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You can also read this online at http://citizen.slough.gov.uk/ Photo by Daniya Kayani Daniya by Photo 2 NEWS www..gov.uk Autumn 2019

You can also read this online at Slough’s priorities http://citizen.slough.gov.uk/ We are not alone We have a new Five Year Plan, where our vision is growing a place Slough Borough Council doesn’t work alone. of opportunity and ambition. As one member of the Slough Wellbeing Our priority outcomes - putting people first Board we team up with other local agencies including the police, as well as • Our children and young people will have the best start in life and voluntary sector groups to provide local opportunities to give them positive lives. services to you and make Slough a better • Our people will become healthier and will manage their own health, place to live, work and visit. care and support needs. You can find out more about how we work • Slough will be an attractive place where people choose to live, work with our partners on pages 5, 9 and 16. and visit. MyCouncil: 01753 475111 • Our residents will have access to good quality homes. • Slough will attract, retain and grow businesses and investment to provide jobs and opportunities for our residents. Citizen is produced by

Baylis and Stoke James Swindlehurst (Lab) Wayne Strutton (Con) Slough Borough Council Fiza A Matloob (Lab) 01753 532441 07580 361884 St Martins Place, 51 Bath Road, 07984 209529 [email protected] [email protected] Slough, SL1 3UF [email protected] Meadows Anna S Wright (Con) For more information call 01628 664929 / 07706 445629 Mohammed Nazir (Lab) Natasa Pantelic (Lab) Ruth Cross on 01753 875568 07958 794007 07745 398001 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Langley Kedermister or email [email protected] Sunyia Sarfraz (Lab) Dilbagh Singh Parmar (Lab) Preston Brooker (Lab) While every care is taken with submitted 07593 572028 07929 115379 07791 913555 material, no responsibility can be taken for [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] material lost or damaged. The views & Northborough Satpal S Parmar (Lab) Michael J Holledge (Lab) expressed in Citizen do not necessarily Rob Anderson (Lab) 01753 535278 / 07944 843543 01628 541590 / 07795 975740 reflect official Slough Borough Council policy. 01753 531649 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] with Harpreet K. Cheema Martin Carter (Lab) Avtar K Cheema (Lab) 07380 558258 07856 723037 07533 060322 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Langley St Mary’s Pavitar K Mann (Lab) Dexter J Smith (Con) Zaffar Ajaib (Lab) 07832 345887 01753 683542 / 07785 723764 07887 921992 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Central Elliman Harjinder Kaur Minhas (Lab) Safdar Ali (Lab) Arvind S Dhaliwal (Lab) 07455 994766 07904 963639 07920 485142 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ted Plenty (Lab) Shafiq A Chaudhry (Lab) Sabia Hussain (Lab) 07534 682295 01753 575766 / 07855 955250 07967 822124 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Upton Christine Hulme (Lab) Naveeda Qaseem (Lab) Balvinder Singh Bains (Lab) 07563 244730 07852 404038 07723 618402 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Farnham Jina Basra (Lab) Ruqayah Begum (Lab) Maroof Mohammad (Lab) 07305 545603 07926 080300 07539 569038 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Rajinder S Sandhu (Ind) Atiq Sandhu (Lab) Mohammed Rasib (Lab) 07956 839126 07931 797161 07877 551239 [email protected]

Find your ward councillor 2019-2020 councillor ward your Find [email protected] [email protected] Lea Mohammed Sharif (Lab) Waqas Sabah (Lab) Haqeeq A Dar (Lab) 07984 260582 07846 391279 07800 587851 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cippenham Green Foxborough Harjinder Gahir (Lab) Roger F Davis (Lab) Madhuri Bedi (Lab) 07599 551661 01628 542549 07980 493314 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Shabnum Sadiq (Lab) Nora Holledge (Lab) Haymill & Lynch Hill 07932 069484 [email protected] 01628 541590 / 07795 975730 Paul Kelly (Con) [email protected] 07947 435812 [email protected] Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk NEWS 3 Council leader James Swindlehurst

I hope you enjoy this latest edition of activities through the new Youth the Slough Citizen magazine. Despite Advisory Board (page 9), while events the British summer’s usual variable during Carers’ Week in June provided weather conditions, a bumper crop of opportunities for carers to access events and activities have borne fruit further support, advice and around the town - including Slough’s information. Horticultural Show, the Junior Park Run, Going into the autumn, the council will the weekly market now on the High be moving in to our new headquarters Street, ‘GoodGym’ volunteers cleaning on Windsor Road, a stone’s-throw from Stream, and ‘Friends of The Curve - its programme of autumn Herschel Park’s’ Tuesday volunteering - Councillor James Swindlehurst events and those for Black History all of which are featured in this edition. Month in October, are previewed on The council has also spent the summer page 17. While details of how to order refurbishing Manor Park Community tickets for the council’s Bonfire and Centre (see page 8) and has been Fireworks Spectacular on 2 November developing a ‘co-production network’ at Upton Court Park can be found on where users of adult social care page 20. There’s still plenty going on services help shape future provision around the borough over the weeks (page 4). Local young people are also ahead! helping shape future sports and leisure

Positive Ofsted ratings for early years providers All of Slough’s 44 early years and In Slough the 44 settings are rated as “It doesn’t matter where in the town childcare providers are now rated as the following: you live, there is either an outstanding either good or outstanding by Ofsted. • Children’s centres (10) = or good provider on your doorstep. This not only covers council run 1 Outstanding, 9 Good “It shows to parents that no matter providers including children’s centres • Independent schools (3) = which setting they choose for their and maintained nursery schools, but 1 Outstanding, 2 Good children, a great deal of effort is put also independent schools, private and • Private and voluntary (26) = into ensuring our children get the best voluntary childcare providers. 4 Outstanding, 22 Good possible start in life. Staff are extremely dedicated and are passionate about Once a provider is registered on the • Local authority maintained nursery what they do.” Early Years Register, Ofsted carries out schools (5) = 3 Outstanding, 2 Good. regular inspections to evaluate the To find out more about early years in Councillor Shabnam Sadiq, cabinet overall quality and standards of the Slough, visit member for children and schools, said: early years provision. Each setting then www.slough.gov.uk/council/joint- “This is fantastic news and just shows gets a rating of outstanding, good, strategic-needs-assessment/early- the excellent quality of care and early requires improvement or inadequate. education.aspx education our children get across the town.

