Weekly News 369

18 Oct 2024

STOP PRESS: South Staffordshire Community Wellbeing funding update

Funding from South Staffordshire Council has been used to support a wide range of worthwhile projects across the district.

The Council’s Community Wellbeing fund facilitated the launch of a 14-week Chair Yoga course in Kinver run by Sarah from Unite Yoga. The sessions are improving attendee’s balance, posture and breathing as well as providing an opportunity to socialise and make new friends in a calming environment.

The funding has now closed for the Health Inequalities Fund successfully funding 12 projects for a wide range of projects, some of which are already actively running and aim to enhance wellbeing across different age groups.

This includes Bee Well’s primary school workshops for building resilience, Codsall Community Nursery’s sessions which foster intergenerational connections between seniors and young children through activities and Sound Mind’s collaboration with family support services and schools to offer counselling for young people – addressing mental health needs post-COVID.

Schemes such as the Ageing Well workshops support older residents to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Finally, Up-Cycle renovate donated bikes before offering them to residents to improve mobility and health.

Through the West Midlands Interchange (WMI) fund, we have funded public benches, speed signs, village gateway signage and many more. This funding is restricted to the areas surrounding the WMI.

South Staffordshire Council Community Roadshow

We are now entering the autumn leg of our 2024 community roadshow. It’s been a really busy year so far.

The welfare support team, Creating Brighter Futures team and locality enablers have attended fetes, fairs, and various community events across all our 5 localities.

The teams have been able to speak to many residents about their concerns including but not limited to, cost of living support, council tax and housing support, training and development, job searching and more recently Pension Credit support and the winter fuel allowance.

We have also worked in partnership with Age UK and Staffordshire County Council to distribute slow cookers and more recently with the DWP to promote accessibility to Pension Credit.

The welfare services team, in partnership with local parishes have also provided welfare support drop-in sessions in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Huntington.

Welfare services are also working in partnership with the Co-op and Housing Plus to reach our more isolated residents across all localities to offer advice and support on topics including Cost of living, Pension Credit, Housing Benefits and Council Tax Support.

The teams have supported many residents along the way and have received some encouraging feedback. Including “its lovely that the council and the Co-op are getting involved to reach out to those who will need pension credit” “thank you for my slow cooker, it will really help me with my meals”. “if it wasn’t for your help I don’t know what I would have done, thank you”

The next events will be held in Perton, and Wombourne. Events | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

If you would like more information about the support available, please contact Karen Riley, Customer Engagement Team Manager, Welfare Services on 07725786741.

Your view mattters

Our 2024 Resident Survey is now live!

We have received some very informative and helpful feedback in previous years and your responses have been greatly received.

Please take this opportunity to tell us more about your experience of living in South Staffordshire.

For a chance to win a £50 voucher please complete the survey before 4^th November. https://forms.office.com/e/7CP3m77NvY

Your responses will be used to inform future Council decisions.

Flood Action Week

Around 5.5 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding.

Taking action to prepare and knowing what to do in a flood can significantly reduce risk to life, damage to property and the suffering from mental health impacts in the future. Research shows that the mental health impacts can last for at least two years.

The Met Office’s campaign has simple messages such as ‘knowing just one action to take that can reduce the effects on your home and family, and even save a life’.

Know how to Prepare. Act. Survive.

The good news is that preparing for flooding includes simple things that you can do to help keep you and your family safe and save you thousands of pounds in damages and disruption.

Are you Ready?

Information on preparing for severe weather and other emergencies is available on the following link:

Prepare for flooding: Protect yourself from future flooding – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Digital and welfare support session including Pension Credit guidance

If you, or someone you know, lives in Cheslyn Hay, Saredon, Essington, Featherstone, Shareshill or Great Wyrley and are of state pension age then this event is for you!

Join us to discover if you could be missing out on valuable benefits and support this winter.

We will be offering digital skills training, please bring your phone, tablet, or laptop, and let us help you navigate the digital world with confidence.

🏢Cheslyn Hay Parish Council, Village Hall, Pinfold Ln, Cheslyn Hay, Walsall WS6 7HP

📅4^th November

⏱️12pm till 3pm

Please click below for further information ⬇️

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/events

Complimentary refreshments will be available. Slow cookers will also be available for a number of pensioners courtesy of AGE UK.

Come and meet our friendly advisors – we are here to help.

Events in your area

Please check out our website for the latest events in your area!

What’s on

Job vacancies

Estates Officer, closing 20^thOctober
Planning Solicitor, open closing date

All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site:

Find a job | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Partnership Updates

Helping local people to build good careers

You’re invited to the annual Jobs and Skills Fair on Friday, 8^th November, hosted at Wombourne High School and Leisure Centre.

