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The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017 The Solihull Way Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Welcome to the March 2017 edition of The Solihull Way

In this edition we reveal the finalists for the Solihull Together 2017 Awards, meet the new resourcing team and find out how to get involved in this year’s Pedometer Challenge.

Solihull Together 2017 Awards finalists revealed

The finalists for the Solihull Together 2017 Join the celebrations and support your colleagues Awards have been released. Now in their third and friends who are finalists this year. Visit year, the Awards attracted over 100 nominations www.solihulltogether.co.uk for ticket information. celebrating the dedication of Solihull residents, health and care professionals and local Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE, Leader of Solihull Council organisations who provide outstanding care and will open the awards and welcome the Rt Hon support to adults in the borough. Jacqui Smith, Interim Chair of Heart of NHS Foundation Trust who will compere the Winners in each category will be revealed at the ceremony again this year. awards ceremony which will be held at the Renewal Conference Centre, Lode Lane, Solihull The named category finalists are… on the afternoon of Friday 31 March.

1 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Care Professional of the Year Health Professional of the Year

Darren Townsend | Rough Sleeper Dr Anand Chitnis | The Castle Practice Outreach Worker Ann White | Solihull Community Services, HEFT Oswald Morgan | Key Worker Early Help Service, Solihull Council Geraldine Russell | Specialist Special Care Dentistry Service, HEFT Pete Duffield | RAID Team, and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Jackie Gale | Admiral Nurse, BSMHFT (BSMHFT) Jacqui Rea | Croft Medical Centre

Rebecca Billingsley | Solihull CCG/Macmillan Care Team of the Year Cancer Support Dermatology Department | Solihull Hospital

Housekeeping & Laundry Team | Royal Star & Inspiring Leader Garter Homes, Solihull Karen Lewis | Deputy Therapy Lead, HEFT Solihull Early Intervention Service | BSMHFT Linda Murphy | Service Manager, SMBC Solihull Community Respiratory Team | Heart Phillip Hall | Senior Nurse Dementia, HEFT of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) Rev Neil Roberts | STEPS (Support Towards Employment Baptist Church Progression & Satisfaction) | Solihull Council Suzi Thomas | Team Manager, SIAS Collaborative Working Local Hero Geriatric Optimisation & Liaison Service Before Surgery (GOALS) | HEFT Christine Logan | Director Act on Dementia CIC

Macmillan Palliative Care Therapy Team | HEFT Libby Servis | voluntary work

Solihull Community Housing (SCH) | Wellbeing Martin Shalley | voluntary work at The Service & Better Living Centre Hampton Gym and Marie Curie Hospice

SOLAR | BSMHFT Maureen Johnson | Carer Governor, BSMHFT

Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS) Millie Skinner | Founder member Friends of Solihull Hospital Dementia-friendly Service Outstanding Community Project Enhanced Recovery at Home | HEFT Gro Organic Silver Birches Residential Home MAN v FAT football Solihull Specialist Care Dental Service | HEFT Solihull Borough Talking Newspapers Association

Solihull Fire Station/Safe and Well visits

2 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Outstanding Customer Care The Solihull Together Chairman’s Award is given by the Awards Judging Panel to an individual or Homes Library Service | Solihull Council organisation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving the lives of Solihull Solihull Community Housing (SCH) | Wellbeing citizens. This year the judges have shortlisted Service three people for the award: Solihull Connect Chairman’s Award Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS) Amy Jackson | The Lily Mae Foundation

Primary Care Service of the Year Andrew Shanahan | MAN v FAT

Bernays and Whitehouse Medical Partnership Jackie Gale | Admiral Nurse

Care Navigator Service | Age UK Solihull Visit www.solihulltogether.co.uk for more details Road Surgery about the Awards ceremony.

Pedometer Challenge Monday 1–Friday 5 May 2017

Raise money for a great cause and challenge The Pedometer Challenge runs from Monday 1 – yourself to walk as many steps as you can in this Friday 5 May. year’s Solihull Council Pedometer Challenge. Entry fees are £10 for a team of 5 people or £2 for Enter as an individual or team of in support an individual. Prizes are given for highest number of ‘Walking out of Darkness 2017’ and the of team steps and the highest individual steps. CLASP charity. For more information and to enter a team please CLASP’s mission is to confront the stigma contact Solihull Active on solihullactive@ surrounding mental and stress-related illnesses. solihull.gov.uk or call (0121 704) 8207.