Don’t forget you could be eligible for 15-30 hours free early years funding for your 2, 3 or 4 year old. Visit www.slough.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/free-early- education-for-3-and-4-year-olds.aspx 4 HEALTH, CARE AND SUPPORT www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Knife crime focus A teenager from Slough has The Safer Slough Partnership also reflected on taking part in a contributed evidence. national discussion about knife The purpose was to collate information crime. on the scale of the problem, Former Slough Youth Parliament prevention, possible interventions, representative, Susy Senghor, 16, is one social media and cultural influences, of just 11 members of the National and to consider possible solutions. Youth Select Committee, which plays a After the debate, speaking to BBC vital role in raising awareness of the , Susy, who is Vice Chair of the issues affecting young people across National Youth Select Committee, said: the UK. “I have always been really passionate The sessions were open to the public Following its call for evidence on the about knife crime. I realised it was and broadcast live on Parliament TV issue of knife crime - a key concern for becoming really normalised in my and UK Parliament YouTube. Susy also young people across the country, community. I thought to myself it is visited 10 Downing Street to discuss including in Slough, as highlighted by really just time to be the change. knife crime, and met the then Prime Minister Theresa May. the 2018 ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot of “All the victims I knew were either young people - the National Youth black or Asian and they were not gang Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member Select Committee held oral evidence affiliated. The families go through a lot; for housing and community safety, sessions in the House of Commons on 5 it is a very painful experience. said: “We are extremely proud Susy has and 12 July. represented Slough at the Houses of “The number of fatal stabbings last Parliament and now at Number 10 During the sessions the Youth Select year in England and Wales was the raising the importance issue of knife Committee considered evidence highest since data collection began in crime and we look forward to the contributed by young people, schools, 1946. I really hope there will be a production of the committee’s report.” businesses, and organisations change.” supporting both victims and offenders.

Working together: changing the way we engage with communities in Slough

A co-production network, where examples of co-produced services in As well as the co-production network, professionals and people who use Slough, and it is something we are we have also co-designed a toolkit to services work in equal partnership to aiming to do more of with the help of assist health and social care design, deliver and review services, is the co-production network. professionals in engaging with the thriving. local people who use services. The The co-production network aims to: toolkit can be found at The network was set up in March by • shape local health and social care www.slough.gov.uk/health-and-social- the council’s adult social care services care/co-production.aspx department, together with health • really listen and engage with local partners. people Later in the year we will be hosting a wider community engagement event. It is made up of senior adult social care • make decisions about services If you would like to find out more or officers and health staff together with together join us, please email 10 volunteers from the local • work with and engage the wider [email protected] or call Beth community with experience of health community. Reed, community partnerships and and social care services. development officer, on 01753 875538. The group have met three times so far, and have begun to work together in equal partnership; a new approach to the way we engage with our communities. An important part of working in this way is recognising that we are learning from the experience and everyone who is involved. There are some great Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk NEWS 5 No need to overpay for document check

Residents are being quoted £250 The registrar’s office at The Curve will • you will then be able to make an for document checks by local scan and verify your passport or application for pre-settled or settled solicitors to help EU citizens with biometric residence card to confirm status by yourself, using the link in a valid EU passport and their non- your identity so you can then make an the email you will receive after using EU family members with a application to the EU Settlement our service. Scheme. You must not start your EU biometric residence card, to apply Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for Settlement Scheme application before to the EU Settlement Scheme. planning and regulation, said: “I am you attend this appointment. shocked that residents who are However, you do not need to pay this This is a walk-in service - so no concerned about Brexit and their amount as the council offers identity appointments are necessary, between residency would be quoted such a high document scanning for residents 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, at price for a service we will provide for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme Slough Register Office, The Curve, 2nd £20. It’s important our residents aren’t for £20. Floor, Slough, SL1 1XY. taken advantage of when feeling vulnerable at a time like this. Please bring with you to your appointment: “We offer a drop in service and will go • your current valid EU passport or if through the application process with you are a non EU family member any resident who needs help.” then you need to bring your valid For more information visit biometric residence card www.slough.gov.uk/births-marriage- • a mobile phone that can receive text deaths/eu-settlement-scheme- messages or a device that can 2019.aspx receive your emails - you will need to access the text or email while at your appointment Keeping our town centre

In the autumn of 2018, the future of Improvement District (BID), and a working hard to keep the High Street Slough Town Centre became a key range of community initiatives and clean, safe and vibrant whilst our strategic focus for the council and its events from The Curve and Home partners develop large scale partners with the launch of the clean, Slough. regeneration plans. safe, vibrant initiative. This is only the beginning, the physical “Getting a yes vote from businesses for Since then work has been underway to regeneration will bring with it new the BID will generate around £2million deliver a ‘meanwhile’ strategy which homes, leisure and retail to make for High Street improvements over the focuses on tackling antisocial Slough Town Centre a destination of next five years, including security and behaviour, keeping the town centre choice. However, this cannot happen keeping the town centre clean. clean and free from litter and overnight, it will take time. “And there are lots of events developing initiatives to encourage Our aim is to make Slough an attractive happening in the town centre, thanks residents and visitors to keep visiting place where people choose to live, to Arts Council funding for HOME Slough while we await large scale work and stay. A place which attracts, Slough. Our very own Curve has a regeneration plans. retains and grows businesses and programme bursting with activities, This has included putting in place a investment to provide opportunities for events and shows, so why not have a monthly market, keeping the town our residents. look at their programmes and get vibrant through vinyl wraps on empty involved.” Councillor Martin Carter, cabinet shop units, winning funding from the member for inclusive growth and skills, For more information on events in the Government for the Open Doors said: “Slough like many town centres town centre, visit project, a YES vote from the town across the UK is facing an increasingly www.thecurveslough.com and centre businesses for a Business difficult economic climate but we are https://homeslough.org.uk/ 6 NEWS www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Annual canvass - reply now

