Did you know that Jobcentre Plus is now delivering services in the community?

New Support Services for Voluntary Sector in Calderdale

 

From 1^st April 2013 North Bank Forum will be providing Infrastructure Support to the voluntary and community sector groups in Calderdale. Over the next two years they will be offering an exciting sector development programme and are looking forward to working proactively with the borough’s groups and organisations in supporting their needs.
Their head office is based in Hull but from 1^st April will be operating an admin office at Clare Road in Halifax. From there they will be accessible to all groups, regardless of their size and delivery, with an outreach presence in Calderdale’s communities. Throughout April they will be contacting as many VCS groups as they can to introduce themselves and offer support, including:

•  organisational needs assessments to ensure the services provided are right for the sector’s groups
• Attendance at events and organising themed events around Calderdale
• Outreach advice surgeries
• A programme of future training workshops tailored to the needs assessments
• One to one advice, at venues accessible to individual groups
• Support for managing volunteers
• Safeguarding advice and support
• Funding advice
• Support around Community Asset Transfer.

The above is just a little taster of what they aim to deliver.
North Bank Forum are currently in the process of setting up contact numbers which will be circulated when available, but in the meantime if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Helen Schofield, Deputy Chief Officer on 01482 499039 or helen@nbforum.co.uk

Safe and Warm Calderdale – keeping your home warm this winter

Safe and Warm Calderdale (formerly Warm Homes, Healthy People) will launch at a FREE event on Friday 2 November.

The project offers home fire safety visits and advice on energy saving and how to claim benefits you may be entitled to.

During the winter months (November to March), further help is available, including winter warmth packs, food packs and falls prevention measures such as ice shoes and car care kits.

Book your free place at Safe and Warm Calderdale.

Looking after your breast health – session in Illingworth

LA Group and Bradford Teaching Hospitals invite you to an informal session:

LOOKING AFTER YOUR BREAST HEALTH

 Illingworth Moor Methodist Church

Tuesday, 18th September 2012 starting at 2 pm

This informal session provides an opportunity to learn about breast health and breast screening. The session covers:

• the signs and changes to look for
• the breast screening programme
• breast cancer risk factors
• breast health awareness for women and men

Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

For further information contact either: Lynn Clark, Health Promotion Specialist Pennine Breast Screening Lynn.clark@bthft.nhs.uk 01274365042 or Secretary of the LA Group at LAGroup50@hotmail.co.uk 01422 249070

Upper Valley Relief Fund

 

 

Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) has set up a £10,000 Fund initially for voluntary organisations and individuals/families affected by the floods in the upper valley of Calderdale.

To donate to the Fund

Click on http://localgiving.com/charity/cffc/project/emergency-fund-for-june-2012-floods. So far £1,000 has been donated. OR

Text a donation FREE to Community Foundation for Calderdale…
Simply text CFFC01 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 OR

Visit www.cffc.co.uk to find out how to support CFFC through a Pledge or through Membership

Voluntary sector organisations affected by floods or giving direct support to flood victims should get in touch with CFFC.

If you require any volunteers to help with any clean-ups please give us a call at the Resource Centre and we will endeavor to get you some assistance

Community Foundation for Calderdale 

The 1855 Building (First Floor),  Discovery Road, Halifax  HX1 2NG Tel: +44 (0)1422 349700

Online weight loss clinic – open til 8th June

If you’re worried about your weight or trying to lose weight, the online clinic on weight loss, run by NHS Choices, is your chance to get expert advice and information specifically about your concerns.

Specialist consultants, dieticians and fitness experts are available to answer your questions on diet and dieting, obesity, nutrition, exercise, fat and health issues related to being over or under weight.

The clinic is in ‘forum’ format, and there is information on the front page helping you to understand how to use it. First of all you will need to register with TalkHealth – you can do this by clicking here. Once you are registered and logged in, you’ll have access to all of the information on the forums.

The online clinic on weight loss, hosted by talkhealth with support from the charity Weight Concern, is open until Friday June 8 2012.

