B&NES Council are providing £250 grants to low-income households to help with energy costs this winter. If you know someone that may be eligible for this scheme then the full application details can be found here. They will provide the grants by issuing pre-paid debit cards. You can use the debit cards online or in store to pay for energy related expenses. You cannot use the debit cards to withdraw cash from ATMs or to obtain cashback. You can only use the pre-paid debit cards to help with the following types of expenditure: Electricity costs Gas cost Other household fuel (e.g., Kerosene) Blankets and bedding Clothing Boiler repairs or servicing You can use the prepaid debit cards on pre-payment meters, online or telephone payments. Please note, you may need to provide receipts as proof of expenditure. To find out more and apply for the Household Support Fund, please visit this page.

3SG welcomes new employee Emma! We're really excited to announce a new addition to our team, Emma, who has started in a brand new role as a part-time Administrator. As the 3SG membership continues to grow, with over 160 local organisations now part of the network, it was the perfect time to grow the team and ensure we’re able to continue to offer support in a range of ways. Emma’s official first day was yesterday, so our Coordinator Miles, took the opportunity to ask a few questions to find out more about Emma and her motivations behind joining 3SG. You can read the full Q&A below: Tell us a little bit about yourself (Where you live or are from, studying? Hobbies etc) Hi! So I’m from Bath originally, but I’ve lived all over including Leeds, Swansea and St. Albans. I got my bachelors degree in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of Leeds, and am currently studying part time for my masters in International Relations at the University of Bristol, alongside my commitment to 3SG. I enjoy reading, cooking ( my brownies are legendary!), socialising with friends and travelling (when possible!). I’m a big animal lover too, and my cat is the apple of my eye! What interested you about working for 3SG? Have you had any previous involvement/experience with third sector organisations? I have worked and volunteered with third sector organisations in the past, namely a small Chinese heritage charity in London, and the RSPCA in Leeds. I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with both and felt strongly that the culture and work ethics of the third sector were well aligned with my own motivations and interests. Overall, I’m very keen to pursue job satisfaction in an organisation that allows me to be creative, and to help others. I feel that 3SG is a great fit for me in this regard, and I’m excited to contribute and get involved in a variety of projects. What are you most looking forward to doing as part of your role? I’m looking forward to learning more about the charities and third sector groups of BaNES, and the different ways that we can support them. I’m also excited by the fact that the role is brand new, and 3SG is growing, and all the variety of opportunities and different projects this may bring to the role and team. What food could you not live without? My absolute favourite cuisine is Indian. I spent a month in India and never got tired of the food, it’s delicious! You can get in touch with the 3SG team by emailing contact@3sg.org.uk or call us on 01225 683087

In October 2021 BHAS (Keynsham Abbey Working Group) received funding from Love Your Park Community Fund (a new fund launched in July 2021 by Your Park Bristol and Bath). Part of this funding was for the development and launch of a website featuring Keynsham Abbey, its history, archaeology and current events at the Abbey remains located in Keynsham Memorial Park. They are pleased to announce that a website has now been created and launched. The site can be found at: www.keynshamabbey.com Please do explore the site. You will see that there is room to add information in the form of future events listings and also in the form of blogs which can explore specific aspects of the Abbey’s history and archaeology or showcase recent events. The remainder of the funding from Love Your Park Community Fund is for the creation of a new sign located at the Abbey remains and for additional medieval planting. They expect to be able to give further information on the rest of the project within the next few months. BHAS, Keynsham Abbey Working Group 03.01.2022

Launched in October 2020 and funded by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social care, Boloh is a national helpline targeting carers and parents from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, and asylum seekers. The name hails from the Hindi and Urdu, 'to talk' or 'speak', and aims to provide advice on respiratory illness and support those disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The helpline runs two main projects: • To support families with young children experiencing coughs, colds and chest infections this winter. • A project to support the mental health and wellbeing of adult asylum seekers Specialist helpline advisors work in a culturally informed manner and are knowledgeable about the lived experiences of parents and carers from these communities. Helpline Advisors speak a range of languages including English, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Albanian and Polish. Callers can also access interpreters when required. Staff do not provide clinical advice, but have been trained by health professionals to signpost callers to the right medical support when needed. Boloh can be accessed by phone (0800 151 2605; free from mobiles and landlines), web chat and email Boloh.helpline@barnardos.org.uk For more information please visit https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/

The Free Creative opportunities in the attached brochure is an invitation to anyone caring for others or who are cared for to benefit from some wellbeing creative sessions. This includes those in Care Homes - staff and residents - and the wider community. On offer is over 170 inspiring, uplifting and energising support sessions, activities and resources, running from January - March 2022. Check out the attached brochure to find out more about these events and activities. There are still lots of spaces on these courses so please do get involved if this is something of interest to you or someone within your network. Book your place via the online BaNES Wellbeing College – search for the activity on the calendar - Courses for Care Workers: https://wellbeingcollegebanes.co.uk Click here to read the brochure and learn more

The Live Well BaNES programme comprises the Council’s SEND Local Offer, Universal/Early Help/Family Information and Care Act information and signposting for adults needing care or support. Live Well B&NES has a huge wealth of resources that are useful to support those working with CYP and families. The information is available to everyone, 24 hours a day and is kept up-to-date by the LWB team. Upon creating a log-in, a 'favourites' list may also be created to quickly locate those resources most helpful to you. The full range of services and resources are available here The Live Well team are also happy to pop along to a team meeting to give a mini tour of the site, and welcome feedback and suggestions.

