SOUTH Your Somerset Spring 2018 In this IMPROVING LIVES EDITION From care for the elderly and safeguarding children, ££££££££££££££££ ££££££££££££££££ to maintaining roads, Somerset will ££££££££££££££££ be spending £316m this year running vital services. ££££££££££££££££ ££££££££££££££££ ££££££££££££££££ £218m £67 £3m Your Council in capital average Western Tax explained projects increase Corridor See pages 4&5

ach year we set out average by £67, which is still one And of course, we will continue to our plans to fund of the lowest levels of Council Tax maintain our roads and invest in vital day-to-day anywhere in the country. This the infrastructure projects that will services, like social money will be going where it is keep the county moving and care, roads, libraries needed most. prospering. E and children’s services. This year that comes to Nearly two-thirds of Our capital investment – money a whopping £316m. And, we can that cannot be spent on our day- also reveal how much we intend our budget goes on to-day running costs – includes a to invest in Somerset. Our care and support for £3m investment for the Western ambitious plans will see £218m Corridor in , £800,000 on the Do you know your ABC? spent on capital projects over adults and children – Enterprise Centre in , See pages 8&9 the next four years, including improving the lives of and £430,000 on the second the biggest investment in phase of the Somerset Energy schools for a generation. children in care, older Innovation Centre in . people and people with Like councils across the country, This will also see £140m going we’re feeling the financial strain as disabilities. to new, replacement or expanded funding from central Government schools, including the £9m continues to fall. Despite increasing demand and expansion of School in costs, the quality of care in the . This year, to help meet increasing county continues to rise and our demands and growing costs, the recent Ofsted inspection shows These are major investments in County Council’s part of your that our support for children is the county that will benefit future Like driving? Council Tax bill will increase on improving too. generations. Then be a lifeline See page 12 P a g e Jumping 2 for joy! Plans for huge investment in Somerset’s Head of School, Foster for us Katie Penny with See page 15 pupils from Northgate schools revealed. Primary School in Bridgwater. Contact us TOP CLASS If you can’t find David Fothergill INVESTMENT what you need Council Leader on our website: Finances feature heavily in this edition. This is my first budget as Visit, Leader, and please let me assure www.somerset.gov.uk/contactus you that I see balancing the budget as the biggest responsibility that ● Phone 0300 123 2224 comes with this role. Phone lines are open from 8am to I know that for families across the county, any 6pm, Monday to Friday. rise in Council Tax adds extra pressure, and ● Write to us at this year’s increase was not agreed lightly. Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY We are finding efficiencies and working hard to make every pound we spend go as far as possible, but falling funding from Government Please phone the numbers means the increase is essential. £120m of Pupils from Northgate below for the following services: savings and efficiencies in recent years tells Primary School in their Fostering and Adoption enquiries its own story. new dance studio. 0800 587 9900 The extra Council Tax, which amounts Somerset Heritage Centre to around £1.30 per week, will go (01823) 278805 where it is needed – on services for We’ve set out plans for huge vulnerable residents who need our support the Somerset Road Safety most. You can find out more about where your investment in the county’s (01823) 423430 money goes on pages 4 and 5. Somerset Skills and Learning schools over the next few years. 0330 332 7997 I’ve been Leader now for nearly a year and one thing that has become increasingly clear is the In what we believe to be the biggest investment Somerset Waste Parnership need to continue to work closer and closer with of its kind for generations, up to £140m is (01823) 625700 others - with other councils, with health expected to be spent on 24 new, replacement or colleagues and with our many other partners. expanded schools. ● Other useful numbers We have many shared interests, complementary services and an overriding commitment to The ambitious plans will allow us to meet the Citizens Advice Consumer Service Helpline improving lives. growing demand for school places across the 03454 04 05 06 Improving lives is what this Council, and the county, and will see the County Council contribute Street Lighting Faults public sector across the county, is all about. an estimated £116m towards the cost – the rest 0845 601 0939 Somerset is at its best when working in coming from housing developer contributions and (office hours) and partnership and that is something I want to the Department for Education. 0845 795 9639 build on. (for out of hours emergencies) The programme includes developments in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Wells, Student Finance Direct (Higher Education Students only) , , Street, Somerton, , 0845 607 7577 EDITOR’S INFO , , and Chard. Wellington Community Office It will create around 2,300 secondary school (01823) 667279 To get in contact with Your Somerset or to advertise in this publication, contact Lauren Fellingham on places by 2023, and includes an estimated 19 (01823) 359176 , email yoursomerset@somerset. projects to expand primary and specialist schools. ● District Councils gov.uk or write to us at Your Somerset , Somerset Council The first of the new schools to be built will be the County Council, FREEPOST NAT 9109, £9m expansion of Selworthy School on the site of 0300 303 8588 County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY. District Council the former St Augustine’s School in Taunton, 0300 303 7800 We gratefully acknowledge the support of which will provide high quality education for District Council organisations that advertise in Your Somerset , but more than 120 vulnerable children. Somerset County Council can accept no responsibility (01935) 462462 Meanwhile, Northgate Primary School Borough Council for the products or services advertised. We advise readers to make their own enquires before in Bridgwater recently held its formal opening. (01823) 356356 purchasing products or services. Starting with a reception class and nursery, it District Council will eventually have 14 classes and provide (01643) 703704 Pssst... Your Somerset costs 6p per copy to much-needed primary school places for local produce. children. 