BRECKLAND AND SOUTH HELP THROUGH CRISIS

Help Through Crisis advice and support

Led by Norfolk Citizens Advice and in partnership with nine other agencies in Norfolk, the Lottery funded Help Through Crisis project offers advice and support to people living in Breckland and facing a crisis.

Advice Champions together with partners, offer specialist advice in the crisis areas of debt, welfare benefits, housing, mental health, drug and alcohol, domestic violence, disability and immigration. They manage the person's immediate crisis needs by helping them navigate around the specialist agencies and provide wrap around support to help build resilience and plan for the future. Visit www.ncab.org.uk/crisis

Advice and support is currently available by phone, email and Skype. Please contact [email protected] (Dereham Watton ) and [email protected] (Diss )

Lesley Penny Project Coordinator Mid & South Norfolk Advice & Support, Norfolk Citizens Advice Assembly Rooms, Ruthen Place, , NR19 2TX [email protected] www.ncab.org.uk/crisis Please note due to Covid-19, the office is closed and I am working remotely. My working days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Organisations urged to bid for vital funding to help domestic abuse and sexual violence victims More than £300,000 of funding has become available for services helping and supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in the county during the pandemic. The grant is part of a £25 million package being released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) across the country with Norfolk securing £306,000 to be managed and distributed through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN). The extraordinary Covid-19 funding covers the seven-month period between lockdown in late March 2020 to 31 October 2020 only – meaning some payments may be back dated. Welcoming the announcement Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Lorne Green, said: “My office has been working tirelessly over the past few weeks with our commissioned services to ensure victims and survivors of such abuse have continued to receive the help and support they truly deserve. Such support has included the funding of Pandora’s ‘live web chat’ facility, further roles at Leeway and working with partners to organise a live Q&A web event for those affected by domestic abuse. I am immensely proud of the work that has already taken place but further financial support from central government is always welcome as more can always be done. Together we must work to make a real difference and I would encourage organisations who meet the criteria to come forward.” PCCs will be required to carry out an ‘assessment of need’ for COVID-19 related emergency funding in relation to both sexual violence and domestic abuse support services in their local area. The process must be open to all relevant support organisations in the PCC area – and encourages funding requests from small specialist organisations that support groups with protected characteristics. The funds will be distributed as follows: Domestic abuse services that are already commissioned by the PCC - Norfolk has been allocated £153,000 out of a £10 million national fund.

Domestic abuse services that are not currently commissioned the PCC – Norfolk has been allocated £76,500 out of £5 million nationally.

Sexual violence services that are already commissioned by the PCC and those that are not currently funded by the PCC - Norfolk has been allocated £76,500 out of £5 million nationally.

The deadline for submission is 12 noon on Monday 1 June Continued on next page

Successful grants will be distributed from 18 June at the discretion of the PCC, to those who have demonstrated need from COVID-19, met the required criteria and have the appropriate governance in place. Further information and guidance on the scheme can be found on the Government website here: Police and Crime Commissioners Fund: guidance. How to apply and ask questions The OPCCN has sent up the following email address: [email protected] This is for organisations to request information, ask questions and send completed copies of the following ‘Excel Spreadsheet’ and ‘Application Check List’ / Police and Crime Commissioners Fund: Provider template (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 24.7KB) Applications and questions will only be addressed via email.

Suzanne Crannage Media and Communications Officer Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk t: 01953 425601 w: www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook

Gender Identity Resources http://www.norfolklgbtproject.co.uk/ http://www.norfolklgbtproject.co.uk/services/blah-lgbt-youth/ Support for people of all ages, plus a useful resources page. BLAH is the youth arm of the project. https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ Advice, videos and an advice line. https://gids.nhs.uk/ NHS information and guidance for young people, parents and professionals. https://www.map.uk.net/get-help/gender/ Advice, including a useful film. https://oasisnorfolk.com/ Oasis is Norfolk’s main transgender peer group. The organisation is mainly aimed at adults, but they have worked with partner organisations under the Barbara Ross Association developing resources for children and young people that want to explore their gender identity. https://bookriot.com/2019/03/06/childrens-books-about-gender-identity/ Brief summary of 15 books, fiction and non-fiction, exploring gender identify.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.norfolkcommunitycollege.co.uk

Call: 01493 419255

@NorfolkCommunityCollege @NorfolkCommColl @NorfolkCommunityCollege

We have launched a new NHS online Adult Social Care programme, in partnership with West College. This programme is available to anyone aged 18-30 (17-year olds will be considered on a case by case basis) and living in Suffolk. It is delivered online as a 3-week employment programme, focussing on a level 1 Adult Social Care qualification, CV/Interviews skills and employment outcomes with local care providers. Next Programmes: Monday 1st June – Friday 19th June 2020 Location: ONLINE Interviews: Phone Interviews prior to programme start date • Level 1 qualification in preparing to work in adult social care • An introduction to different adult care services, including roles and responsibilities • Learning the values, skills, and attitudes required for adult social care • Guaranteed job interview if you complete and pass the course • Boost employability skills and access employment opportunities • Doesn't affect your benefits and up to 6 months mentoring support! • LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE | To join the course YP can email: peter.hennessey@princes- trust.org.uk or register using this link: The Prince's Trust - Adult Social Care Tel: 01603 306 912 | Exn: 5156 | M: 07946 559 335

07884 141299 [email protected] www.thespectrumandme.com

Please find ADHD Training on the Services tab on the webpage: https://thespectrumandme.com

#operationnocoldshoulder

Are you (or is someone in your community) feeling lonely or isolated? There is FREE support that could help! Operation No Cold Shoulder is a year-long project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund that aims to tackle loneliness and social isolation. The project is being run by a partnership of Norfolk charitable organisations including Age UK Norfolk, Community Action Norfolk (CAN), Creative Arts East, Future Projects and West Norfolk Befriending.