Well Bath have studio space suitable for yoga, rehearsals, workshops, parties, team-building, and more. The room is 9 meters by 7 meters and has underfloor heating, lovely views and is very well lit. Here you can see photos of the space and more info on how to book: https://wellbath.co.uk/space-rental

On 6 January 2022, the Government made new legislation1 , approved by Parliament, which amended the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”). This extends the scope of mandatory vaccination requirements for staff beyond registered care homes to health and wider social care settings in England. https://www.mhcc.nhs.uk/news/vaccination-condition-of-deployment-cqc-service/ The regulations provide that the registered person can only deploy or otherwise engage a person for the purposes of the provision of a CQC-regulated activity, in which they have direct, face to face contact with patients and service users, if the person provides evidence that they have been vaccinated with a complete course of a Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved COVID-19 vaccine. This is subject to specific exemptions and conditions. The vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) requirements include front-line workers, as well as non-clinical workers not directly involved in patient care but who may have face to face contact with patients, including ancillary staff such as porters, cleaners or receptionists. The VCOD regulations allow a grace period for compliance and the requirement will come into force on 1 April 2022. From 1 April 2022, as with workers, it will become law that any volunteer engaged for the purposes of the provision of a CQC regulated activity and who has face-to-face contact with people receiving care must be fully vaccinated with an authorised COVID-19 vaccine or be able to demonstrate that they fall into the listed exemptions. The registered or nominated person (eg NHS Trust Head of Volunteering) will have a discussion with you to confirm whether your role is in scope of the new regulations and if so, you will only be able to continue providing services if you are vaccinated or provide evidence of your exemption. The deadline to receive a first vaccination to hit the 1 April new law is 3rd February 2022 Link to frequently asked questions: Coronavirus » Vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) for healthcare workers: frequently asked questions (england.nhs.uk)

Who is Bath RAG? Bath RAG is a student-led fundraising group at the University of Bath, RAG stands for Raise and Give. RAG has a student committee and several project/fundraising leaders. What is the Big 4 Grant? Each yeah Bath RAG supported by the Students Union, fundraise through a variety of means for a grant that is equally split between four chosen Charites. Students also spend the year promoting and volunteering with the organisations raising their profile and other activities. Two of the biggest fundraisers RAG is entering the Bath Half and selling tickets for the ROTORY Clubs firework display. In a usual year we aim to give each charity between £2k and £5k. Timeline and how to apply The process and general timings of the Big Four selection are as follows: Application link: www.thesubath.com/rag/appeal/big42022 Application guidance: www.thesubath.com/rag/appeal/big4granthelp January: Applications open. Charities must complete an application form in full and submit this by the deadline of 28th February 10:00 am February: The student population are asked to vote for one charity in each of the four categories they would like to support in the next academic year. February / March: A panel made up of RAG committee members, the SU Activities Officer, and Volunteering Staff members will review the applications to create a shortlist of up to 16 charities. These charities are usually categorised under four general headings linked to the aims of the organisation, for example, 'Health'. March: Announcement. We aim to announce the four charities selected shortly after the vote. September: Support starts. The new academic year will start and RAG will begin fundraising for their new Big Four. Previous awardees This year we are supporting Bath Mind, Alzheimer’s Society, Bath Welcomes Refugees and Three Ways School. For more information or to discuss further, you can email RAG on rag@bath.ac.uk or email Joshua RAGs staff support on ragstaff@bath.ac.uk

Crowdfunder has recently partnered with Nectar in order to launch a new charitable initiative - Nectar Donate. Launched on January 24th, this exciting new scheme will allow Nectar card users - some 18 million in the UK - to convert their Nectar points into donations to participating local or national charities of their choice; creating new opportunities for charities to receive all-important donations. Anyone wishing to make use of the new scheme must sign up for a Crowdfunder account, if not already registered, and link it with their Nectar account. Points can then be donated at checkout by selecting 'Donate with Nectar'. Charities eager to take part in this new scheme can create a charity profile on Crowdfunder, to enable their supporters to easily donate to their favourite good causes via Nectar points. Find out more about how the scheme works on the Crowdfunder website - Click here.

The CCG and Council are delighted to announce that following a successful recruitment process with Gatenby Sanderson, Natalia Lachkou has been appointed to the role of Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning. Natalia is a social worker by background and has worked in Oxfordshire County Council in a joint health and social care commissioning role with a focus on Children’s and Adults Social Care for the CCG and Council. Natalia will start her role on the 21st March 2022; Please feel free to welcome Natalia to BANES and her new role. Natalia will be at the heart of working across the social care and health system, building strong local partnerships, and she comes to BANES with a wealth of expertise both in operations and commissioning.