Slough Borough Council has Those who haven’t responded to their “If you’re not currently registered, your begun the annual canvass for the household enquiry form with details of name will not appear on the enquiry Register of Electors. who is eligible to vote at a property will form. If you want to register, the receive a visit from one of the council’s easiest way is online at A household enquiry form was sent to canvassers between 14 October and 27 www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll every property in the borough in November. send you information explaining how August, with details of everyone to do this in the post. In any case, you All canvassers will be wearing high currently registered to vote at the will still need to complete the enquiry visibility jackets and carry property. form and send it back to us.” identification to confirm who they are. The form gives residents the They will be asking you to update your People are required by law to respond opportunity to add any new names or information on their new electronic to the household enquiry form and remove any out of date information so tablets rather than paper forms, and anyone who doesn’t could be fined up the electoral register is up to date. will be able to register any new to £1,000. You could also be refused Follow up forms are being sent this residents. This technology has only credit, mobile phone, mortgage or a month (September) and anyone in the been brought in this year but will loan if your name doesn’t appear on household who is 16 or over can ensure all your information is stored the electoral register. securely. respond to it, even if there are no For more information, visit changes to be made. Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader www.slough.gov.uk/council/voting- A new register of electors will be of the council, said: “To make sure you and-elections/annual-canvass- published on 1 December and the are able to have your say at the 2019.aspx council needs to ensure all properties elections next year, simply check the have responded to ensure the register form when it arrives and respond as is up to date. soon as you can. Smart motorway Modern Slavery Work to deliver 32 miles of new smart motorway started a year ago and activity is now underway all along the route. is closer than you think... This includes preparatory work on structures and verges, installation of new technology and construction work on the carriageway. Progress has been made on the western section between junctions 8/9 to 12 and work recently started on the eastern part of the scheme. There are major milestones ahead this autumn with the start of main work to replace several bridges getting underway. There are several bridges in the Slough area and the first of these to be demolished will be recreation ground overbridge by Upton Court Park. This closed on 9 September and pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted to Datchet Road Modern slavery is the exploitation of people bridge until the work is complete in late summer 2020. for personal or commercial gain. There will be closures of the M4 over the weekends of 27-30 IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE WORLD. September (Junctions 5 to 6), and 15-18 November and 29 IT HAPPENS IN THE UK. IT HAPPENS IN SLOUGH. November to 2 December (Junctions 6 to 8/9) to allow for the IS IT HAPPENING ON YOUR DOORSTEP? demolition and construction of bridges between junctions 8/9 To find out more visit unseenuk.org and 5 with more to come in 2020 and 2021. To find help, or report modern slavery call the helpline. From spring 2022, the completed smart motorway will increase capacity, reduce congestion and deliver more reliable journeys. 0800 0121 700 Read more about the scheme at Calls are free from landlines and most mobile networks https://highwaysengland.co.uk/ projects/m4-junctions-3-12-smart-motorway Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk NEWS 7 Five star food hygiene

A busy few months of inspections This includes: has led to hundreds of premises • handling of food being given a five star food • how food is stored hygiene rating. • how food is prepared In Slough there are approximately • cleanliness of facilities • how food safety is managed. 1,000 premises subject to food hygiene “The stickers give the public confidence inspections, including restaurants, Based on the risk of each premises, about the places they choose to buy takeaways, supermarkets, school approximately 300 will be visited and consume cooked food from, canteens, staff canteens, nurseries, annually. Currently 84 per cent of food knowing they have been inspected and care providers, butchers, grocers, businesses are generally compliant and they are complying with food hygiene caterers, food businesses in private there are 341 premises across the law.” houses, mobile caterers, guest houses, borough with a rating of five. cinemas and religious centres. A zero rating is at the bottom of the Councillor Pavitar K Mann, cabinet scale, meaning urgent improvement is The ratings are a snapshot of the member for planning and regulatory necessary. standards of food hygiene found at the services, said: “Well done to all of our Visit www.slough.gov.uk/pests- time of inspection by the council’s food five star rated premises and those pollution-and-food-hygiene/food- safety team. It is the responsibility of working to improve their score to be at hygiene-rating.aspx to see the latest the business to comply with food least a three, which is generally five star ratings or search at hygiene law at all times. satisfactory. Food hygiene standards https://ratings.food.gov.uk are a really important way to show how hygienic and safe premises that serve food are. Impressive parks retain awards

Herschel, Salt Hill and Pippins Parks This international award is a sign to know how much hard work from our have been recognised again by the the public that the space boasts the parks team and volunteers goes into Green Flag Award scheme as some of highest possible environmental maintaining our green spaces to such a the very best in the world. standards, is beautifully maintained high standard. Having award winning and has excellent visitor facilities. spaces really contributes to the health Salt Hill Park has had a green flag since and wellbeing of residents and visitors 2010 and this is the 9th green flag for Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for to our borough.” Pippins Park and for Herschel Park the health and wellbeing, said: “We are so 8th year of being in receipt of the award. proud of our award winning parks and Ian Judd, Herschel Park management officer, said: “It is testament to all the hard work the volunteers and Friends of Herschel Park put into the park. I would very much like to pass on my thanks to each of them for all of the time and effort they pour into the park to keep it looking at its best.” The volunteers are in the park on Tuesdays from 10am to 3pm, with tea and biscuits provided. Volunteers should bring a packed lunch and wear stout footwear and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Visit www.slough.gov.uk/parks to see where all our lovely parks are located. In Herschel Park - Gerald Pleace (the council’s parks and open spaces manager), Robert Brannan There are also accessibility guides (volunteer), John McDowell (volunteer), Christine Fox (volunteer), Metta Voight (Secretary Friends many of our parks and open spaces. of Herschel Park and volunteer), Darren Beavers (Chairman of Friends of Herschel Park and volunteer) and Ian Judd (the council’s Herschel Park management officer). 8 NEWS www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Refurbished community centre to reopen for bookings

Manor Park Community Centre is what is needed in their area. This is the main hall able to accommodate up to due to reopen in the coming next phase of the Manor Park 80 people. redevelopment plan to complement weeks following refurbishment The centre offers special rates on the new Manor Park Pavilion and the works. children’s birthday parties, day time expansion of the nursery. I look bookings and religious, charity and The centre in Villiers Road has been forward to seeing residents enjoying community events. upgraded, with new windows, kitchen the updated facilities.” floors and toilet facilities installed. To find out more, search ‘community Manor Park Community Centre offers centres for hire’ at www.slough.gov.uk The council held a consultation in the excellent facilities for residents who Manor Park area in 2017 to find out need space for their events, whether For enquiries and bookings, contact the what community facilities residents private, commercial, or community. The bookings team on 01753 875762 / would like to see in their local area. A rooms available vary in size, with the 01753 875401. key area of feedback was for more space to hire for community events, parties and meetings. The first phase of work involved the refurbishment and opening of the new community facility Manor Park Pavilion and expansion of the nursery at Manor Park Community Centre. This was completed last year. James Swindlehurst, leader of the council and cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, said: “We are extremely pleased to be delivering this refurbishment for our residents working from their own suggestions of Time to sign up to new landlord licence