Physical activity is beneficial for mental health Public Health colleagues will be using the and wellbeing as well as physical health. Walking pedometer challenge as part of their training for is a low-impact exercise that’s easy, free and ‘Walking out of Darkness Birmingham’ on available to everyone. Regular exercise, such as Saturday 6 May – a ten mile walk in support of walking, has been shown to boost mood, help people affected by mental health difficulties. reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mental wellbeing and sleep patterns. Good luck and happy stepping!

3 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Advancing Adult Social Care (AASC) update

On 10 April staff involved People will also be able to receive targeted in the AASC programme rehabilitation and reablement services, with the will move into their aim of reducing future demand for other Adult new roles. Care & Support services. In addition, people will also be able to have supported self-assessments A lot of work has been and supported self-reviews where appropriate. going on behind the scenes to ensure all the Details of who will be working in each team and necessary changes are how the service will be structured can be found made and the transition on the intranet here. is as smooth as possible. A big thank you to everyone who has been The key feature of the redesigned service is an involved in the programme over the last year and extended pathway into Adult Care & Support. getting us to where we are! This means more people will be able to access immediate information and advice, and be signposted to external organisations and good quality preventative services. Care workers role celebrated

March has seen two events, one held in the north of the borough and one in the south, to celebrate the valuable role of care and support workers in improving people’s lives.

Colleagues from Commissioning, Solihull for Success and Workforce Development organised the events, which were supported by AgeUK, Community Navigator Services, Ideal for All, Local Area Coordination, Skills for Care and . Information stalls were hosted by these organisations, giving care workers the chance to receive advice and discover the support that’s available to them.

The events also featured a video booth and feedback wall for people to share their thoughts, as well as first aid training, mindfulness sessions, back care support and a prize draw with prizes donated by local businesses.

Care workers had the opportunity to share what they love about their job with others, as well as discussing things they feel could be improved.

Those who attended were really pleased to see appreciation for their work, so well done to everyone who was involved in the event!

4 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Social workers attract new recruits

Colleagues in children’s social work services The day was a great success with staff talking to recently attended the Compass Jobs Fair at the potential recruits from all over the Thinktank in Birmingham with the intention of and beyond. We will be keeping in touch with attracting new and experienced social workers to them through our Stay Connected email bulletin the Council. service so that we can keep them up to date with vacancies and continue to promote a positive Compass is the largest recruitment and career image of social work in the borough. development event in the UK for the social work and social care sector. For more information visit our recruitment microsite http://socialsolihull.org.uk/ The jobs fair is part of the Council’s ongoing childsocialwork/ #ChangingLivesSolihull recruitment campaign to attract social workers who are passionate about supporting and Image: Social workers host our stand at the improving the lives of vulnerable children and Compass Jobs Fair young people in the borough. Agile working update

The new offices at Chelmund’s Cross are nearly ready – the Looked After Children teams should move in at the end of April. The staff currently based at Jensen House and New House are being helped to prepare for and to plan their journeys.

Some of the young people involved in this service have also had the opportunity to choose the name for the offices – Solihull’s Children in Care Council ‘OVOS’ voted for the name ‘Chelmund’s Place’. This name has also been supported by the North Solihull Partnership and key stakeholders in the local area.

5 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Solihull school chef wins highly commended in national competition

Local school chef, Jose Davies Kochakkadan, from Marston Green Infants Academy, has emerged with a ‘highly commended’ for his innovative and delicious dessert, in the 2017 School Chef of the Year Competition.

The annual cook-off, organised by LACA (Lead Association for Catering in Education) challenges school cooks to prepare a two-course meal suitable for a 10-year-old, on a budget of just £1.30 for ingredients.

Jose, who beat chefs from Birmingham and Coventry to take the regional title, was up against nine other top UK school chefs in the national competition at Stratford-upon-Avon College on 2 March.

Jose impressed the panel of chefs and catering professionals with an Indian inspired main followed by mango frangipane using mashed potato as a twist.

Image: Jose Davies Kochakkadan

Apex Middle Managers Programme starting May 2017

The Apex Middle Managers Programme is an exciting opportunity for staff to develop and take charge of their leadership and potential, and starts this May.

