Wiggenhall St. Germans Parish Council

Links to wide range of help 

BCKLWN News Release

Wellbeing Newsletter            Support from NCC, NCF and LGA

Apologies for the long nature of this newsletter, but there is much here that will be of interest to everyone.
.
Norfolk County Council (NCC) and Norfolk Community Foundation (NCF) can offer a wide range of support to people who are struggling.  Over coming months’ it will be vital to ensure that everyone is receiving all the help they can possibly get from this and other sources.  Below we share the latest information about what is available and how to access it.

Councils with the General Power of Competence (GpoC) are of course able to do anything that an individual can do and so can act as a conduit or enabler for much of the funding, but please don’t be put off if you don’t currently have the GPoC, ask yourself if there are other ways to unlock funding that is available, perhaps through working with your local church, village centre or other possible partners.

Norfolk County Council       Household Support Fund autumn/winter 2022

Norfolk County Council has just announced its cost-of-living support offer, helping households in the County manage their costs. As stakeholders we wish to raise your awareness of the programme of support available, to enable you to signpost your customers to help where needed.
The Council has been allocated £6.69 million to be spent by the end of March 2023 by the government’s Household Support Fund and will add an additional £1.2m of council funds to create a total support package for Norfolk Households of just over £7.9m. The new scheme aims to provide extra support to those facing hardship this winter, as the cost-of-living crisis continues, especially around food and energy costs.
The County Council will continue to work closely with district, borough and city councils, the VCSE sector and schools to help those most in need, with a special focus on providing support for rising energy and utility bills over winter.
There have been some fantastic outcomes through the previous Household Support Fund and the work is supporting many people across Norfolk. However, the pressures continue for some, and may be particularly difficult over the winter period as households use more fuel to keep their homes warm, and the increased costs of this.
Based on previous experience, the funding is expected to provide support to around 70,000 households across Norfolk.

Below is a summary of the support that is on offer.

Support for families who receive Free School Meals
The Council will continue to provide cost-of-living vouchers for free school meals eligible children, with those eligible receiving a total of £120 in vouchers per child for the period November 2022 to April 2023.
The vouchers are provided by Edenred, which can be used in all supermarkets for essentials, including clothing.
If you are working with a family who you think may be eligible for free school meals, who are not currently receiving them, please encourage them to speak to their children’s education provider or support them in that conversation where needed.
Children who are home educated and may be entitled to the vouchers can complete the Norfolk Assistance Scheme form and will be supported to access Edenred by NAS.
For more information about free school meals
click here
Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS)
NAS already provides hardship support to Norfolk residents who are struggling with their living costs. The type of support that NAS provides is tailored to the individual needs of each household. It can include food vouchers, help with buying school uniforms and gas or electricity meter pre-payments, purchasing oil and a range of other support as needed.
NCC have also invested in additional advice capacity that NAS can refer to. This means that as well as one-off financial support, people struggling with their finances will find it easier to access debt and welfare advice and support to find longer term solutions.
Find out more about the support on offer and who can apply at 
NAS

Norfolk Community Foundation
If you are a VCSE organisation, town or parish council or faith group you can apply to Norfolk Community Foundation for a grant funding to enable £50 cash support or pay contributions to energy/utility bills of £50. You can then use this funding to offer winter aid directly to the people you support.
More detail about who can apply, for how much and when, will soon be available at
NCF Household Support
Norfolk Community Foundation will be advising VCSE organisations how they link people up with longer term support offered by district council teams and NAS so that they can be helped past the initial £50 sum where needed.

Local support in the community
City, district, and borough councils are using their in-depth knowledge about their residents and local community to proactively target support to where it is most needed. This support will be delivered through existing local organisations and council services who come across individuals and families in need. City, district, and borough councils will be in touch directly with partner organisations with more detail about their individual schemes.
Norfolk’s network of 47 libraries is offering free hygiene packs with essential toiletry and sanitary products, as well as ‘warm and well’ packs including things like blankets, gloves, and socks. People will be able to go to libraires and pick up these packs in a discreet way when they need them. Libraries will also be offering self-serve hot drinks at all of their libraries this winter during their opening hours.

Winter support in general
Anyone can go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/costofliving to find out what support is available and how to access it. Organisations and support workers can also do this on people’s behalf. If people have problems accessing online services, then they can visit their local library or call on 0344 800 8020.