Landlords can benefit from an early gas safe certificate, as well as provide accommodation in Slough habitable for bird discount if they apply for their contact details so tenants can get sometimes the most vulnerable property licence before 1 October. problems fixed. members of society.” Slough Borough Council is committed Licences last for five years. HMO If a landlord doesn’t have a licence, the to ensuring all residents have access to licences, for a property of up to six tenant is within their rights to claim safe and good quality housing. To rooms, will cost £450, with an any rent they have paid from 1 July. deliver this commitment, two new additional charge of £30 per extra Eviction notices are also invalid if property licensing schemes came into room. Licences for the selective scheme produced by a landlord without a force from 1 July. in Chalvey and Central wards will cost licence. £200. This means all Houses in Multiple After 1 October landlords will be Occupation (HMOs) across Slough will Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member committing an offence and can be require a licence and so will landlords for housing and community safety, prosecuted, facing fines of up to of rental properties within the said: “This is not a money making £30,000. designated area covering parts of scheme for the council. The fees are Apply for a licence at Chalvey and Central wards. being ring fenced for the sole purpose www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences- of bringing up standards of properties Landlords have to provide evidence and-permits/property-licensing.aspx in Slough. This is about making their property is safe and has a valid Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk NEWS 9 Hooray for horticulture

The sun was shining for Slough and photography. Competition entries • Best Vegetable exhibit - Maxine Horticultural Show at Lascelles were up 36 per cent on last year, with Packer Park. more residents becoming involved in • Grundon Challenge Cup - Michaela each of the different categories. Temple The Mayor of Slough, Councillor Avtar • Highest number of points Cookery - Kaur Cheema, purchased from various Arbor the 18ft tall tree puppet was a Gwenda Cornish stalls and had a tour of the show and popular part of the show. competition entries on 17 August. She As well as giving three • Most points under 7yrs - Reuben also presented the best in show award performances throughout Antao-Bento alongside Norman Grundon. the day, he could be found • Most points 7-11yrs - Lily-May Wall walking the park, and the • Herschel Challenge Cup - Rozina subject of many selfies! As Khalid part of his main show he • Youth Challenge Best Scarecrow - encouraged the audience 153 Squadron Air Cadets - with to plant and nurture their own trees, Simba from the Lion King. Arbor gave each person a sapling to take home, leaving a legacy that will last for generations. Arbor’s performance by theatre company Smoking Apples was sponsored by HOME Slough as part of their community festivals development Basil and Crew’s mobile farm, the fun program. fair, and small car racing track were The horticultural show was a massive hits with younger visitors, and partnership between the council and the Elite Drummers and Squadron Air the Slough Allotment Federation. Cadets drew in a large crowd of all ages with their arena performances. The overall competition winners were: • Best in Show - Nick Bird There were lots of competitions to • Most Points Horticultural Classes - enter, from home grown produce and Autar Somal plants to baking, brewing, art, craft Youth Advisory Board Young people have a voice in Academy, said: “We’re working on two The group meet monthly, with shaping the provision of sport in main manifesto projects for the sessions often including some form Slough thanks to the new Youth summer, one is a video highlighting of physical activity. Advisory Board. more modern and alternative sport in There are still opportunities to join Slough, such as parkour, yoga, water Set up by the council’s Active Slough the Active Slough Youth Advisory sports and skateboarding. team in March, the group is made up Board (ASYAB). If you’re interested or of 11-17 years old from across the “The second is a promotional know a young person who would borough who have a passion for campaign highlighting the benefits of benefit from the experience of being improving their local community physical activity on young people’s on the board, please contact active through increased sport and physical mental health. These are our ideas and communities officer, Ciaran Crean, on activity opportunities. we’re encouraged to be as creative as 01753 875784 or email possible!” [email protected] They have had a busy first few months, helping to support the delivery of the inaugural Slough 5k Fun Run and annual Playday event in Salt Hill Park. Newly elected board chair, Emma Wilson, 15, who attends Langley The Youth Advisory Board with Active Slough’s Ciaran Crean 10 NEWS www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 A sense of the place In October last year, we launched a place survey - a survey of residents to find out what you think of your local area and council services. It was 10 years since we had done a comprehensive survey like this and we stuck to mainly the same questions so we could show how far we had come, or fallen back, in the last 10 years. This is what you said:

We’ve done well People are happier with our leisure facilities and parks and open spaces than they were in 2008. Libraries, The Curve, green gyms, events like the bonfire night and bin collections also scored high for satisfaction levels. And a large majority of people feel Slough residents of different Not so good Other highlights backgrounds get on well together and again the majority are satisfied with Road and pavement repairs and • If you want to contact us, most their area as a place to live. Most parking enforcement were the main people use the phone though online people like their home as well. areas where people were more comes in closer than 10 years ago. dissatisfied than 10 years ago. Slough residents appear to be a happy • You like it when we post relevant bunch as the happiness rating from A large minority were also dissatisfied information through your door - but questions asked puts Slough people with our customer service centre and you also use our website and local happier, more satisfied with their lives facilities for cycling. newspapers to get information on and feeling like what they do matters And Slough residents, though happier what we are up to. more than the national average. than the national average, also worry • Younger people like to talk to us on more than the national average. social media or online. • Abandoned cars are far less of an issue than they were in 2008. • Three-quarters of people feel safe in their local area during the day. • Only a third feel safe after dark. • Concerns about drug dealing are higher than they were a decade ago. • Affordable housing is most important to you as are health services, levels of crime and clean streets. • The things you feel most need improving are traffic congestion, levels of crime and road and pavement repairs. Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk NEWS 11

What next?

Now, service leads across the council And there is a major project to upgrade and no speed bumps to help traffic are looking at the results for their and redevelop the council’s website, flow better in that area. departments and seeing if there are making it easier to find the information And we have invested in sustainable suitable projects or work that would you want and easier to make transport with the new rapid bus improve areas people are most payments, report issues and get scheme along the A4 Bath Road from concerned about or most unhappy feedback 24 hours a day, all year the train station, supported by with. round. businesses along the A4 corridor. This Citizen We have already started moving teams helps deliver faster and more reliable into our new HQ at 25 Windsor Road, in transport along the A4 for The majority of people said they like the town centre and, to mark Slough’s commuters, office workers and to receive information about what history, have named it Observatory residents; meaning fewer people the council is up to through their House - in honour of William and driving on the roads at peak time. door, so a decision was made to fund Caroline Herschel, brother and sister To assist the free flow, in particular the council’s magazine - Citizen - to astronomers whose original for buses, we have installed bus lane be delivered to people’s door four Observatory House, which stood on the cameras along main routes, times a year, as well as being same site in the late 18th century, increased parking restrictions and available online. housed the largest telescope of its kind introduced residents’ parking where in the world at the time. Easier to contact requested. We have stepped up Not only does the move to the new HQ investment for repairing the roads To take more control over our bring our staff into the town centre, and dealing with potholes. customer services, we are taking the but with the public transport links and customer service centre, council tax, nearby parking, makes them more More to come benefits and business rates back in accessible for residents. house and, in 2020, will be moving We are also planning specific projects the face-to-face centre from Congestion for some of your biggest concerns Landmark Place, across the road to and more information on these will Cornwall House. Our plans to upgrade the roads to be in future Citizens. prevent congestion are ongoing. We And in October 2020 we hope to We will also be providing hubs in have recently started work in Langley survey people again - to see if any of local areas - where council services to remove the Harrow Market our work has improved matters for can be closer to you, the people we roundabout and replace it with a traffic you. serve. light junction with pedestrian crossings