Leadership needs within the Council have never been greater. During the programme participants will look carefully at how leaders can support changes and help move the organisation forward.

This eight month programme includes working as part of a learning set, personal coaching, 360 degree feedback and project work. It looks at future challenges, current strengths and areas that leaders could develop, to deliver powerful results for both delegate and the Council.

Once accepted onto the programme staff are committed to attend every workshop. If you are interested in attending please contact Training on [email protected] for further details of dates and sessions.

6 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

See me, hear me! success

The latest phase of the campaign has seen more than one million parents, carers and young people across the region discover more about the signs of CSE.

A digital media campaign reached 761,000 people in just two weeks (17 February to 3 March), whilst a further 278,000 people were reached via Twitter using #seemehearme and more than 15,000 visited the website www.seeme-hearme.org.uk

In addition, between 20 and 24 February more than 4,000 commuters stopped to find out more about this horrific, hidden crime from local authority CSE leads and police at transport hubs in each of the areas.

National CSE Awareness Day also took place on 18 March, with people encouraged to think, spot The regional child sexual exploitation (CSE) and speak out against abuse and adopt zero awareness campaign See me, hear me! has been tolerance to adults developing inappropriate shortlisted for a PR Moment award in the public relationships with children. The #HelpingHands sector campaign of the year category. was used far and wide on social media with people making a pledge about how they plan to The campaign was launched in June 2014 by support the fight against CSE. Birmingham, Coventry, , , Solihull, and councils, along with To find out more about See me, hear me! visit , to raise awareness of child www.seeme-hearme.org.uk or follow sexual exploitation. @SeeMeHearMeWM on Twitter.

Solihull leads the way to secure £639,000 funding to tackle domestic abuse

In December a team from Solihull Council led on Caroline explained: “This bid reflects an on-going submitting a bid for government funding to help commitment by statutory and non-statutory victims of domestic abuse across the West partners in the West Midlands to work together to Midlands. News of the success of the bid arrived tackle domestic abuse. last month. “Developing the bid was hard work for all Solihull’s Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Caroline concerned, particularly within the short time Murray, was delighted with the success of the bid scale we were faced with, but we believe it will and the unprecedented collaboration between provide the encouragement to continue to work seven regional local authorities and four together in the future.” regionally based Women’s Aid providers.

Victims of domestic violence may now benefit from the input of £639,000 to support ten projects aimed at offering flexible support as and when it is most needed.

7 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

A fantastic Fairtrade Fortnight

A variety of events have been taking place The town centre Fairtrade Trail was also popular, around the borough to mark Fairtrade Fortnight with more than 300 children taking part! (Monday 27 February to Sunday 12 March). The trail has now moved to Chelmsley Wood town The annual Fairtrade Cake Off competition, which centre, where children can hunt down the banana took place at The Core on Saturday 4 March, was characters and solve the Fairtrade code until once again a huge success with 24 entries and Tuesday 21 March. over 80 spectators watching the prize giving. For anyone wishing to take part, trail sheets can The borough’s best bakers included Fairtrade be collected from Chelmsley Wood library or ingredients in their cakes and battled it out for downloaded here http://www.solihull.gov.uk/ the top prizes, which included afternoon tea at fairtrade Hampton Manor and tickets to The Core Theatre. If you want to find out more about Fairtrade in Their creations were scored by guest judges Solihull, please contact Andrew Greenall Amari Koryang, winner of the CBBC Bake Off, [email protected] Christopher Von-Landkammer, Executive Chef at Genting Hotel, Claire Donohue from Claire’s Image: The winning cake in the children’s cake Quality Cakes and Steven Hearn, Head Chef at category made by Madison Poolton Hampton Manor.

8 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Recruiting? Consult our in-house experts

Recruiting, often referred to as resourcing, has “We are keen to encourage managers to make taken an evolutionary leap at Solihull Council, contact with the team at the earliest opportunity which now boasts its own dedicated so that we can work together on a bespoke resourcing team. recruitment plan.”