2 News HAVE YOUR SAY Extra information about what ‘community Whatever the outcome of the consultation, library partnerships’ and ‘library outreach library services will continue to be delivered On libraries services’ would look like is also available, across Somerset. and the questionnaire has been updated. You now have until June Information and questionnaires can be All feedback and comments received will found in all 34 of the county’s libraries. be fully considered before any decisions to have your say on our are made. If you completed a questionnaire Despite big financial challenges, the County before 21 March, we’d encourage you to proposals for the future Council is committed in continuing to deliver review the new information and email any of Somerset’s libraries. a modern, thriving library service across further comments you’d like to make to Somerset. [email protected] There are nine area proposals available to view online at www.somerset.gov.uk/ Alternatively, write to Libraries Consultation librariesconsultation , setting out how The proposals in brief 2018, B3S, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY “Somerset County Council could deliver its ❐ No proposed changes for 12 libraries or contact Somerset Direct on library services differently across Somerset. 0300 123 2224 . ❐ 15 libraries may need community support to keep library buildings open In response to feedback, ❐ For a further seven, there are several the consultation deadline options put forward, including keeping has been extended library buildings as they are, moving to until Wednesday 13 June. new premises or requiring community “ support to remain open. On Electoral Divisions On Sheltered Housing Your views are being sought Support Service on potential new names for four of Somerset’s Electoral Divisions. We currently hold contracts with Sheltered Housing providers to There are 54 Divisions in the county. We are proposing to change the name of four support tenants with high level needs. of them, so that they better describe the These services help tenants manage correspondence, “ area they cover. pay their bills, manage the household budget, arrange Anyone with an interest can take part in appointments and plan shopping or meals. The contracts that“ deliver these services come to an end in October. a consultation, which runs until Friday 25 May. The four electoral divisions and the Following initial discussions with people across Somerset, we are proposing to proposed new names are as follows: stop the contribution of funding to the sheltered housing providers and reinvest this into the ‘Community Connect Model’. This will widen the support available Current name Proposed name to all who need it, for example, for people who live in their own home, or are Blackdown and Neroche Neroche and Wellington East Electoral privately renting. Before we make any decisions, we‘d like to hear your views. Electoral Division Division You can do this online at www.somerset.gov.uk/shelteredhousingconsultation Castle Cary Electoral Division Cary Electoral Division Or, visit one of the following drop-in events at: and Electoral Quantock Coast Electoral Division • Library on Wednesday 11 April, between 10am and 1pm Division • Yeovil Library on Tuesday 17 April, between 9.30am and 5pm Wellington Electoral Division Wellington and Rockwell Green Electoral • Taunton Library on Wednesday 25 April, between 9.30am and 5pm Division • Bridgwater Library on Wednesday 16 May, between 10am and 1pm More detail about the reasons behind each possible change is available at • Hub on Wednesday 23 May, between 10am and 1pm www.somerset.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/elections If you have any questions, please email the Support in Sheltered Housing Project team at [email protected], or phone Please send any comments to Carol James at [email protected] 0300 123 2224. A decision will be taken at a meeting of the Full Council later this year. Have your say 3 £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ ££££££££££££££££v££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££Y££££o££££u£££££r££ ££C££££O£££££U£££££N£££££C££££I££L££££ ££T£££A£££££X £££££££e££££x££££p£££££l££a££££i££n£££££e££££d£££££ ££ ££ £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £££T£h££i£s£ £y£e££a££r£’£s£ £b££u£d££g££e£t££ d££e££m££o££n££s£t£r£a££t£e££s£ £o££u£r£ 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Then come along to a Community Connect drop-in for a friendly Council for Somerset), what you might be informal chat and get all health professionals, Adult worried about, or what the advice and information Social Care workers and you would like to achieve you need. community organisations, or change in your life. such as the Citizen’s They will then be able Now running in several Advice and volunteers. to give you advice about locations across the where to find the right county, the Community On your first visit, you will support or activity, or offer Connect teams are made be welcomed by a a solution that really suits up of Community and member of the team, who you and how you live your Village Agents (employed will start by asking you a life...and it’s all right on by the Community few questions to find out your doorstep!