The place survey • A survey by post. • Sent to specific addresses across the borough. • More than 1,700 responses; enough to be considered representative of the borough as a whole. 12 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Bright futures start in early years and childcare Want a job you love? Are you thinking of Building a more diverse starting a career in early years? Perhaps you early years workforce The council is keen to attract more are looking to switch career and want to male workers into childcare and early years. Men working in the sector have work with children, giving Slough’s next a great deal to offer and provide opportunities for a more gender generation the best start in life? balanced workforce. Children need good role models, both male and female, but nationally men only make up two per cent of the early years and childcare workforce. Men in childcare can encourage different approaches to learning and play and provide a positive balance for children. They can reduce gender stereotypes and change perceptions of the childcare industry. Case study - Richard Richard is part of a management team that runs two afterschool clubs, a holiday club and a nursery in Slough. “I always wanted to be a teacher but wasn’t sure if working with children is something I would enjoy. My opportunity to work with children came about through a friend’s mum who pointed me in the direction of a local nursery which was looking for staff. I enjoyed the job so much that I Whatever your reasons, working in with children requires a lot of slowly progressed by getting qualified early years and childcare can be fun, dedication, patience and enthusiasm. and becoming a member of the exciting and incredibly rewarding, with Some of the most common positions management team. lots of different job opportunities found in childcare include working across the sector. “Working with children creates a within nurseries and schools, within different experience each day. My job So, if you’ve often wondered whether pre-schools and playgroups, can be challenging and sometimes you could make the switch and change childminding and playwork. frustrating but the children always to a career in early years and childcare, make it fun and interesting. you might be surprised at just how Working with children easy it could be. information session “I don’t want to limit myself to specific aspirations for my childcare career but There are many different roles • Monday 25 November, there are certainly options for me to associated with the profession, ranging 6.30pm-8.30pm progress as I have a level 5 in Playwork from managerial roles to hands-on If you are considering a career in early and I’m an EYT (Early Years Teacher assistant jobs. Of course, if you intend years and childcare but would like Status). My opportunities in childcare to work in early years and childcare, it’s more information, book onto one of have presented themselves in a very safe to say you think you’re good the information sessions about natural way so I’m happy to allow my working with children. But it’s best to ‘working with children’ at career to carry on in that way as it’s have an idea of a more specific role, so www.eventbrite.co.uk. Search the been great so far.” you can make the most of your skills event code 64660484249. and strengths, particularly as working Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 13

Case study - Michelle Michelle has been a childminder for more than 10 years looking after Early Help children in her own home. “I worked in business travel for 20 The Early Help Hub in Slough Early intervention and prevention years looking after multi-million pound Borough Council supports requires everyone to work together accounts for big industries. Yes it was a children, young people and so we can make a positive difference. difficult decision as I loved my job, but their families through provision For us, children, young people and it was most definitely the right of universal and targeted their families are the key players in decision, I felt I wanted more, I wanted services. our team, along with our partners to feel I was doing more and I wanted who may include: to work in a job that was more This includes: • schools rewarding for me and for others. • groups and services across Slough • health Childminding ticked these boxes. children’s centres • young people’s services • information, advice and guidance “It’s the hardest job I have ever done • housing through the Family Information • Home-Start. but it’s so rewarding to play a part in a Service child's life, become part of a wider • targeted family support If you would like to know more about family unit and support them as the us or have accessed our services and child develops. It is an amazing • early years SEND outreach support. want to provide feedback, we would privilege and this all happens whilst love to hear from you. Please call you are earning an income and having Our vision is for all children, young 01753 476569. fun from your own home.” people and families to be: • self-reliant, confident and resilient Concerns • thriving and Where there are significant/urgent More information physically/emotionally well concerns about the safety of a child When working in early years and • reaching their maximum potential or children you should use the childcare, there are certain positions • living in safe and strong families following contacts. where you will need appropriate and communities. Office hours (Monday - Friday) qualifications to fulfil the Support is provided in a number of 9am to 5pm requirements of the role. ways, including: • Call the Front Door Hub on For more information about the • signposting and referral to 01753 875362. various different career options and partner agencies qualification requirements in early • supporting and handholding into Outside office hours years and childcare visit the National community services • Call the Emergency Duty Team on Careers Service at • assessing need through Early Help 01344 786543, email https://nationalcareersservice. Assessment [email protected] or direct.gov.uk/ • team around the family approach dial 999. If you would like to explore • direct work with children, young qualification routes please contact people and families. Windsor Forest College Group via www.windsor- forest.ac.uk/courses/health-caring- and-child-care/332-childcare- 24159.html For further information about careers and jobs in early years and childcare in Slough visit www.slough.gov.uk/schools-and- learning/working-in-early-years- and-childcare.aspx or book to attend one of the information session about working with children, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search the event code 64660484249. Telephone: 01753 476554 Email: [email protected] 14 NEWS www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Hidden Pearls autism group

Autism Berkshire has launched a “The group aims to combat social Cippenham Lane from 7-9pm, on social group for autistic adults isolation and loneliness among autistic alternate Tuesdays. adults in Slough, by providing a focus who live in Slough. If you would like to become a member of support for them locally, rather than of the Hidden Pearls group, or would The group, called Hidden Pearls, is for them having to travel outside the town like more information, contact Autism anyone aged 18 and above, with or not taking part in any regular social Berkshire’s projects executive, Sarah meetings held on alternate Tuesday activities. We would also like to thank Brown, on 01189 594594 or email evenings at the Earl of Cornwall in the Earl of Cornwall pub for making us [email protected] Cippenham. so welcome.” For more on Autism Berkshire, visit The group was launched with the The first meeting was on 11 June. www.autismberkshire.org.uk support of Slough Borough Council’s Future meetings will run at the pub in autism practice lead Geraldine Smith, and funding from the Slough SPACE project, which provides a range of support, advice and information for residents of the borough and is coordinated by the Slough Council for Voluntary Services. Sarah Brown, from Autism Berkshire, said: “We would like to thank SPACE for supporting Autism Berkshire to facilitate and help grow the existing small social group in Slough, which has been renamed by the members as Hidden Pearls. O2 inspiring young people A group of local young people recently had their career appetites whetted with a special career development day at telecommunications giant O2’s head office in Slough. The event, which included talks from various O2 employees from across the business, interactive sessions and a tour of the site on Slough’s Trading Estate, was organised by O2 in partnership with Slough Children’s Services Trust. It is part of the trust’s work to create from the event. We’d like to thank O2 engaged, polite and enthusiastic with, enrichment opportunities for their for a really brilliant day and also invite I’m sure, the potential to go far. My young people, get them valuable work any other local companies who think colleagues were really impressed. They experience and help them to think they can support our young people, too got a lot out of this.” about their future. whether that’s through training, Our young people have a lot to offer Hardip Sandhar, assistant team apprenticeships or work experience, to local companies and are interested in a manager with the trust, who helped get in touch.” wide variety of work areas. organise the day, said: “We’re really Elisabeth Rochford, Social Impact aspirational for our young people. They If you work for a business which can Manager at O2, said: “The day was a have so much potential and the group offer similar work opportunities, please huge success - the group was so who went along to O2 got so much email [email protected] Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk WHAT’S ON 15 Junior parkrun on Sundays