The team was formed at the end of October last With the wide range of jobs that the Council year, splitting off from Human Resources (HR) to recruits to, and in recognition of the fact that provide a much more specialised service. each position requires a different approach to attract suitable candidates, the resourcing team Senior resourcing advisor, Debbie Woodcock, are working one-on-one with managers to ensure explained: “We want managers to know that we an appropriate plan is developed for are here now and explain what we can do every vacancy. for them. Work has also begun on reviewing the Council’s “Following the restructure of the HR team, the recruitment templates and the team are resourcing team was put in place to improve the developing and researching new and more level of recruitment support to managers with creative ways of attracting candidates, including the aim of ensuring we attract, and retain good the use of social media and YouTube. You can quality candidates and employees. follow the team on Twitter @SMBCPeople.

9 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

As well as recruiting new permanent staff It is accepted that employees are an members, the team also deals with accessing organisations most important and most agency staff and Tracey Getlevog co-ordinates the expensive resource, and making sure the right Council’s apprenticeship scheme, providing candidate is appointed in the first place can save support and advice to both council managers not only a lot of time and effort, but also much and schools. needed finance.

To discuss how this highly-skilled team, several of Pictured left to right, bottom to top: Jayne Loach, whom are also qualified to conduct psychometric Resourcing and Development Manager; Nicky testing, can help you attract the very best Fellows, Resourcing Advisor; Debbie Woodcock, candidates, get in touch with them at their 5th Senior Resourcing Advisor; Vicky Britton, floor, Church Hill House office on 704 6188 or at Resourcing Advisor; Tracey Getlevog, Employment [email protected] Services Advisor; Michelle Jackson, Resourcing Assistant. Andrew Heighway will also be joining the team very soon as a Resourcing Assistant.

Don’t miss the Solihull Apprenticeship Show

The Solihull Apprenticeship Show returns on the Hereward College and Solihull College will also 30 March 2017 between 3:00pm and 7:30pm for a be on hand to talk about Supported Internships sixth year. which are launching in September 2017. Supported Internships are structured study It is a great opportunity for young adults to find programmes based primarily with an employer, out more about apprenticeships and how they and aimed at 18 – 25 year olds with a current can earn while they learn. Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to There is no need to book but be advised that the employees and training providers about their busiest period is between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. apprenticeships and their current and upcoming vacancies, meet current apprentices, take part in Lookout for the #SolApp17 on Facebook and Spotlight sessions highlighting the benefits of an Twitter, for more information visit https://www. apprenticeship as well as ‘Have a go’ sessions. solihullforsuccess.com/events/225461/2/ Solihull_Apprenticeship_Show_2017 Employers attending the Apprenticeship Show include Jaguar , BMW, Graham Facilities Management, Balfour Beatty, RSM, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Specsavers amongst many others.

10 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Youth Hub to launch

A new initiative to tackle homelessness will with outreach centres in Chelmsley launch on 1 April 2017. Wood and Solihull town centre.

The Youth Hub will provide housing advice and St Basils, a Midlands based charity specialising in specialist home options support to single young preventing homelessness in young adults, will people aged 16 – 24 who are at risk of deliver the youth hub service on behalf of the homelessness or in housing need. Council, working closely with Solihull Community Housing and other statutory services and Operating for an initial term of two years, the partner organisations. pilot will aim to accurately measure demand, capture the range of needs that young people are St Basils also hosted the Solihull SleepOut on presented with and highlight gaps in local Friday 10 March, which saw a record number of services that need to be addressed. 176 fundraisers take part! The event promoted homelessness awareness in the borough and all Residents will be able to refer themselves or money raised will be put back into the local area. others through an online referral system or by contacting the Youth Hub, which will be based in Image: The Solihull Sleepout

11 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Help shape support for hate crime victims

The West Midlands Police and Crime Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy and Professor Neil Commissioner has commissioned a piece of work Chakraborti from the University of Leicester are around support for victims of hate crime. undertaking a project which aims to:

A hate crime or incident is where a person is • identify the support needs of hate crime targeted because of their: victims in the West Midlands • identify victims’ experiences of support • disability services in the West Midlands • gender or gender identity • identify ways of improving existing support • race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or services for hate crime victims national origins • religion The findings and recommendations from this • sexual orientation research will help to improve the support provision in the West Midlands and inform the Hate crime can take many forms including: commissioning of support services.