Dates and venues for Community Connect drop-in’s: ith the help of the Home First initiative, this Wwinter Somerset’s health and social care services have been working even closer together Bridgwater Burnham-On-Sea to help people get home from hospital earlier. Bridgwater Arts Chatterbox Café, 21 NEW DATES Centre Victoria Street. Since the initiative launched AND VENUES Every Thursday, Every Wednesday, ADDED from 10am and from 2pm until 4pm in September 2017 over 450 1pm people have been supported to move on from hospital

sooner, with average stays Talking Café - The Street reduced by up to five days Beach Hotel on The Porlock Library The Bear on the Avenue High Street for each person. On the first Every Monday, from Thursday of the Every Monday, As soon as someone no longer needs medical 10am until 1pm month, from 10am from 10am until support in hospital, Home First allows them to (except Bank until noon 1pm leave rather than wait on the ward for care Holidays) assessments and rehabilitation planning to take place. Instead, they now receive those assessments and support at home, in a specialist unit, care home or community hospital, to help them get back Williton on their feet and regain their independence quicker. Taunton Williton L Wiveliscombe gdelene ibrary on St Mary Ma Killick Way The Bear Inn on Coffee Shop This had a major impact on our health and social Church North Street Monthly on care system over the busy winter months. Even nday, from Every Mo Wednesdays 9 Every Thursday, though more people were admitted to hospital, the until 1pm May, 10am 13 June, 18 July, 15 from 10am until number of people facing unnecessary delays in August, between noon leaving hospital has reduced by an impressive 60 10.30am and 1pm per cent, compared to the same time last year.

6 Community matters DOMESTIC ABUSE CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

Look, listen, Are you ok? ask, then ask again!

It might be nothing… but We haven’t it could mean everything! seen much of If you think your friend, you recently. relative, neighbour or colleague may be in an abusive relationship I’ve noticed that confidential help and you seem a bit advice is at hand. down.