This popular national initiative great to see the enthusiasm from all launched at Salt Hill Park in July, our junior runners, most of whom are courtesy of the council’s Active completely new to parkrun. From the Slough team and a group of very first week there has been a real committed local volunteers. community feel and friendly atmosphere, we want as many families It provides free weekly 2km timed runs as possible to come down and for children aged 4-14 at 9am every experience it! The weekly events can’t Sunday. Parents are welcome to run, run without the support of volunteers jog or walk alongside their children but and we’re always on the lookout for must not cross the finish line, to ensure more. It’s very rewarding and only only children’s finish times are officially takes a couple of hours. Please contact recorded. us via salthill- Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet [email protected] to register your interest.” advance at member for health and wellbeing, said: www.parkrun.org.uk/register “It’s fantastic to see junior parkrun Free parking is available at Salt Hill launch in Slough. It’s a great chance for Park. All junior parkrun finishers aged This will provide them with a unique families to get out together on a 4-14 are eligible to receive 20 per cent individual parkrun barcode, which Sunday morning and they can always off activities at Salt Hill Activity Centre must be presented at the end of the stay on afterwards to enjoy the other on presentation of their barcode on run in order for a time to be recorded facilities available in Salt Hill Park, Sundays. against their name. including our new activity centre.” Before joining the group on Sunday More information on the route and Ciaran Crean, co-event director of mornings, runners need to register in volunteering opportunities is available Slough’s junior parkrun, said: “It’s been at www.parkrun.org.uk/salthill-juniors A year of community spirit Runners with GoodGym Slough marked say about the past year is that I have community. I can’t wait to see how the their one year anniversary with a loved every Monday evening. Spending group grows over the coming years bumper turn out for a task helping the it with what truly are some of the and I hope to get along to a task Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. nicest, funniest, good-hearted people myself soon.” you will ever meet. Thirty runners turned up at Salt Hill The group is always keen to help more Park to put on waders and litter pick “I love the diversity of runners we have community groups. If you have a task the Salt Hill Stream, to dig holes and in Slough. Our team consists of new in mind for them, get in touch with move logs to build insect homes and to graduates, experienced runners to Manjit by emailing do a litter pick of the park. some who have hardly run at all; [email protected] runners in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s GoodGym was brought to Slough with You can register to join GoodGym and even one runner in her 80s; we the help of the council’s public health Slough in advance at have runners with young families to team. It is a group of community www.goodgym.org/areas/slough and runners with older children and three minder runners who like to keep fit meet the group at their Salt Hill Activity GoodGym babies will be born this year while doing good. They run to a task, Centre base on Mondays at 6.30pm. too! Whatever their reason to run and spend about 40 minutes helping out, do good is, all I can say is I am truly and run back to base. What has the group grateful for their ongoing commitment In the celebratory run report, Manjit and support to GoodGym Slough.” achieved in a year? Birk, run leader, said: “All I can really • 819 good deeds - around 350 hours Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet of voluntary work. member for health and wellbeing, said: “I am so pleased to see GoodGym • 22 different community groups Slough has gone from strength to helped in Slough. strength over the course of a year. The • Three runners trained to become dedication of the runners who turn up run leaders. each week is impressive and they really • Six runners have become task force do make a great contribution to our team members - so can organise and lead smaller voluntary activities. 16 HEALTH, CARE AND SUPPORT www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019 Helping carers get connected

Carers were the focus of a week Other activities throughout the week Krispy Kreme, Jas Beauty, The Curve, of activity to show them what included a beatboxing and rapping The Fragrance Shop and Nail Spa. help and support is available music workshop, a screening of the Businesses can display a window locally. film Mamma Mia, mindfulness sticker to show they are participating in sessions, a drop-in coffee morning, as the scheme. During carers week, 35 During Carers Week from 8-16 June, a well as free sports and leisure taster new people signed for a discount card. range of events were organised by sessions for carers at the council’s To find out more, visit Slough Carers Support and their leisure sites. partners to help carers get connected. www.sloughcarerssupport.co.uk Slough Borough Council’s young carers More than 200 people attended the coordinator facilitated a number of Berkshire hidden carers events, with the main one at Arbour young carer awareness raising sessions campaign Park bringing together statutory during the week at school assemblies, East Berkshire and Berkshire West agencies, voluntary organisations and as well as holding information stands Clinical Commissioning Groups, businesses. This was to help carers get at supermarkets and council buildings. connected to advice and information, together with Signal4Carers, launched services in the community, and to The week was also a chance to this campaign during carers week. recognise the hard work and promote digital resources for carers via The campaign aims to ensure people contribution carers make to the www.carersdigital.org (accounts can who are carrying out caring community and their loved ones. be created using the code DGTL4366). responsibilities recognise themselves Speaking afterwards, Alan Sinclair, the Carers Rights Day will be held on 21 as carers and get the help available to council’s director of adults and November to help carers know their them. rights and find out how to get the help communities, said: “It was good to be Messages appeared on the back of and support they are entitled to. there and supporting carers week and local buses and on their interior local groups. I’m glad there was a good To find out more about the ongoing screens, with the strapline, ‘I’m her turnout and there was clearly a good support available to carers throughout son/daughter, not her carer’. They also buzz in the room.” the year register at showed a Freephone number, with The week also saw a workshop called www.sloughcarerssupport.co.uk calls going to Signal4Carers who can ‘Simple Ways to Support Carers’ take Carers Discount Card signpost people to local organisations place to raise awareness of how who can help. employers and organisations can Slough Carers Support offer a discount The Freephone number - 0800 1337851 better support carers, both in the card for carers, giving them discounts - is open from 10am-4pm weekdays, workplace and in the community. One from local businesses. The number of with a message facility for evenings employer subsequently decided to offers have increased from 16 to 22, and weekends. implement a carers policy across all 60 with new ones including Gino’s Cafe, of its UK branches. Building Better Opportunities for Slough residents