• physical attacks – such as physical assault, An online survey has been developed to enable damage to property, offensive graffiti, people who live in the West Midlands to share neighbour disputes and arson their views on support services. Please take the • threat of attack – including offensive letters, time to complete the survey before Friday 31 abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups March, which can be accessed here https://www. hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MLCD6QR malicious complaints • verbal abuse or insults – offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace

Mayoral Election for the West Midlands and Purdah reminder

The first Mayoral Purdah – Please remember that Purdah starts on election for the West Thursday 23 March 2017 (Purdah is the period Midlands Combined between the issuing of the notice of the Authority will take elections) and will last until polling day on place on Thursday Thursday 4 May 2017. During this period, there are 4 May 2017. specific restrictions on local authority publicity and on the use of public resources, including the The deadline for voter Council’s premises and facilities. registration is Thursday 13 April 2017 Please read the guidance from the Local (Tuesday 18 April 2017 Government Association if you are issuing any for a postal vote). Register online at sort of communication to members of the public www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. during purdah including posting on Council- affiliated social media accounts. For further information about registering to vote please visit http://www.solihull.gov.uk/About- If you want advice about Purdah and what you the-Council/Voting/registertovote can and can’t do, please don’t hesitate to call the Communications Team on 704 6136 or email [email protected]

12 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Friends Against Scams training sessions

What do we think of when we hear the word had won the lottery. Mrs L was persuaded to “scam”? A rogue-trader on the doorstep, a make a MoneyGram payment to cover strange phone call in the middle of the day, that administrative charges. More excuses for further ‘bargain’ on eBay or a too-good-to-be-true email payments followed until she refused and was offer? All are happening, and all are having a then threatened, being told she had been devastating effect on the lives of millions of involved in funding drugs trafficking. Frightened people in the UK every year. and confused, Mrs L had eventually handed over her life savings of £32,000 before turning to The council’s Trading Standards Team has joined family for help. Sadly, Mrs L died soon after this the national campaign ‘Friends Against Scams’ to terrible experience. spread the word about the havoc and harm fraudsters wreak and has scheduled a number of ‘Friends Against Scams’ aims to protect and training sessions to spread the word. prevent people from becoming victims by empowering communities to take a stand. The sessions are open to all, as we may all know Attending one of the forthcoming training someone who is potentially vulnerable, whether sessions will equip you with the knowledge of that’s an elderly relative, a partner or even how to spot a scam and how to protect those who a colleague. may fall foul of the fraudsters.

Mr X of Solihull is an intelligent and aware 88 Become a ‘Friend Against Scams’ and come down year old carer, with a successful former career in to a training event, the next in Committee Room 1, the financial sector. Mr X has also paid out over the Civic Suite, on Friday 24 March, 2pm – 3pm. £100,000 to fraudsters. Bullied and blind-sided Further events are planned for Friday 7 April by incessant phone calls and letters, Mr X was 2pm – 3pm and Friday 24 April 2pm – 3pm. persuaded to make numerous ‘investments’, all of which were fraudulent. The torment only You can book on to a session through the stopped when Solihull’s Trading Standards team ‘Safeguarding’ training folder in Oracle or by persuaded him to change his phone number, a sending an email to tradingstandards@ move he had been reluctant to do for fear of solihull.gov.uk losing contact with family and friends. ‘Friends Against Scams’ encourages communities Mrs L lived in the north of the borough. Her and organisations to take the knowledge learnt nightmare began with a call informing her she and turn it into action.

13 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Health Checks prove to be a hit at the

Mark explained: “My cholesterol was slightly higher than average which is a result that will make me do something about my mini-cheddar habit, so I know where I might be going wrong!”

If you missed the chance to take up a health check at work, are aged between 40 and 74 and not suffering from a chronic illness, then every five years you should be invited by your doctor to go along for a check. If you are eligible but have not had one yet then contact you GP for an appointment. Checks are simple, results can be instant and help and advice is on offer if you want it.

Other people who took advantage of the in- house health checks had positive feedback:

“It was a very good opportunity to have some health checks done at a very convenient time. The staff were very welcoming and made the appointment quite pleasant. “

“Quick, efficient service provided and very good Mark Lardner, an analyst in Public Health, took explanation of results.” the opportunity to get his first post-40 NHS Health Check, when health trainers from Solihull “Very useful check, felt reassured by results, Health Exchange ran sessions at the Council impressed that the results were available straight House recently. away. Health Trainers were very friendly.”