With one in four women and one in six men experiencing some form of domestic abuse Unless someone is open about There is also a ‘Friends Wow, they text you at some point in their lives, their experiences, it can be and Family’ guide on the a lot, do they do the chances are we all know difficult, and possibly unwise, website at that all the time? someone suffering behind to deal with the problem on your www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk, closed doors. own. The important thing to offering detailed advice to remember is that you can make support, and importantly, advice Domestic abuse a difference. And you may be about how to look after your own their only lifeline. Your instinct safety and wellbeing. comes in many might be to protect them, but different forms: remember that this could be Also, for those looking to get I’m worried about help, the Service offers advice o physical dangerous. you. I saw the way and support for perpetrators they looked at you o psychological If you are concerned, you of domestic abuse. and you seemed o sexual can speak, in confidence, scared. o emotional to the Somerset Domestic o financial Abuse Service.

Just call in confidence. For more information, phone Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service on 0800 69 49 999 , email [email protected] or visit www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk

George is in his late 40s and lives in All of this wouldn’t have been possible without health a seaside town in Somerset. He has a and social care working together and sharing information. Village Agents work with GP practices, long history of mental health issues, Social Care and community services, and many other alcohol and drug abuse. George was organisations to find the best outcomes for people. homeless, which left him unable to work. Find out more on the centre pages about the new He was put in touch with his local Village Agents. online service, called SIDeR (Somerset Integrated They helped him get back on his feet by putting him Digital electronic Record), which is helping to make in contact with organisations that could help him find all this possible. SIDeR makes it easier for medical individuals and the services that are there to help accommodation, furniture and heating for his new and care staff to access your care information. them. To find out more about Village Agents in bedsit. They also helped him to apply for financial Village Agents are there to help bridge the gap your area, phone (01823) 331222 or visit benefits, see a counsellor and find voluntary work. between isolated, excluded, vulnerable and lonely somersetrcc.org.uk/villageagents Community matters 7 DO YOU KNOW YOUR ABC? Child abuse. ...overly anxious, disruptive or self-harming? If you think it, report it!

We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. Last year nearly 400,000 children across the country received extra support because someone noticed they might need help.

Somerset County Council alone To spot the signs of child abuse or neglect look out for responded to around 27,000 changes in these characteristics. phone calls and emails last year from people who raised ● Appearance: such as unusual injuries or consistently poor hygiene. concerns about the safety of ● Behaviour: for example, being withdrawn, overly anxious, disruptive or self- children or young people, but harming or any other sudden changes in behaviour. many more would have gone ● Communication: such as talking aggressively, using sexual language or unreported . becoming secretive.

8 Do you know your ABC? ...400,000 children affected There are four main areas of abuse the campaign aims to tackle:

Right now, some people don’t report their concerns because they’re not certain of the signs, don’t know where to report it, or are worried about being wrong. This means our teams could be missing out on vital information they need to keep children safe from harm. You don’t have to be absolutely certain. If you’re concerned a child is being abused, or their safety is at risk, speak to someone. It’s helpful if we can come back to you with any questions, but you can also report it anonymously to the police and the NSPCC, who can provide the support a child may need.

All reports of children who may be experiencing abuse are looked into and, where appropriate, referred on for further So, let’s work together on child abuse. investigation and support. Information is gathered from If you think it, report it. many sources and your report will form part of a bigger picture when deciding on what action to take. To find out more, visit gov.uk/tacklechildabuse Somerset County Council is supporting the ‘Together, we To contact our Children’s Social Care referral team, can tackle child abuse’ campaign, led by the Department phone 0300 123 2224 or 0300 123 2327 for Education. It encourages people to report any concerns (out of hours). of abuse or neglect to us as soon as possible. Do you know your ABC? 9 YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THE LAW Sharing your health and care information New laws are being introduced, which will give you more rights over what happens to Making the right information available to the right people at the right time your personal information. The UK Data Protection Act (2018), which SIDeR comes in on 25 May, will see the UK GETTING THE BIGGER PICTURE in action adopting new rules. This will change how all Confidential organisations and businesses deal with your A new service called SIDeR Your GP records personal data. (Somerset Integrated Digital As part of SIDeR, hospitals and out of hours services, electronic Record) is being (for example, NHS 111 and community care) can, with rolled out across Somerset over your consent, now view your GP records electronically

S SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU AND the next few years to allow GP using GP Record Viewer. A Somerset primary practices, hospitals and Social link nurse Care to securely view your E GP Record Viewer allows clinicians, with your GP THE INFORMATION WE HOLD ABOUT YOU? records at hand, to treat you quicker and more health and care information. C effectively. It has also reduced the amount of time GP “Social Services called, a lady had thrown out her Find out what

U practices spend answering calls from other care Ask for your This new technology will help us to be able to see what medications husband who had information we link up our existing IT systems that providers requesting your information. information to be you’re taking, what allergies you dementia. They had hold about you

R corrected or record and securely store your have and what appointments you As SIDeR progresses, more records will become arranged an emergency information, so that medical and care have coming up. If you have a care available in this way. placement for him, but deleted staff can view your information to plan in place, they will also be able E The benefits to… no one seemed to know Find out who help them deliver better and safer to see this to understand what your what tablets he should your information care for you. For example, they will exact needs are. be taking. As I had YOUR RIGHTS is shared with access to the GP record I you will SIDeR HELPING YOU was able to tell them his Find out how be able current prescription, your information to... Ask us to stop Using SIDeR, A&E staff were able to allowing medication to is being used processsing your view his records, check his medical An Out of Hours GP be dispensed and given information history, medication and allergies. safely.” Frank got the treatment he needed “Even on day one of and they decided to stop some of the the new system, we medication he was on that caused the received some Only keep APPROPRIATE Report any data low blood sugar. A message was abnormal lab results. information for breaches sent to Social Services using SIDeR, Without access to the as long as it requesting an assessment for Frank patient’s GP record, I A&E Nurse Practitioners is needed would have had to for when he was discharged. A Paediatrics Consultant recommend the “I had an elderly lady who knew she was taking a new Treat your Frank has diabetes. While out The Social Worker used SIDeR to find patient go to A&E, tablet but could not remember what it was called. She said “I accessed the GP record to complete a information fairly Store it securely shopping he became ill due to very out what treatment Frank received, but as I could see she was not allergic to anything, however she was. These timeline on a young person who may have and lawfully low blood sugars and was taken to and arranged a package of care and their GP record I sorts of things could have proved really dangerous without WE WILL been at risk of abuse. Normally, getting this his local Accident and Emergency a key safe for the front door. knew that attending being able to verify the information quickly.” make sure A&E was not actually information would mean writing to the GP to department. “By having access to the GP record I was able to avoid Give you your we... Keep records of His GP carried out a review and necessary.” get a print out of all their attendances. It was duplicating blood tests and carrying out an unnecessary information when who accesses Frank was very confused, he knew his created a care plan for Frank’s so much easier using GP Record Viewer.” X-Ray examination.” you ask for it your information name and address, but couldn’t diabetes, which she shared with the remember who his GP was or what District Nurse through SIDeR, saving medication he was taking. her a trip to the GP practice. Look out for more information on SIDeR in future editions of Your Somerset. For more information about the changes to the law and how it TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION SERVICE affects you, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website SPEEDING UP THE REFERRALS PROCESS at www.ico.org.uk or NHS Digital at https://digital.nhs.uk/ Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is introducing new technology to improve Yeovil District Hospital clinical services have Nearly all GP practices in Somerset offer the patient care using £10m of government funding for digital projects . been working with GP practices across the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). A PATIENT’S VIEW area to improve the referrals process for ● A new clinical app called Streams will allow ● Doctors and nurses will be able to record doctors and nurses to capture your key your ‘vital signs’ on a mobile device. They patients. By using the hospital system they This allows your GP to send Many of us have computers, but how can we use can now check and track patient referrals information, such as your pulse or blood will also be alerted to any patient who may your prescription electronically them to improve our health? pressure, on a mobile device at your need assessing immediately. electronically, reducing response times. to the pharmacy of your Sign into your patient record and see some of your bedside. They will also be able to look at choice. Speak to your GP ● Digital whiteboards will give all medical staff GPs can now book an appointment for you own information results of any important clinical tests, such ● practice or local pharmacy to working on a ward an overview of patients, and offer a choice of slots for 99 per cent of Order your repeat prescriptions as blood tests, in one place. find out more, or visit ● helping to improve care, ward transfers and appointments. You can also choose to receive Learn more about your health, your conditions and www.digital.nhs.uk/electron ● discharge from hospital. your appointment details by email or text. how to keep well ic-prescription-service To find out more, visit www.nhs.uk/GPonlineservices For more information, visit www.tsft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/confidentiality-and-data-protection/ VOLUNTEERING How to set-up a Community Like driving? Car Scheme

