Welcome to the April 2012 Partnership Newsletter. Don't forget we welcome information on events that are happening in your area. This is your opportunity to promote events and share your latest news, good practice and developments.
The Partnership website is also changing during April, this will now be known as the One Swindon Partnership website with the new address of www.oneswindon.org.uk please bookmark this new link in your favourites. You can now contact us at partnershipteam@swindon.gov.uk. Please update your contact lists to show this new address, the swindonsp@swindon.gov.uk address will not be monitored from the end of April.
Thames Water Drought Speaker programme
As you will know, the Thames Water region is experiencing a drought. Liz Banks, Community Investment and Education Manager at Thames Water, is currently coordinating the education aspect of the drought event, and would like to introduce you to the Drought Speaker Programme for schools and community groups.
Educating customers is a key part of Thames Water's campaign, and they would like the opportunity to give talks about the drought and how we can all help by saving water. Thames Water aims to visit as many schools and community groups as possible throughout the region and will endeavour to meet all requests received.
They are keen to talk with as many groups as possible and given the seriousness of the drought in our area, any help you can give in getting messages out to our communities would be appreciated.
If you have any queries about the programme Liz would be more than happy to discuss it with you - you can contact her directly on 07747 642005.
Schools and community groups can send their requests directly to racheal.fudge@dbda.co.uk as noted in the request form.
More information on the drought is also available at http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15371.htm
Local community asked to support unemployed young people
Over 80 people attended an event on Friday 24th February to launch the Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Swindon. Local youth charity Inner Flame, which is delivering the 12-week programme in partnership with Swindon College, appealed for businesses and other members of the community to get involved.
The event, hosted by Jury’s Inn, was attended by Swindon businesses and residents. They heard a message of support from the Mayor, Cllr Ray Ballman and an inspiring short talk from GB high jump athlete Rob Mitchell, who lives in Trowbridge.
Graham Moates, trustee of Inner Flame, will be Team Leader for the first programme which starts on 19th March. He outlined some of the ways that the community can support the programme, for example by:
- Providing 2 weeks’ work experience.
- Suggesting local organisations that might benefit from help from 15 volunteers over 1-2 weeks. During the course, participants choose, plan and deliver two volunteering projects for the community.
- Helping participants to develop their job hunting and interview skills.
The Team programme builds confidence and skills to give participants an advantage in a competitive job market. “With 1 in 5 young people unemployed, many feel stuck, with no prospects. We can help them move forward with their careers.” said David Wreathall, co-founder of Inner Flame.
For more information about the course, how you can help or if you are interested in taking part, call Graham Moates on 07976 301963, or email team@innerflame.org.uk.
For further information about The Prince’s Trust, visit www.princes-trust.org.uk or call 0800 842 842.
inSwindon's Loyalty Card
The Swindon Business Improvement District - inSwindon BID - has recently announced their latest project aimed at bringing more people into town by commissioning a town centre loyalty card.
Swindon Loyalty Card will be launched during the last week of June - coinciding with the Armed Forces week - and will give shoppers generous discounts in over 100 national and independent shops within Swindon town centre. more
Is fostering for you?
Foster Carers come from all different backgrounds. But they all have one thing in common - they care about children and want to help them through a difficult time in their lives. They also need to have a spare room. Foster Carers can be single, married or in same-sex partnerships. Some have children of their own living at home, some don't. Foster carers must be at least 21 years old and there is no upper age limit as long as they are fit enough to look after a child.
There are a range of fostering options available including short-term, permanent and respite. Read more....
Foster Care Fortnight is the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and attract new foster carers. Swindon Borough Council has joined this national campaign to encourage more foster carers to help the growing number of young people who are entering the social care system. Come along to the Brunel Centre on the 16th, 17th and 18th May to find out more.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Carer or have connections in the community where information could be distributed, please contact the Family Placement Team on 01793 465700 or e-mail: familyplacement@swindon.gov.uk
Forthcoming Events
Toothill Festival - 30th June 2012 - 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
One Swindon Conference - 19th July 2012 - more information will be available soon.
Locality Information
Watch this space for details on the forthcoming Weeks of Action. The Community Safety Partnership Team with the Locality Leads and Facilitators will be in your area with the Community Safety Bus. Come along and find out what's happening and how to be safe in your area.
- Town Centre - 14th - 18th May 2012
- North Central - 18th - 22nd June 2012
- East - 20th - 24th August 2012
- West - 15th - 19th October 2012
- North East - 25th - 29th February 2013
- North - 22nd - 26th April 2013
- South - 20th - 24th May 2013