Upcoming online clinics in 2012:

• Skin cancer and sun safety (open now)
• Diabetes (20 – 26 June)
• Dementia (18 – 24 July)
• Fertility and contraception (15 – 21 August)
• Skin conditions (19 – 25 September)
• Mental health (17 – 23 October)

What’s on your doorstep?

What’s on your doorstep? Find out at this free event organised by Voluntary Action Calderdale!

Halifax Central Library – Saturday 10th March, 11.00 – 3.00

Our very own LA Group will be there manning a stall, along with a host of other local groups and services offering information and tasters.

 

 

Gateway to Care – new improved and additional services

0845 111 1103

One number to call for adult health and social care support needs

People can now call Gateway to Care for adult health and social care needs and for help to get back independence, mobility and confidence after an accident, illness, injury or deterioration in a condition.
The improved service was set up after the Council and NHS Calderdale asked patients, the public and staff about the kind of services they would like.
People said that they wanted a way to get help and advice quickly and easily, with one assessment. People also said they wanted to avoid being admitted to hospital and wanted services to work together to care for them safely at home instead.
To support the additional service, Gateway to Care is now staffed by dedicated nurses, social workers and trained advisors who are working together to make sure people receive coordinated care, help and advice.   
Call Gateway to Care on 0845 111 1103 to speak to an advisor or email your enquiry to gatewaytocare@calderdale.gov.uk
The service is open from 8:45am to 5:30pm, Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm on Fridays. Out of hours arrangements will apply at all other times.
If people would like copies of the posters, leaflets or information cards about the service, please contact Nicola King from the project team on 01422 281431 or email nicola.king@calderdale.nhs.uk

The future of Calderdale Mental Health Services – have your say

101 when it’s not an emergency…

101 is now the number to call to contact the Police when it’s not an emergency

• My car has been stolen
• My property has been vandalised
• I want to talk to someone about a crime
• I suspect someone is selling stolen goods
• I suspect drug dealing in my neighbourhood
• My phone has been stolen and I need a crime number

www.police.uk/101
www.westyorkshire.police.uk

All calls to 101 only cost 15 pence, even from your mobile, and no matter what time of day or how long your call.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired you can textphone 18001 101

101 is available 24 hours a day

Ask your Pharmacist

Ask your pharmacist…

If you want answers to questions about medicines and pharmacy services, MedsExpress Pharmacy in Furness, Illingworth is having a holding a session tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday 9 November,  2pm-4pm.
At the Voluntary Community Care Group, 95 Turner Avenue South, Illingworth, HX2 8EF (Next to the Pennine Housing Office).

Includes free buffet, tea and coffee. All welcome.

For more advice about your wellbeing and medicines use, ask your local pharmacist.

Age UK Business Directory

Age UK (the charity that incorporates what was Age Concern and Help the Aged) have launched a new local business directory, where you can find trusted, high-quality businesses providing the services you need:

Click here to visit the directory at www.abcdwestyorkshire.co.uk

The Age UK Business Directory is the first on-line, one-stop directory to be developed specifically for older people. The aim of the directory is to make life easier for thousands of older people, their carers, families or friends who will be looking for products or services tailored to their needs.

Help making your home safe and warm

The Council’s Home Improvement Service is launching a new project to reduce health hazards in the home and improve the energy efficiency, heating and safety of privately owned and rented homes in Calderdale.

Depending on the householder’s circumstances, they may apply for:

• Hand rails or banisters where one doesn’t already exist
• second stair rails
• additional internal grab rails
• key safes
• free and discounted loft and cavity wall fibre insulation
• advice about reducing fuel bills
• low cost financial assistance for heating systems and other forms of insulation

To apply for a free hand or grab rail please contact the Council’s HandyPerson Service on 01422 392422 or email all the details to handy.person@calderdale.gov.uk

You can also find more information about the Home Improvement Service on the Calderdale Council website, here.