ommunity car schemes can be a real lifeline for Then be a lifeline people who struggle to get about or live in rural Careas. They’re often run solely by volunteers and help people who don’t have the use of a car, or have difficulties accessing public transport, get to things like health appointments, the shops or even to visit friends. These schemes can be set-up with little formality. You need some volunteer drivers prepared to use their own cars, and a couple of people willing to run and co-ordinate the scheme. An ‘All You Need to Know’ toolkit, covering all aspects of setting up a car scheme, is available on the Travel Somerset website. It includes a library of supporting documents, such as booking forms, tax and insurance liabilities, drivers’ handbook, draft constitutions and Do you like driving? Have time to spare? guidance on funding. Want to help people in your community? More volunteer drivers are needed to take people in your A real lifeline for people community to vital medical appointments.

Could you Do you have commit to at Are you over 18 use of your least one to and hold a full UK own four-door two days per driving licence? vehicle? week?

Then please get in touch. Drivers can claim up to 50p per mile for expenses. Just tell us which days you can drive each week and we’ll send you a schedule to let you know who you need to collect, where they need to go and what time they need to be there. Most journeys are to Somerset-based hospitals, but sometimes journeys can be to Bristol, Exeter or further afield. Volunteer drivers also take some children in our care to school.

Volunteer driver, Jeanette, said: “I love being a volunteer Yvonne Bulman has helped to set-up three car schemes in Somerset, the latest being Otter Wheels in her parish of driver. I get to meet some nice people and it keeps me . She is pictured here with Richard Stirling, the busy. I meet people from all walks of life, from 19-year- Chairman of Otter Wheels. olds to older people. I’ve even got my brother doing it.”

For more information, visit We’re also looking for volunteers to be personal assistants www.travelsomerset.co.uk/community-car- who escort children when extra support is needed. schemes or email [email protected] Interested in finding out more? Phone CSW You Can Do on (01278) 664180 or visit www.somerset.gov.uk/volunteering 12 Volunteering “ GIVING Shared Lives panel SOMETHING BACK members wanted! There’s more to volunteering than you might think!

ou can make a real difference in your community through supporting local charities and community groups, but did Yyou know volunteering can offer many personal benefits too? It’s a great way to meet new friends, develop new skills, We’re looking for volunteers to join a new and gain valuable work experience. review panel for our Shared Lives scheme. There are so many ways to get involved, from stewarding at an Over the last 20 years the scheme, which provides family-based support event and coaching at your local sports club, to befriending an for adults with learning, physical and mental health difficulties, has placed isolated older person in your community. over 800 vulnerable adults with families in Somerset. Whether you have time to spare regularly each week, or want to find something that fits in with your busy schedule, there At its core, Shared Lives focuses on giving vulnerable adults the will be something to suit you. opportunity to lead independent lives, while being able to enjoy the benefits and security of being in a family home. Here is a selection of the fantastic opportunities available in Somerset right now:

PHOTOGRAPHER EVENTS ASSISTANTS needed to needed at a photograph range of local fashion and fundraising homeware events, from half items for sale for an marathons and fun runs, to online charity shop. community fun days.

