your somerset “This must not happen again.” Prime Minister, David Cameron, January 2014 Flood Special ‘ The flood in photos ‘ Page 11 Spring 2014 Mendip Your Council Tax Fostering explained Pages 4-5 Page 13 your somerset Somerset County Council arrived in the flood-hit areas and brought with them much needed help and support. Without this, and their co-ordinated approach, we could not have continued to help as many people as we have. FLAG is grateful for the continuing support provided by the Council’s dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly alongside us. – Heather Venn, Chair Flooding on the Levels Action Group FLAG. The clean up continues... Photo courtesy of Laura Zaky he big clean-up is well to help and give up so much of their time, got our roads repaired and open – done underway – and Somerset effort and donations. It has been everything we can to help residents. inspirational,” said Council Leader, County Council wants to thank “Next we want to look after those who have T John Osman. been hit so hard. That’s why Somerset was all those who have helped out in ‘ “It is also a time to look forward and not lose first to announce a Council Tax rebate, the unprecedented flooding‘ across any of that dedication and commitment, recognised and backed by the Prime large parts of the county. which is why we have made it our priority to Minister himself. help our residents. We have been overwhelmed by the support “We were there on day one of the flooding, “First we wanted to help people get back into setting up boat transport for flood-hit and generosity of individuals, families, their flood-hit homes as soon as possible. communities and working directly with businesses and communities from across That’s why we worked with our partners to volunteers on the ground. I can promise the country – and in some cases across provide free skips and made sure our fantastic that we will be the last to leave as the the globe. staff and volunteers had the supplies, clean-up continues – helping individuals, So, in this ‘ Your Somerset Flood Special’, equipment and transport – basically helping vulnerable people get the care we want to thank you all. everything they needed to get the job done. they need, helping wherever help is “It has been a remarkable effort, truly We’ve cleared up 1,000 tonnes of needed. That’s your Council’s commitment amazing to see how many people were willing sandbags, cleaned out more than 200 ditches, to Somerset.” Look inside for your free Adult Learning Mini Guide. Page 10 02 News n Editor’s column Welcome to the e Celebrating our volunteers Spring edition w of Your Somerset . What a crazy couple of months! For s most of this winter Somerset has been in emergency mode, as more than 150 households dealt with the devastating j effects of Mother Nature at her worst. u Although I was lucky not to be on the receiving end of some of the worst weather he recent flooding is just another example of the remarkable in a century (unless you count a leaky roof s resilience of Somerset’s residents. We’ve witnessed first-hand just that blew my electrics for a couple of days), how much of a difference the amazing work of volunteers can I did witness, first-hand, the tireless hard work t T of all the volunteers, councils and agencies make. So, with the 30th annual National Volunteers Week starting on involved. Sunday 1 June, what better time to celebrate the continued hard work i In the office where I work, a mini hub was and dedication of all of Somerset’s volunteers. set-up, which consisted of teams from n highways, civil contingencies, district council To celebrate National Volunteers Week and the fantastic contributions that volunteers staff and volunteers, who worked around the make across the county in a variety of ways, there will be a series of events taking clock for weeks, co-ordinating efforts to help . place in Somerset. To find out more, visit http://volunteersweek.org . people who were either stuck or evacuated . If you’ve ever thought about becoming a volunteer, here’s your chance! The Council from their homes. works with a number of charities and organisations who offer a variety of So, as the water recedes and the clear up opportunities. continues, it’s important to remember that it will be a long time before some residents get So, if you are unsure where to start and want to find out more about what’s going on any sort of normality back in their lives. Our in your area, or you are an organisation looking to promote volunteering centre spread gives a summary of the 20-year opportunities, why not contact your local volunteer centre? plan, and we’re looking for your feedback and insight into what needs to be done to try and • Engage West Somerset: www.engagews.org.uk or phone (01643) 707123 . stop this from happening again in the future. • South Somerset Voluntary Sector Support: ssvca.org.uk or On a personal note, I’ve been overwhelmed phone (01935) 475914 . to see the lengths people have gone to help, and the generosity of the donations that are • Mendip and Sedgemoor Volunteer Centre: still coming in - it makes me feel very lucky www.mendipcommunitysupport.org.uk or phone (01749) 346830 to live here. or (01278) 457685 . Enjoy our flood special, which is dedicated to the all hard work of everyone involved. If you are interested in youth volunteering opportunities, visit the Somerset Volunteering Network website at www.somersetyouth.org.uk or phone Lauren Fellingham 0808 189 0888 . For volunteering opportunities in social care, Editor – Your Somerset visit www.somersetyoucando.it or phone (01278) 664180 . Psst... Your Somerset costs just 5p For information about volunteering opportunities with Somerset County Council, visit per copy. www.somerset.gov.uk/volunteering or phone 0845 345 9166 . Or, to find out about more general volunteering opportunities in your area, visit www.do-it.org.uk . Editor’s Info To get in contact with Your Somerset or Flood Volunteer Workshops to advertise in this publication, contact Lauren Fellingham on (01823) 356722 , Somerset County Council is Open to any volunteers, the half-day email [email protected] offering help to the fantastic sessions will take place locally on or write to us at Your Somerset , Tuesday 8 and Tuesday 15 April. volunteers who have helped Somerset County Council, our communities through the “Our volunteers have helped us so FREEPOST NAT 9109, floods crisis. much, I really wanted to give County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY. something back and look forward to We gratefully acknowledge the support The Council’s Director of HR, Richard meeting as many volunteers as of organisations that advertise in Crouch, is hosting two half-day possible,” said Richard. Your Somerset , but Somerset County workshops to help volunteers use Council can accept no responsibility for the their experience of helping out to If you are interested and would like to products or services advertised. We advise improve their CVs and boost their job know more, phone (01823) 355777 or readers to make their own enquires before and career prospects. email [email protected]. purchasing products or services. News 03 First Adoption Activity Day news ollowing the success of a bold in brief... new scheme to improve Fadoption rates, Somerset Changes to County Council recently held its first Adoption Activity Day. the website Approved adopters had the opportunity to meet children who Somerset County are waiting to be adopted as they had fun and enjoyed a pirate- Council’s website has themed party. These activity days aim to improve the chance of a brand new look. finding a forever family for the children who have been waiting It’s now simpler to use for a long time to find parents, mainly children over five years and easier for you to old, siblings groups, twins, and children with disabilities. find just what you’re Adoption Activity Days have been successful in the US for looking for - especially many years. The first pilot project in Britain, run by the British if you’re using a mobile Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), carried out five phone or tablet. activity days and helped nearly a fifth of the children, who have been in care the longest, to find a family. Our next job is to improve the information we offer Somerset has been working with BAAF to organise its first about our services, and to Adoption Activity Day, in partnership with Bristol, Bath and North increase the number of East Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North things you can do online. Somerset Councils, and in collaboration with local voluntary If you have feedback about adoption agencies. any part of our website, To find out more about Adoption in Somerset, visit then please let us know. www.adoptioninsomerset.org.uk or phone 0800 587 9900 . You can do this by using the feedback buttons on each page of the website. Not for profit future Making life easier ollowing a major back into the service. This allows You can already pay it to make improvements and invoices issued by consultation into gives it more control over its Somerset County Fthe future of the future. Council through our ‘in-house’ Learning website or by phoning One of the main messages us during office hours. Disability Provider coming from the consultation, Service, plans are being which gathered views from the We’ve listened to those people who use and work in the of you who don’t have made to turn the service service, their carers and families, internet access and into a social enterprise is that they want a big say in what improved the service.