Since being elected in 2015, local MP Mike Wood has a high focus on this initiative to connect jobseekers with potential employers in the region. This fair is expected to attract a diverse array of businesses looking to fill various vacancies, providing a platform for networking and employment opportunities.

This event aims to cater a wide audience eager to explore career prospects. The Department for Work and Pensions will once again lend its support, inviting a variation of prospective employers to participate.

If you would like to reserve a place at the event, please could you confirm as soon as possible by return email to mike.wood.mp@parliament.uk.

Codsall Community Hub welcomes the Sustainability Dreamhouse

South Staffordshire Council proudly hosted the Sustainability Dreamhouse at the Codsall Community Hub this week and was a huge success!

This insightful and engaging visual demonstration is designed to educate the public on reducing carbon emissions and living sustainably.

Councillor David Williams, Portfolio holder responsible for Estates, Assets and Commercial Services, said: “We are thrilled to host the Sustainability Dreamhouse here at Codsall Community Hub. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our community to learn about eco-friendly living in an immersive, hands-on environment. The Sustainability Dreamhouse is a powerful reminder of how small changes at home can have a big impact on the environment.”

There were also interactive displays, including eco-games, QR codes linking to additional information, educational materials, and takeaway eco-leaflets. The Dreamhouse is made of recycled and sustainable materials, upcycled furniture and eco-friendly products.

Other key features are the solar-powered energy in the Dreamhouse and the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil logistics for transportation between venues to reduce carbon emissions.

Learn more about the Sustainability Dreamhouse here: https://youtu.be/ZG_rQrukEmM

Leisure Updates

Community health and wellbeing schemes

Walking Works!

Walking is for everyone. It’s free, simple and gentle on the body.

South Staffordshire Council provide a programme of regular weekly walks which take place from various locations around the district; varying in length and difficulty.

The walks are led by trained volunteers; are suitable for abilities and they’re free to join, plus they’re an opportunity to improve your health and wellbeing, enjoy conversation, be outdoors and share experiences.

As part of the programme we also offer a new session called Walx which is funded by UKSPF. Walx encourages participants to make every step count by mixing walking drills, strength and balance exercises using total body walking poles. Walx takes place every Thursday lunchtime, 12-1pm starting at Codsall Community Hub. The session is free to attend however advanced booking is required. For more information and to book your place contact: Lisa at lisaembrey@hotmail.com or call 0777 332 6373.

Councillor Kath Perry commented: ‘These walks are a great opportunity to stay fit, healthy and make new friends, why not give it a try.’

For more information on the walking programme, visit https://online.flippingbook.com/view/711461360/

Have a Laugh and a Half this October

Local company Curiosity Productions are teaming up with Silly Billy Standup to bring the Laugh and a Half comedy night to Bilbrook Village Hall on 25^th October to help raise funds for this great community venue.

You can expect a fantastic line-up of acts from the Midlands comedy circuit.

Winner of Birmingham Breaking Talent Award 2022 Hannah Weetman will be headlining. She was also runner up in 2019 Best New Act category in the West Midlands Comedy Awards. Shortlisted BBC New Act 2023.

Alongside her on the line-up will be…

Danny Clives from Dudley. His sharp joke writing and easy-going charm has seen him support the likes of Joe Lycett, Guz Khan and Nigel Ng (Uncle Roger) on tour, as well as earning him a spot on the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Jonathan Hipkiss has performed in Birmingham, Leicester, Edinburgh, Chicago, New York, LA and now he’s coming to Bilbrook!

MC for the night will be Silly Billy Standup founder Rachel Baker. Funny Women Finalist, BBC New Creative.

Come along and have a laugh with us. There will be a bar serving wine, beer and snacks. Fundraising for Bilbrook Village Hall.

When: Friday 25th October

Doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8pm

Where: Bilbrook Village Hall, Joey’s Lane, WV8 1JL

Tickets: £12.50 from Ticketsource

Contact: 07511 339598 / bilbrookvillagehall@hotmail.com for more information

October school holiday activities

This October half term, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres have got lots on offer for children and young people.

Here is a quick run down of what’s on:

Aspire Active Camps for 5-14 yr olds
Wolves Halloween Soccer Schools
Daytime swimming programme
Active Youth gym sessions for 13 yrs+

To find out more, visit the website at https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/activities-children-young-people

Save up to 10% with the Leisure Advantage Card

Start saving today with our Leisure Advantage Card!

Customers can enjoy 10% off activities such as swimming, gyms, exercise classes and more with the Leisure Advantage card which is available to children and adults.