This week’s news from around the Council.

• Covid-19 Update
  • The Government’s 4 Step roadmap out of lockdown can be found here.
  • Further detail on the Governments 4 step roadmap can be found here.
• Covid-19 Additional key messages
  • Q Covid and Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
    The Government has compiled a list of people who fall into the CEV category and who may require further support during the pandemic. South Staffordshire’s number of CEVs has increased by approximately 2,000, now totalling 6,800. The Council will be contacting these people to offer support.
  • Do It For What Matters
    A reminder to all who have been vaccinated, that it is still important to follow the hands, face, space guidelines.
  • Fertility and the Covid-19 Vaccine
    We understand that many people are concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 vaccination on fertility. Reassurance that the vaccine is perfectly safe for young women, can be found here.

• Leisure Centres prepare for phased re-opening

After the latest Government announcement, we are pleased to advise how the lifting of restrictions will enable us to gradually re-open the leisure centres.

• No earlier than 29 March: Outdoor sports can resume (3G pitches)
• No earlier than 12 April: Gyms and pools (including swimming lessons) can re-open
• No earlier than 17 May: Group exercise classes can be re-instated.

Easing of restrictions is dependent on data. The government will make further announcements to confirm re-opening around 7 days in advance of the new measures coming into force.

Safety is our priority – We continue to work to ensure that our facilities remain as safe as possible and we are pleased the leisure centres have been accredited as UK Active Covid-19 Response Approved venues meaning that we have been recognised for adopting adequate safety measures and protocols.

We will continue to provide more details when there is more clarity and certainty; on the re-opening of specific facilities. Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and updates from your local leisure centres.

• Covid-19 Winter support
  Partnership organisation, Staffordshire Warmer Homes, are offering financial support to those in financial distress due to Covid-19 this winter and have money for fuel to give to those in need of up to £200. Please share this link with any South Staffordshire residents who may be eligible for this financial support.
• Four Ashes development
  Click here for an update on progress at Four Ashes Enterprise Centre Extension and Four Ashes, Unit 4E Extension development. 

• Business Webinar: Social Media and Marketing for Businesses
  • Thursday 4 March 2021, 8.30am to 10am.

The Business Hub is hosting a webinar with guest speaker and expert in social media and marketing, Lynne Thomas. Lynne will be sharing her top tips to increase business sales through social media. Click here to register for the webinar.

• Prestigious Staffordshire Volunteer Awards to go ahead – Virtually!
  Support Staffordshire are delighted to announce, that despite the uncertainty that the pandemic brings at the present time, their prestigious 2021 Support Staffordshire Volunteer Star Awards will go ahead in 2021 – virtually.

Described by a previous host as ‘our own mini Pride of Britain Awards’ these events aim to publicly recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements and commitment of volunteers and organisations who go the extra mile to support our communities.

In 2019 more than 1,200 people attended ceremonies across Staffordshire with events held in all corners of the County. Sadly, due to lockdown restrictions the ceremonies had to be cancelled in 2020 with a view to rescheduling in 2021.

Lisa Carson, Fundraising Development Manager at Support Staffordshire said “When we cancelled the events last year we thought it would be a sure thing that we would easily be able to hold the events as usual in 2021.  However, we still find ourselves in a position of uncertainly and we really feel that this year more than ever, we really need to recognise the tireless work that so many wonderful volunteers are doing in the community.  Therefore, we are excited to announce that the events will be live streamed direct to your living room via YouTube!”.

The events organised by Support Staffordshire take place throughout June to mark the UK’s biggest celebration of Volunteering ‘National Volunteers’ Week’, 1-7 June.  This year there will be 4 ceremonies, Tamworth & Lichfield, Newcastle & Staffordshire Moorlands, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire and Stafford and East Staffordshire.

Nominations are being sought in the following 10 award categories in all areas.

• ‘Volunteering Support for Young People’
• ‘Volunteering Support for the over 65’s’
• ‘Personal Achievement’
• ‘Business Contribution to Communities’
• ‘Trustee of the Year’
• ‘New Volunteer Team of the Year’
• ‘Volunteer Team of the Year’
• ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’
• ‘Volunteer of the Year’
• ‘Lifetime Achievement’

Garry Jones, Chief Executive of Support Staffordshire said “We are delighted to be hosting the events virtually this year which has only been possible due to the generosity and support of local businesses. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our sector and these events are all about taking an hour or two to recognise the people who give their time freely, without promise of material reward, to help the people and places around them. We are already looking forward to reading the inspirational stories of local giving.”

Anyone can nominate an individual, group, organisation, or business they feel deserve to be recognised for their contribution.  This is a great opportunity for the community to say thank you.  Nominations can be made via their website.

The closing date is Friday 30 March at 5pm.

For more information about how to nominate or for details on sponsorship opportunities visit the Support Staffordshire website, email us at [email protected] or call us on 0300 777 1207.

• Children and young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing
  • Children’s Mental Health Course – Free
    Public Health England has launched a new online Psychological First Aid (PFA) training course for people who care or work with children and young people who have been affected by Covid-19. This is a 3-week course which you can do as and when suits you, with 1 hour study each week.
  • Venue to Virtual – Free
    Kidz to Adultz are putting on ‘Venue to Virtual,’ a free online event, in the week beginning 1 March 2021. This event is aimed at those who work with, support, or care for a child or young adult with a disability or additional needs and gives information that can help improve their quality of life.
  • Interactive map of Children & Young People’s Mental Health Support in South Staffordshire

Staffordshire County Council have launched a new interactive map of Children & Young People’s Mental Health Support. It shows the local services that support children and young people’s emotional and mental health.

• Supporting resources
  Children and young people may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to the Covid-19 outbreak such as anxiety, stress or low mood. It is important to understand that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation.
• “Kind Minds” Newsletter
  Pulled together by various Staffordshire organisations, it gives local useful information about children and young people’s emotional wellbeing. 

• Children’s Book Club
  Free online Book Club sessions are being held to promote language development through stories, rhymes, and other activities. Click here for details on the next Bookstart programme.
• Keeping Children Safe
  The next Safe + Sound programme, delivered by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, went live on Wednesday 24 February.  Safe + Sound is aimed at Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.  Topics covered were:
  • Online Safety – WhatsApp
  • Mini Dens with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
  • The Green Cross Code
  • First Aid – Strokes
  • More Breathing Techniques for Relaxation

Parents and carers can access this session and previous sessions here.

• Council Job vacancies
  • Career Graded Senior Planning Officers x2, Development Management, Closing 5pm Monday 22 March 2021 – application information.
  • Senior Arboricultural Officer Development Management, Closing 5pm Monday 22 March 2021 – application information.
  • Strategic Projects Assistant Team Manager, Development Management, Closing 5pm Monday 22 March 2021 – application information.
• Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
  • Personal Development Review and Appointments Panel – 1 March 2021 – 10.15 am – public virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams. In the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website, you will find the relevant news item that will include a link to enable you to join.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: [email protected]