What can I do to help?
If you are working with, or aware of, a family who you think may be eligible for free school meals, who are not currently receiving them, please encourage them to speak to their children’s education provider or support them in that conversation where needed.
Please direct people to the website www.norfolk.gov.uk/costofliving so that they can find the right support for their needs.
If someone needs emergency help with food or fuel, then direct them to the Norfolk Assistance Scheme www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS or tell them to call 0344 800 8020.

Who can I contact for further information?

• Hardship Support General Information – Natasha Hayes, Head of Communities, Norfolk County Council natasha.hayes@norfolk.gov.uk
• Norfolk Assistance Scheme and the support on offer – John Baldwin, Head of Finance Exchequer Services john.baldwin@norfolk.gov.uk
• Free School Meal vouchers and support for families – alison.randall@norfolk.gov and philip.beck@norfolk.gov.uk
• Broadland Council’s support offer –  Mike.Pursehouse@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• Breckland Council’s support offer – Samantha.Armitage@breckland.gov.uk
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s support offer – Steve Scott-Greenard earlyhelphub@great-yarmouth.gov.uk 0808 196 2238
• King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council’s support offer – Judith.Berry@West-Norfolk.gov.uk
• Norwich City Council’s support offer – covidhub@norwich.gov.uk
• South Norfolk Council’s support offer – Mike.Pursehouse@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• North Norfolk District Council’s support offer – Sonia.Shuter@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Norfolk Community Foundation        Funding and Support news

Norfolk Community Foundation offer a wide range of support packages to help organisations support their communities.  These are summarised below.

Community Hot-Spot Fund         Keeping people warm and connected this winter
Each year, NCF support Norfolk charities to provide vital services for people living in our county, combatting isolation and loneliness and improving people’s wellbeing during the colder months. This year, our winter funding is focusing on organisations that are, or are looking to, provide what we are calling a ‘Community Hot-Spot’. A Community Hot-Spot is a warm space for people to take a break from the cold and connect with others over the winter months.
Grants of £2,000 are available to contribute towards the cost of running or establishing a Community Hot-Spot that gives a warm welcome to the whole community, in particular reaching those who are vulnerable or have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 26th October. They aim to confirm funding decisions in early November.
Find out more
East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund: Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, and South Norfolk | Closes 10th October
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support the work of VCSEs looking to create or adapt services or activities to address local need in Norfolk, in locations where the East of England Co-op trades.
Find out more
Empowering Communities for Mental Health and Wellbeing: Norfolk and Waveney | Closes 11^th October
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects which are designed to support groups of the population that are currently experiencing heightened challenges to their mental health and wellbeing. The Programme will enable support to the following three priority areas: men’s wellbeing, families, and adults with long term physical health conditions.
Find out more
New Endeavour Rangers Fund: Norfolk and Waveney | Closes 24th October
Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support charitable organisations offering opportunities and positive activities for children and young people in Gorleston and the wider Borough of Great Yarmouth.
Find out more
Breckland Council Inspiring Communities Fund: Breckland | Open
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support up to a maximum of 50% of total project costs for projects in the Breckland area, which meet the Inspiring Communities outcomes. Funded projects will focus on leading recovery from Covid-19, supporting vulnerable members of the community to improve their life chances and enhancing the health and wellbeing of Breckland’s communities by providing leisure facilities and activities.Find out more
Sheringham Shoal Community Fund: North Norfolk | Open
Grants are available to support projects proposed by groups inspired to do something new and positive in their community, in particular projects which have an environmental and sustainability focus. The fund aims to award half of the funding to Wells-next-to-the-Sea and the surrounding area with the remaining funds being available to the wider North Norfolk area. No maximum grant value is set but as a guide the largest award to date is £25,000.
Find out more
Saracen’s Norfolk Fund: South Norfolk | Open
Grants re available to support charitable activities that benefit rural areas within the district of South Norfolk with grants up to a maximum of £5,000. The Fund aims to support projects that are led by local people and aim to enhance quality of life in small rural communities by improving access to support, services and opportunities. Please note the Fund is unlikely to make a contribution to capital projects and gives priority to community activities that involve and benefit local people in rurally isolated areas of South Norfolk.
Find out more
Funding Plus: Providing much more than funding
Funding Plus is NCF’s programme of free information, advice and resources that helps charities access the help they need to overcome organisational challenges, build networks and plan for the future.  From pro-bono support from local businesses to webinars on topics such as health and safety and HR and one-to-one sessions from business experts, they are committed to offering more than funding to help Norfolk’s charities shine brighter.
Funding Plus
LGA’s cost-of-living support hub and bulletin – reminder