Building Better Opportunities is a three unitary authorities in East June 2020. However, the funders The project that helps people who are Berkshire. National Lottery Community Fund and furthest from the labour market to find European Social Fund, have extended In 2017, Slough Borough Council and work, training and employment the project for another two years, up to partners were successful in securing a opportunities. June 2022, with an additional £878,000 grant of £878,000 to work with at least of external grant funding. It is focused on people with multiple 260 participants in Slough, Bracknell disadvantages who are aged 25 and and RBWM. This will allow us to continue to deliver over and unemployed. the project beyond the original date To date, the project has successfully and to increase the number of people The project brings together trusted and assisted more than 100 people with a we help. experienced local voluntary and range of needs - including people with community sector organisations, and learning disabilities, mental health If you would like more information delivers job coaching, training and issues and ex-offenders - to find work about the project, please contact employment support. and training opportunities. community development manager Zulf Awan on [email protected] The project is a partnership across the The project was due to complete in Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk WHAT’S ON 17 Keep busy with Slough Libraries and Culture For tickets, or to see the activity brochure and find out more about all our regular events, visit www.thecurveslough.com, or follow Slough Libraries and The Curve on social media. Are you getting the most from your library card? Anyone who lives, works or studies in Slough is welcome to join We’re also excited to offer a new free film streaming service - Kanopy. Slough Libraries free of charge. You can sign up at your local library, Get access to thousands of movies with your library card. Simply add or you can join online on the Slough Libraries website right now! your card and PIN on https://slough.kanopy.com or download the You can get more than just books at Slough Libraries and Culture! Kanopy app. Head to the Slough Libraries website for details about all Your library membership gives you access to eAudiobooks, our free e-resources. audiobooks, eComics and eMagazines, all for free. Introducing Hublets to our libraries! Hublets are tablets which library members can access in the library. Simply put your library card number in and use the tablet to access all of our online resources. Read, listen and watch on a Hublet in the library! Have you been to Black History Month ‘SAFE’ with Derek Owusu Saturday 5 October, 3pm, The Curve The Curve yet? Writer and poet, Derek Owusu, contributor and editor of SAFE: The Curve may have been around for a few years now, but do On Black British Men Reclaiming Space and new Merky Books you know what you can do there? author, will be in conversation with Nels Abbey, author of Think Like a White Man. Free. Library @ The Curve • Specially designed children’s library with weekly activities COBO: Comedy Shut Down such as Music and Story Times. Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm, The Curve Join Kat B, Junior Booker, Aurie Styla and Special P for an • More than 44,000 books to choose from. evening of laughter. Age 16+. General admission £15. • Spacious study area. Kure Kure/Faraway • A host of online resources - easily accessible through one of Friday 18 October, 7.30pm, The Curve the 35 public computers. The multi-talented Anna Mudeka takes audiences on an • Plenty of seating and a nice garden area. exhilarating, inspiring and thought provoking journey to Gallery @ The Curve ancient and modern-day Zimbabwe, and speaks of the challenges and opportunities of starting a new life in a • Purpose built exhibition space which hosts a range of different country. Tickets from £9. displays from photography to local art. Can I Touch Your Hair? Slough Museum Saturday 19 October, 7.30pm, The Curve • Look out for local history pods throughout The Curve with Join Lekhani on her hair journey as she discovers that she can’t interesting facts and information on the history of Slough wash her hair with 99p Alberto Balsam, that some white and the local area. people actually do find her hair distracting, to finally accepting her Afro hair. Venue @ The Curve • Look out for performances, theatre, pantomimes, Stories from Africa exhibitions and a whole range of other events in Venue @ Tuesday 29 October, 1.30pm at Britwell Library and 4pm at The Curve. Sign up to the e-newsletter at Langley Library www.thecurveslough.com to be the first to know about Join Freshwater Theatre to explore two stories: ‘How Anansi events and activities. became King of all the Stories’ and ‘How the Zebra got his Stripes’ through role play, tableaux and more! Tickets £2.

/sloughlibraries /thesloughcurve @sloughlibraries @TheCurveSlough 18 HEALTH, CARE AND SUPPORT www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019

