half term week in October as follows:
STA Level 2 Safety Award for Teachers (SAT)
- This course is designed for Water Assistants and others who help with swimming lessons anywhere in the county covering first aid, CPR and water rescue techniques. You must be 16 years+ and be able to retrieve a manakin from the bottom of the pool.
- Costs £95 and runs on Monday 25 October 2021 0800-1600hrs
STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming
- Costs £295 and runs on Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 October 2021. You must be 16 years+ and already hold the Award in Teaching Swimming qualification. It is also desirable for you to hold a recognised Safety Award (SAT, NRASTC,NPLQ)
For more information, or to book, please call 01902 898202.
Regular News
Council Job Vacancies
- Leisure Assistant Dryside (Astro Turf) at Codsall Leisure Centre, closing 5pm on 22 October 2021. Application Information
Next week’s Council Committee meetings
- Planning Committee – Tuesday, 19 October 2021 – 6.30 pm
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk
Partnership Information and Helpful Resources
County Lines
County Lines can often involve the exploitation of young, vulnerable people who are targeted and manipulated into selling drugs by criminal gangs.
How you can help police disrupt County Lines
County Lines is used to describe the networks of gangs and organised criminals who export illegal drugs into other areas of the country, often smaller areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines known as ‘deal lines.’
Dealers will take orders from drug users through mobile phones and exploit children and vulnerable people to move and store drugs and money. Often, they do this using blackmail and intimidation and violence.
Children and vulnerable people can be groomed online or face-to-face by a stranger or someone they know. They can receive money, mobiles, credit, expensive clothing, jewellery, or other items/gifts in exchange for a specified task.
Staffordshire Police is committed to cracking down on this crime with the help of partner organisations but they also need your help to stop this happening in your area. Information from witnesses and local communities is vital to building evidence, making arrests and prosecuting members of organised crime gangs. If you know something you can call Crimestoppers anonymously 24 hours a day by dialling 0800 555 111.
Restart a heart – FREE Event
What: Restart A Heart FREE CPR and First aid skills Sharing
When: Saturday 16 October 2021 / drop in anytime between 3pm and 5.30pm – plenty of people and equipment available to share and demonstrate skills on a 121 or group basis.
Where: St John Ambulance, Upton House, 18 Lichfield Road, Stafford, ST17 4LJ
Activities for children with special educational needs or disabilities
Activities for 8-18 year olds who have special educational needs or disabilities from Staffordshire.
Let Us Play is running some new activities over October half term:
Golf Day – Wednesday 27 October – 3 Hammers Golf Club, Wolverhampton.
Hogwarts Halloween Party – Saturday 30 October – The Royal British Legion, Wolverhampton.
Full details are available at the links below:
Aiming High – Let Us Play – Golf Day | Staffordshire Connects
Aiming High – Let Us Play – Hogwarts Party | Staffordshire Connects
To take part or if you have any queries please call 0300 111 8007.
Have your say on the Mental Health Strategy
Staffordshire County Council have a public survey out at the moment to capture feedback from Staffordshire residents on their Mental Health Strategy. Please share your views, thoughts, and feelings via the:
Staffordshire Mental Health Strategy Public Engagement survey
Have your say on Urgent and Emergency Care
This questionnaire has been designed to gather comments and public experience of using urgent and emergency care services
Urgent and Emergency Care Involvement Survey
Have your say on the School Nurse Service
Staffordshire County Council are undertaking a survey to inform what is working well and any areas that need some improvement.
The survey closes on 24 October. Please click on the appropriate link below:
Children and Young People Survey
Childhood Respiratory Illnesses
NHS England warned earlier in the year that a possible increase in childhood respiratory illnesses was on its ‘radar’, and this might cause an issue moving forward. The reason for the expected surge is that we have had two winters where children have had limited exposure to common respiratory illnesses and have not been able to build up a strong immunity.
It is normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year. Children gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds over time. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children.
Here is a list of things that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket which might help you care for an unwell child at home:
- Children’s paracetamol
- Children’s ibuprofen (children with asthma may not be able to take)
- Ibuprofen (check with a pharmacist)
- Digital thermometer
- Vapor rub
- Children’s cough syrup
- Nasal saline drops
- Honey (not suitable for under 12 months)
- Ice-lollies
- Soft tissues
If your child has a high temperature of 38C or more and is generally unwell for more than 4 days, go to 111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app for health advice, to book an appointment and more
Safe &Sound programme
The topics covered this week were:
- Wildlife Crime – Silverdale Country Park
- Road Safety – Gist
- Chief Fire Officer Q&A – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
- Railway Safety – Network Rail
- Water Safety – Canal & River Trust
- Kitchen Fires – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Please click here to access all programmes
Save Lives by Donating Blood Plasma
Medicines made from plasma save and transform the lives of over 17,000 people in England each year.
NHS Blood and Transplant is asking for men between the ages of 17 and 66 to consider donating their blood plasma. Men are more likely to have the blood plasma volumes and larger vein sizes making them ideal donors.
Last year, more than 450 people received medicine made from plasma at Birmingham’s hospitals. Currently the NHS relies on plasma from the USA. Donating in the UK will bolster long term NHS supplies. The plasma being donated now will reach hospitals from 2022 onwards. Appointments are available at your local Donor centre in New Street, Birmingham.
For further information on donating plasma or to register please click on this link.
Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards
The Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards sponsored by We Are Staffordshire are back for 2021/22 and their new competition is now open for entries.
Any Staffordshire tourism business can enter
Further information on the Tourism & Good Food Awards can be accessed here.
Covid Update
Door to Door Testing
Due to the high rates of COVID-19 in South Staffordshire, the County Council fleet of community testing vehicles are now visiting targeted postcodes. This is to ensure that residents can access testing on a more regular basis to try and slow down the spread of the virus.
Next week this will be available in the following areas:
16 October 8:00-14:00 Penkridge Market
16 October door to door Featherstone postcodes
Key changes to Lateral Flow Test Kit Supplies
Changes have been made to the service to support the need for increase traceability of test kits and to continue to assist NHS Test and Trace with efforts to identify COVID-positive cases in the community and break the chain of transmission. The changes to the service specification apply from 4 October 2021 and they include:
- A reduction in the number of packs of test kits contractors can supply per transaction from four to two, which brings the service in line with other providers of test kits.
- The introduction of the requirement for citizens to register for a collect code via gov.uk/get-collect-code or 119 prior to making a collection from a pharmacy.
- If citizens do not wish to register for a collect code, a supply can still be made as an anonymous collection, but people should be encouraged to use collect codes wherever possible.
- A reduction in the minimum recommended age for a person to collect LFT kits to 16 years.
When it’s urgent but not an emergency, visit NHS 111 online
Get the advice you need at home
Get a face-to-face timeslot if you need one
Be told how to get any medicine you need
Find out how you can ‘self care’ at home
In an emergency, always call 999