The Local Government Association (LGA) has recently launched a cost-of-living support hub to help councils continue to support residents and a new monthly cost-of-living bulletin, both of which highlight the latest news from the government. This includes examples of good practice, latest reports and data and upcoming events.
Cost-of-living hub:

Bulletin sign-up: 

Webinars
Norfolk ALC are pleased to be hosting 2 fascinating webinars in the coming weeks.

Oct 5^thNorfolk’s Treasures by Foot and Cycle
                              Discover glorious Norfolk treasures this autumn.
Find out how you and your community can access the best that the Norfolk countryside has to offer this autumn.
19.00 – 20.30REGISTER
Oct 12^thGetting on with Numbers
Discuss with NCC how funding for numeracy improvements could be used in your community to improve people’s skills.
19.00 – 20.30
REGISTER

NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Order affecting                          the Eau Brink Road 35m north of its junction with School Road for 20m northwards in the PARISH OF WIGGENHALL ST. GERMANS because of AW new connection works.

The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) from 21^st to 23^rd September 2022 for the duration of the works expected to be about 3 days within the period.

Alternative route is via: School Road, Sluice Road, The Avenue, High Road, Islington Road, Lynn Road, Pullover Road, A47 Roundabout At Tilney All Saints, A47 From J A17 To Roundabout At Tilney All Saints, A47 J A17 Roundabout, A47 Trunk Road From The Pullover Roundabout To The Hardwick Roundabout, A47 From J A17 To J A148 W, A47 Through J A148 E, A47 J A148 Leave E, Saddlebow Road, High Road Roundabout (Tilney St. Lawrence, Wiggenhall St. Germans, Tilney All Saints).

(If necessary the restriction could run for a maximum period of 18 months from the date of the Order).

Penalty: £1000 maximum fine on conviction and/or endorsement for contravention.

In the event of the start date being delayed the new start date will be displayed on site in advance.

The person dealing with enquiries at Norfolk County Council is Adrian Stout (Community and Environmental Services) Telephone 0344 800 8020.

Dated this 2^nd day of September 2022.

Time to Talk’ to your Police and Crime Commissioner

Residents across the county are being invited to meet with Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie to discuss any issues they may have about crime and policing in Norfolk.  

Giles’ next ‘Time to Talk’ session where people are given direct one-to-one access to him, is due to take place on Friday 2 September 2022. 

The ‘surgery-style’ event will be held virtually or over the telephone, with people being allocated 15-minute slots to raise any questions or concerns.

Giles launched his Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan for Norfolk earlier this year and would like to hear from anyone keen to raise any specific policing queries.

“My regular Time to Talk sessions are a key way Norfolk residents are able to get direct access to me to speak about any policing or crime issues in their area,” said Giles Orpen-Smellie. 

“They have been a real success to date, proving to be informative and constructive and I hope to hear from people from across the county.

“Whilst I am not able to intervene for one side against another in an open case, this is a perfect to way to raise any concerns with myself on a one-to-one basis.”

Giles’ regular ‘Time to Talk’ sessions are complemented by tours of towns and villages across Norfolk by the PCC throughout the year.

The sessions also come in addition to the quarterly PCC Accountability Meetings Giles hosts to publicly question, challenge and hold the Chief Constable and senior officers directly to account for their delivery of his plan, as well as raise questions submitted by people across the county.

If you are interested in booking a ‘Time to Talk’ session with the PCC on Friday 2 September, between 9.30am and 12.30pm, please email: opccn@norfolk.police.uk or call 01953 424455.  

Alternatively, you can submit a request for a meeting via the contact form on the Norfolk PCC website >>  

Requests must be submitted by no later than midday on Thursday 1 September. Please title your request ‘Time to Talk’. 

Healthwatch Norfolk Newsletter_August 30, 2022

Ukraine Crisis | Ukraine Crisis | Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (west-norfolk.gov.uk)