KEEN GARDENERS ANIMAL CARE ASSISTANTS needed needed to to help the help care for residents of birds and a Somerset small animals Almshouse to maintain at a local wildlife rescue The scheme has been such a success that we are now looking for more their award-winning gardens. centre. families to join the programme. However, to do this a review panel needs to be in place to make sure that applicants meet the correct criteria set by the programme. SKANSKA’s Somerset Highways team with Although no formal experience is needed, we’re very keen to hear from residents from the City anyone who may have had any experience in education, social care, the of Wells Almshouses emergency services or business.

If you’re interested in becoming a panel member, please phone Wendy Bloss, the Shared Lives Scheme Manager on (01823) 250501 or email [email protected] To find out about volunteering opportunities in South Somerset, Mendip and Sedgemoor, phone SPARK on (01935) 475914 or Or, if you would like to find out more about becoming a visit www.sparksomerset.org.uk . For opportunities in Taunton Shared Lives carer, please phone (01823) 257908 and West Somerset, phone Engage on (01643) 707123, or visit or email [email protected] www.engagews.org.uk Volunteering 13 omerset aims to increase the voice of young people by Sproviding advice and support to empower and support them to HAVE YOU have their say. What is an advocate? ever thought of An advocate is an independent person who becoming a volunteer can offer one-to-one support to children and young people. It’s the role of the advocate to advocate and/or speak up for the young person, give advice, Independent Visitor for make them aware of their rights, listen to them in Somerset! and represent their views, wishes and feelings. children in Somerset?

What is an Independent Visitor? These are fascinating and Independent Visitors are volunteers who inspiring opportunities, befriend and spend time with a child or young Somerset Registration Service has launched a which can bring real great new website to support couples planning person who is in the care of the Local Authority. to tie the knot in Somerset. It provides By law all local authorities have to provide an benefits to the lives of everything you need to know to create your Independent Visitor’s service. vulnerable children and special day for both civil weddings and young people. (All your ceremonies. In Somerset our expenses are reimbursed.) intention is to encourage the relationship between Advocates engage in Whether you want an intimate ceremony with the Independent Visitor and short-term work, while just two witnesses, or a lavish affair with young person to continue fireworks and a live band, Somerset has Independent Visitors are beyond care. This way the often in for the long haul something to suit every wedding dream and care leavers continue to budget. You can even download your pre- in a child’s life. ceremony check form and guidance, and book benefit from the support, while making the your appointment online to give notice. You can help children and Browse the directory of over 110 beautiful transition to young venues licensed to hold ceremonies – from adulthood. Independent young people understand castles and stately homes to cosy inns and Visitors are highly valued their rights and ensure quirky barns. by the young people as they their voices, views, wishes may be the only person and feelings are heard. involved in their lives who There’s also a directory of local wedding industry is not paid to be there. Your volunteering can be professionals to add those finishing touches to arranged to suit your your special day. If you’re a Somerset wedding supplier yourself, why not get in touch to get availability. your business listed? Your life experiences will be highly valued and you will be trained and Find the new site at supported in developing www.somersetweddingservice.org.uk. Get in key skills. touch with the team at ✔ [email protected] or Please contact us and we will phone (01823) 282251 . arrange a short visit to explain You can even find them on facebook as more and discuss your options. Somerset Wedding Registration Service or twitter as @SCC_Weddings For more information, visit our website at www.route1advocacy.co.uk e:[email protected] t:01749 822801 14 Say I Do Being a great foster carer makes a real difference to children’s lives. It helps them through tough times and gives them the support they Foster for us! need to achieve their potential. Foster carers are the bridge between present trauma and future potential

I was fostered We’re in foster care

Adrian Hill from Frome was fostered as a child and it made a huge difference to The foster his life: carer