Mark described himself as a ‘typical male’ when it “I found the NHS check-up informative and comes to his health. He does all he can to stay fit helpful in terms of thinking about changes to my and healthy, but generally avoids seeing his GP diet to become healthier. The staff were friendly unless he feels it’s absolutely necessary. So, and knowledgeable and put me at ease. “ being able to take up the health check during his working day was a bonus. “I welcome the opportunity to have this check during the working day – much easier and more On the whole, Mark’s results were good and what convenient than visiting my GP.” he would expect, as someone who is a non- smoker, healthy eater and regularly exercises. “Staff made me feel very comfortable, were The one element of the check–up that will approachable and friendly. I would recommend encourage him to make a change was his everyone takes time out of their busy day cholesterol measurement. for themselves.”

14 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

Enjoy an Easter egg-stravaganza at our events this month

The Dizzy Duck Race makes a splash in Babbs Mill Music in the Park: Springtime Swing!’ features LNR, B37 6LN on Wednesday 12 April, 11.00am – Coventry Consortium Band and their vocalist, Sue 12.30pm (registration from 10.30am). Pick a duck Starr, performing big band classics in Elmdon for £1.00 and watch it race along the river. There Park, B92 9EJ on Sunday 30 April, 2.00pm – 4.15pm. are prizes for the first three finishers! Refreshments and toilets are available at Elmdon Church, where the concert will take place in bad Easter Egg Hunt returns to on Good weather – or visitors can bring picnics and enjoy Friday, 14 April, 11.00am – 3.00pm. Find the clues the perfect afternoon in the park. hidden around the park and crack the password to win a chocolate egg! You may even spot the There are markets galore this month! The Easter Bunny. Other entertainment includes Farmer’s Market is on the High Street, Friday puppet shows and face painting. Entrance costs 7 April, 9.00am – 5.00pm, and offers diverse local £2.00 per child with small charges for some produce sourced from within a 30 mile radius attractions. Volunteers needed – please contact of Solihull. Louise Morley ([email protected] or 0121 704 6547) for details. The Fine and Local Food Fayre comes to Mell Square on Saturday 15 April, 9.00am – 5.30pm, Design your own scarecrow at Scarecrow Making and includes locally produced arts and crafts Day, Knowle Park on Thursday 20 April, with alongside delicacies from overseas. prizes for the top three. Pre-booking is essential – for an equipment list and to book, Finally, the Solihull Spring Craft Fair will be in call 0121 704 8000. Solihull town centre on Saturday 22 April, 9.00am – 5.30pm, showcasing the work of local Egg-citing Easter activities are happening at the artists and jewellery designers, as well as Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, throughout the artefacts from abroad. Clothing, garden furniture school holidays. Organised by and street food are also available. Wildlife Trust, there are events for babies, toddlers and children aged 4 – 10, from Monday For more information about Council events, visit 10 – Friday 21 April. Most events cost £3.50 per www.solihull.gov.uk/events child – for more information visit www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on Image: The Coventry Consortium Band

15 The Solihull Way | Solihull Council staff newsletter | March 2017

PCC’s Outstanding Citizen Awards 2017

Nominate now for the Police and Crime based and will have shown consistent dedication Commissioner’s Outstanding Citizen Awards 2017. to their community over a period of time, giving up their own time and helping others in ways The award categories are: which contribute to community safety or reducing crime and disorder. • Outstanding Citizen • Outstanding Young Citizen The closing date for nominations is Monday 17 • Outstanding Community Project April 2017, with the Awards Ceremony held on Thursday 6 July. Individuals or organisations who are nominated for the awards should be voluntary or community Find out more and nominate via the PCC website.

OUR VISION SOLIHULL IN 2018: Where everyone has an equal chance to be healthier, happier, safer and prosperous OUR PURPOSE LIVES NOT SERVICES: To be an organisation that improves lives OUR AMBITION GOOD TO GREAT: To be an organisation that our citizens and staff say is a great one

If you have a story you would like to share with colleagues in a future issue of The Solihull Way, please get in touch with the Communications team by emailing [email protected]

Twitter @solihullcouncil | Facebook www.facebook.com/solihullcouncil | Yammer www.yammer.com/solihull.gov.uk

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