Visit the public health website at www.publichealthslough.co.uk

Slough in Motion HPV has been rolled out to busting head to www.publichealthslough.co.uk/ The public health team is pleased year 8 boys campaigns/HPV or email to launch the new ‘Slough in The HPV vaccine has been offered to all [email protected] Motion’ physical activity referral girls in school Year 8 for more than 10 programme, working in years. This helps to protect them from Stoptober: Thinking of partnership with the council’s being infected by the human quitting smoking this Active Slough and Better by papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). October? teams, along with our leisure As of September 2019 the vaccine will provider Everyone Active. Quitting tobacco can be tough, but it is also be offered to Year 8 boys. completely achievable with the right This new programme will allow This is because the evidence is clear support. Did you know you are four residents to be referred directly into that the HPV vaccine helps protect both times more likely to quit with the physical activity by their GP or boys and girls from HPV-related support of your local NHS service? healthcare professional. The scheme cancers. will provide three levels of support to Quitting tobacco smoke this October residents. This virus increases the risk of (or anytime) can make a drastic developing some cancers later in life, improvement to your life and your 1. General information and advice on such as: health. It’s not always easy, but how to reduce your levels of • cervical thinking about the reasons to quit is a sedentary behaviour. cancer brilliant way to motivate you. 2. Advice and local physical activity • some mouth programmes with the Active Slough SmokefreelifeBerkshire is a and throat team. commissioned stop smoking service cancers operated in Berkshire by 3. Tailored formal exercise referral with • some cancers of the anus and Solutions4health. It offers a free NHS Everyone Active for people with a genital areas. stop smoking service to help you quit long term health condition. This smoking for good. includes free Slough Cycle Hire use. The HPV vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted Visit www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com For more information, email infections. and join the thousands of people who [email protected] have used Smokefreelife support to In time it is expected the vaccine will help them stop smoking. save hundreds of lives every year in the UK. A recent Scottish study has already You can also visit shown a 71% reduction in pre- www.eastberkshireccg.nhs.uk/your- cancerous cervical disease in young health/stop-smoking or women. www.publichealthslough.co.uk for more help and advice. For more information, evidence of the success of the HPV vaccine and myth Lift the Baby - safe sleeping campaign A new awareness campaign aims to range of health partners. from the Lullaby Trust said: “We know cut the number of baby deaths by that dozing off on a sofa or armchair Research showed the bulk of promoting safe sleeping. with a baby is easily done but many information and support offered to parents are not aware of just how Players from London Irish Rugby Club new parents was aimed primarily at dangerous this can be. The video will helped launch the Lift the Baby mothers, and the health teams wanted help to raise awareness amongst new campaign, which encourages parents to develop something to reach out to dads and help them to understand the not to fall asleep on a sofa or armchair new dads. safer sleep messages.” with their baby, as it increases the risk A series of father’s focus groups and of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death A special website has been developed Facebook groups dedicated to dads Syndrome) by up to 50 times. in partnership with the Lullaby Trust and male carers were set up to make and features a link to the video along The campaign video, in partnership sure the messages in the video with a range of safe sleeping advice. with the Lullaby Trust, was the work of campaign were relevant. Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Visit www.liftthebaby.org.uk to find Jenny Ward, Chief Executive Officer Group (CCG), East Berkshire CCG and a out more. Autumn 2019 www.slough.gov.uk HEALTH, CARE AND SUPPORT 19 Choose how to meet your care and support needs People have a range of needs but What else can the payments and Pensions. Any benefits you may be we believe how people choose to be used for? in receipt of will not be affected. have these needs met should be The council’s purchasing and personal based on individual choice. Some of our success stories have seen budget team are able to provide residents enjoy a more fulfilled quality Some may prefer to have the council support and guidance each step of the of life by using their direct payments. way. arrange their support, whereas others We have not used our residents’ real would prefer to have control over how names but have used their stories to We can also help you recruit their care needs are met and by whom. illustrate how they chose to use their and employ a personal Direct payments direct payments to help meet their care needs. assistant Direct payments are a way of enabling • Jonathan used his one off direct This includes: people who are eligible for a Personal payment to purchase a washing Budget to buy the services and help • advertising the PA vacancy on the machine which allowed the council’s webpage they need, instead of the council convenience of washing clothes at • helping you to organise arranging these. home instead of a carer taking employment support services such clothes to the laundrette. This will enable you to have more as payroll • Mr and Mrs Chowdhury purchased a independence, control and flexibility to • giving you information about sofa bed for a downstairs room as choose how, when and from whom arranging employer’s liability Mr Chowdhury was unable to you would like your care and support insurance and DBS checks to be provided. manage the stairs anymore. This • giving advice to help you arrange piece of equipment enabled them to You may choose to use a direct the relevant training for your PA. sleep together at night and enabled payment to arrange for: Mrs Chowdhury to sleep properly • support from a care agency or other without constantly worrying and Can a family independent provider to help you getting up to look downstairs to member or Yes! As long live in your own home. You can relative become as they don’t live check on her husband. a PA? choose which agency or provider in the same property as you. you use These two simple conveniences • support from a personal assistant improved our residents’ lives and (PA) that you choose yourself to help prevented the need for an ongoing you live in your own home or to do care package. different activities • Other residents have opted to access More information activities in the community with • your personal care needs such as To find out more about direct their direct payment rather than go getting washed and dressed payments or personal assistants call to a day centre where the location • different ways of receiving adult social care services on and opening times did not suit replacement care and accessing the 01753 475111 or email them. community [email protected] and • Direct payments are also being used • a one off payment for something ask for a social care assessment. by residents for replacement specific, for example a membership care/respite - sometimes outside If you or the person you are looking fee, enrolling on an adult education the borough to be closer to other after already receives support from course, or to purchase items that will family members they don’t often get us but would prefer to change to increase your independence. to see. direct payments please contact adult social care. We would be happy to You can choose to have direct How much provide you with more information payments to manage all or just some money am I about how you can do this. eligible to get? of your support. If you only want a This depends on direct payment for part of your As part of improving the service, we the outcome of support, the council can arrange the are interested in your views on why your assessment, rest. you are or are not in receipt of a carried out by your direct payment. Please use the social worker. The payments are not regarded as details above to give your feedback. income by the Department of Works 20 WHAT’S ON www.slough.gov.uk Autumn 2019

What’s on at Find out what’s on and get exclusive offers and discounts Herschel Park in Slough Town Centre All activities are for adults or families Featuring shops, eating out, and accompanied children. For more entertainment, health, transport, information contact Ian Judd, Herschel accommodation and much more. Park Management Officer, on 07771 973035 or email Download via the App Store or [email protected] Google Play today! Toadstool hunt Saturday 19 October, 2-3.30pm Join Trevor Smith to explore the park and nature reserve for fungi. Maybe Town centre markets just admire their different shapes and International Street Markets will be visiting Slough on the second and fourth week of colours, or note their peculiar smell, or each month, bringing a variety of stallholders to the town centre. The markets run come and learn more about from 9am-5pm, based outside the Observatory and along the High Street. identification of some of the more common ones. Starting promptly at Future dates include: 2020 dates are as follows: 2pm from the kiosk. • 23-28 September • 6-11 January Family fun day • 7-12 October • 20-25 January Tuesday 29 October, 11am-3pm • 21-26 October • 10-15 February Basil and Crew's mobile farm is coming • 4-9 November • 24-29 February back to Herschel Park. Come along to • 18-23 November • 9-14 March see the ponies, donkeys, lambs, • 9-14 December • 23-28 March. rabbits, chickens and ducks. Why not • 23-28 December. try one of our Xplorer sessions? This is an orienteering course set around the park. There will also be face painters. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. More parking on the day is available at Upton Court Park, SL3 7LU.

Birds in winter Saturday 7 December, 10.30am-12.30pm Summer visitors will have gone but other species will have reached the park to spend winter here so we will join Brian Clews to explore and see what has arrived. Starting promptly at 10.30pm from the kiosk. Slough Bonfire and Coffee morning Fireworks Spectacular 2019 Coffee and cake morning Upton Court Park for the over 60s in aid of Tickets on sale soon Macmillan Cancer Saturday 2 November Adults £6 Children (15 and under) £4 Support Gates open 5.30pm Senior citizens £4 Under 4s free Family ticket £15 (2 adults and 2 children (15 and under)) Slough Fire Station Free parking For more information go to Tuns Lane, Slough www.slough.gov.uk/bonfire or call 01753 875194 Friday 27 September On the night tickets will cost more: Adults £10, Children (15 and under) SPONSORED BY 10.30am-12.30pm and senior citizens £8 No family tickets on the night