Somerset author and artist, Louise Allen, “My foster parents were, and still are brilliant! has been fostering for five years. She Today, I see them as my mum and dad, who are James and Simon* are nine and 13 and have explains why it’s so rewarding: “full of fun and laughter. They also have two been looked after by their long-term foster daughters, who I will always see as my two carers for four years. brilliant sisters. We all get together most They told us what having a great foster care “When a child in your care turns a corner, it’s weekends. means to them: the most magical experience. It’s the little Without doubt, they made me who I am “things. When they want to have a bath after today. they’ve resisted for over a year, or when they “Our life was all over the place, but our foster choose their own clothes or ask you to help “If you want something in life, then you have to carers took us in and gave us love, care and them with their homework. It’s the first time work for it and have respect for what you have. “support; they made us feel safe. We’re now they have friends round for tea or sing in the This is the attitude my foster parents taught me. much more settled, life is good and we’re school choir. “To anyone thinking of fostering - simply pick up looking forward to the future. We can’t thank “You help them feel like any other child, part of the phone and call! them enough.” the community. Every child craves to belong “The satisfaction of giving a child a second *Not their real names. and you make them feel ‘normal’ – whatever chance to feel loved is the biggest reward. All I normal is!” wanted was to feel accepted and be part of a family. You could offer the same chance to a child in Somerset now.”

What do I need to be a foster carer? Foster carers are amazing, and we need more of them! Some have • The enthusiasm to help turn a child or young person’s life around. been doing a brilliant job for a really long time and want to retire • A spare room. soon. Can you help? • You must be over 21, but there is no upper age limit. There are nearly 500 children and young people in care who need • It doesn’t matter what gender or sexuality you are, whether you safe and stable homes. Could you offer a child that foster home? We own your own home or are single. offer you a competitive fee, great training, support and extra rewards.

If you would love to make a real difference to a child’s life, phone 0800 587 9900 , visit www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk or come to one of our information evenings happening all over Somerset. Find out more at www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk/events .

Help us spread the word: Like us on Facebook @fosteringinsomerset , follow us on twitter @fostersomerset , download a poster from our website and put it up at your venue or workplace. Fostering 15 TAKING ACTION ON PLASTICS

Plastic delivers us ■ SWP collects millions of plastic bottles each year, but none of real dilemmas. those 3,500 tonnes of plastic ends Convenient packaging, which protects our products up in the sea or China - they are and food, versus the persistence of plastic that litters all recycled in the UK. our streets and pollutes our oceans. 96 per cent of Somerset’s But we can all do our bit: recycling produces ■ Things to bring - use reusahbigleh-r-eqfuillablitlye rbaawg s for life, water bottles and coffeem cuaptes rials demanded ■ Ignore the (plastic) straw, and prompt venues to offer free tap water – thebn yt htehree mis anork neet .ed for plastic bottles! ■ Choose to reuse - avoid plastic cutlery or condiments in sachets ■ Be a litter hero by organising or joining litter picks, and proudly recycle or bin litter ■ Say yes to less - pick only items with essential packaging, and buy loose fruit and veg

■ Twice-sorted kerbside sorting - by you and your crew - creates high- quality raw materials demanded by the market. 96% of Somerset's recycling is reprocessed in the UK. THINK AGAIN! From 2020: ■ SWP will roll-out the Recycle More weekly kerbside GREEN GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES STILL AVAILABLE service, taking far more plastic packaging, and SOLAR collect emptier rubbish bins every three weeks. Installation costs falling again this year has meant ■ All rubbish will start being carefully incinerated in a huge comeback for PV. Avonmouth to generate electricity. HEATING Time, effort and millions of pounds are being invested For those on oil or LPG – your boat has just come in. in a new recycling truck fleet and realigning all waste services to improve services and cut costs.

To take action on plastics, visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk Mere Road, Peacemarsh, Gillingham SP8 4EU Opening hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

16 Taking action on plastics 06/03/2018 16:11:59

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