The project is running from April 2020 to March 2021 and offers support to people in particular target areas of Norfolk; Swaffham, Litcham, Thetford, Dersingham, North King’s Lynn, and surrounding villages, Mile Cross in and Thorpe Hamlet in Norwich.

The support on offer is particularly important during the Covid-19 lockdown. Many people who are vulnerable are having to isolate themselves to keep safe and this can have an impact on their emotional wellbeing, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Operation No Cold Shoulder provides the following free support than can help;

Free Creative Wellbeing Packs Provided by Creative Arts East for people aged 18+. A series of postal packages containing creative arts activities to try at home, including music making, crafts, movement activities and more! No prior experience is needed. Call Lea or Sydney on 019953 713390 or email [email protected]

Free Telephone Befriending Provided by Age UK Norfolk for people aged 60+. Offering people aged 60 and over friendly conversation by telephone from a dedicated befriending volunteer. We call weekly for an enjoyable and stimulating chat. Call 01603 785 223 or email [email protected]

Free Befriending Support in West Norfolk Provided by West Norfolk Befriending for people aged 60+. Matching isolated older people age 60 and over with a volunteer befriender who can contact them on a regular basis (by phone during lockdown) – supporting socially isolated older people and their carers in West Norfolk. Call 01553 763500 or email [email protected]

Would you like to help lonely or socially isolated neighbours? There is FREE support that could help!

The project is offering free support for communities who would like to set up Good Neighbour Schemes in their area where volunteers help those most in need in their neighbourhood with practical support.

Free help to set up Good Neighbour Schemes Provided by Community Action Norfolk (CAN) Step-by-step support, advice, a resource pack and funding support to help a scheme get up and running along with ongoing advice and support including an option of online training sessions. Call Tracey on 01362 545024 or email [email protected]

Electric Umbrella TV - a charity challenging the perception about people with learning disabilities and enriching and empowering lives through music

Signing up to Electric Umbrella TV is free!!! “Electric Umbrella is a registered charity challenging the perception about people with learning disabilities and enriching and empowering lives through music. Based in South-West Hertfordshire and working across the county, we are combating social isolation by facilitating regular, meaningful social interaction for our adult members with learning disabilities as well as promoting self- confidence and independence. Join us daily for huge online helpings of fun, music and madness. Stay connected every weekday with programming that will keep everyone entertained and above all smiling. With our professional music makers and special guest slots we'll be looking at bringing you a fully interactive experience that means everyone can enjoy the company and have a real sense of connection. WANT TO WATCH AND JOIN US IN THE ZOOM ROOM? Simply logo in above or sign up to get your personal Electric Umbrella Account and free access to all the shows. ELECTRIC UMBRELLA TV 11.00-12.00 Weekdays Where fun meets music and chat. Join your hosts Tom Billington, Louise Harper and Euan Tees. Always different, always entertaining. Get up close and personal with a featured special guest from the world of music, film and theatre every Wednesday. Interact on ZOOM and watch on Facebook! SIGN UP TO WATCH THE ELECTRIC UMBRELLA SINGALONG 4pm - 5pm Weekdays It’s good for the soul, provides great company and contagious connection. Designed to lift your spirits whatever your mood. Join the party, make a request and sing your heart out. Live on ZOOM only!” https://www.electricumbrella.co.uk/

All non-essential shops to reopen from 15 June - PM All non-essential retailers will be able to reopen in England from 15 June, Boris Johnson has announced under plans to further ease the lockdown. Retailers will have to comply with new guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June. The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK has risen to 36,914. BBC Online, Sky News Online, All papers

Webinar: COVID-19 and ethnicity Tuesday 2 June, 9.30-11am

Some groups within our communities are being disproportionately affected by coronavirus. Increasing evidence and concern regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups (BAME) led to the announcement, early this month, of the Public Health England (PHE) Review on COVID-19 and BAME. The review, due to be published by the end of May, is led by Professor Kevin Fenton and will provide more robust data on the factors impacting COVID-19 cases and the severity of the outcomes for different groups in the population. In this webinar, we will hear from Professor Fenton on the outcomes of the review, before we discuss the important role of local government in mitigating the disproportionate risks posed by COVID-19 to our BAME communities.

Book your place for COVID-19 and ethnicity

Looking at our Budget Pressures Norfolk County Council

Tom McCabe, Head of Paid Services has said in his weekly Roundup that Covid 19 has put extra pressure on the County Council’s financial position. Of course, this is no great surprise but it is estimated that the full cost of the pandemic to Norfolk is in the region of £64M. Central Government has provided £44M but there is a £20M shortfall. This should also be considered in the light of a predicted funding gap of £39M, due to known decreases in central government funding.

The piece reassured that NCC was in a relatively good financial position prior to the pandemic but there are unknowns such as the central government funding announcement, usually in Autumn, on which we rely to a large extent for income.

Mr McCabe has asked that we think about any steps we might take which help to save money but continue to provide an excellent service to the people of Norfolk, even if these look different to those provided prior to lockdown.

Nature thriving during lockdown When leaving Carrow House recently, a Coroner’s service colleague heard a noise coming from the post box on the wall, a quick photo revealed a family of birds (possibly great tits or blue tits) nesting inside the

post box which is currently not being used!

Have a great week!

Brian 