The RSVP programme is a specialist service ran by Developing Health & Independence (DHI) in the BaNES area. RSVP work with individuals who have become confrontational or aggressive to partners/ex-partners or family members. They are not a relationship counselling or anger management service but can support individuals to develop healthy relationships. They are currently taking referrals for their 10 week 1-2-1 programme, helping those who have acknowledged a shift in their behaviour to make changes for the better. RSVP can offer the tools to make positive changes towards a respectful relationship with family and partners. If anyone you work with has acknowledged displaying aggressive or confrontational tendencies, as outlined in the brochure, please consider a referral to RSVP. Further information about the service and benefits can be sought from Mel Davis - RSVP Coordinator. Contact her on: 07970 889165, DHI: 01225 329411 or email: r2@dhi-services.org.uk

Following hundreds of applications, the Bath Life Award finalists have now been announced. Special congratulations to our fellow third sector members in the Charity category: - Children's Hospice South West - Cleveland Pools Trust - Designability - Genesis Trust Bath - Mentoring Plus - Project 28 - Share and Repair - St John's Foundation - Trauma Recovery Centre - We Get It We applaud your achievements thus far and wish you the best of luck for the final on March 3rd 2022. To read more about the Bath Life Awards and finalists, click here

Bath Organic Group are delighted to share the news that they have been successfully awarded an incredible £3000 of funding from the Royal Horticultural Society. They aim to use this funding to develop a 1 acre plot near Victoria Park. The extra funding will mean Bath Organic Group can continue to provide opportunities for volunteers to enjoy healthy produce, fresh air and friendly company; make use of unworked plots; extend compost systems and water conservation efforts; and arrange workshops for members and the public. Bath Organic Group are actively welcoming new volunteers and encouraging fresh faces to get involved at this exciting time of growth. If interested, pop down to the garden between 10am - 1pm on Tuesdays or Saturdays. Click here to check out their website or contact Marion East for more information on 07586358492 or marion.east10@gmail.com

With the high demand for hospital beds across the district, Bath and North East Somerset’s Community Wellbeing Hub is offering practical support to patients well enough to leave hospital and continue their recovery at home. The Hub, which is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council, HCRG Care Group and third sector organisations, has secured £16k of funding to provide 400 Hospital Essential Leavers Packs (HELP). The packs aim to help patients discharged from hospital to ease their transition back home, reduce readmission and prevent avoidable costs. The packs will provide: Three meals (breakfast, lunch and an evening meal) for three days together with snacks, drinks and essential toiletries. A welfare telephone call within 24 hours of receiving this pack (only Monday to Friday), and a follow up call one week later, and a further call at 28 days from the Community Wellbeing Hub Team. Onward referrals to other services and support – with welfare visits in certain circumstances. Practical information for other support services. The packs will be distributed to patients discharged from hospital or will be offered to patients to avoid hospital admission, between January and March. Jo Scammell, Head of Commissioning, HCRG Care Group said: “These HELP packs give people the practical support they need in the immediate days after returning home and access to ongoing support should they require it.” Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adults said: “Our hospitals always come under enormous strain during the peak winter months, but over the next few weeks the pressure on beds is expected to be exceptional with a predicted increase in admissions due to Covid. “Often people are well enough to leave hospital and continue their recovery at home but are unable to do so because they don’t have support. The Community Wellbeing Hub can help fill this void.” The HELP packs will also be made available to any health professional making a referral, including GPs and community reablement teams to help prevent hospital admissions. Set up at the start of the pandemic, the Hub continues to offer health and wellbeing services to residents and support for the most vulnerable. It offers a range of services to support people to: Keep active and healthy Achieve a healthy weight Access food, transport or medication Improve mental health and wellbeing Stop smoking Access housing advice Employment issues and advice Residents can contact the team at the Hub on 0300 247 0050 Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. For more information, please contact Lucy Hanney, Practitioner Health Improvement.

On Tuesday 25th January, Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre celebrated its first anniversary by recognising BANES 3rd Sector Group’s (3SG) volunteers and all clinical, administrative and marshal staff and other volunteers who have supported the vaccine programme. Since opening in January 2021 the vaccination centre has delivered over 235,000 vaccinations including 51,000 booster jabs, making Bath Racecourse the best performing vaccination centre in the South West. All five hundred 3SG volunteers who are actively supporting the vaccine programme will receive a certificate of recognition to say thank you for their time volunteering at the Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre over the last year. The celebration event was a lunchtime gathering with refreshments and gifts of flowers to volunteers and staff were presented by Alison Ryan, Chair of RUH, Bath and Michelle Follett-Holt, Staff Engagement Lead & Support Staff Coordinator, Bath Racecourse Large Vaccination Centre, RUH Bath. The event was attended by Bath Racecourse staff, charity leaders, clinical, administrative and security staff and the Chief Executive of the RUH, Cara Charles-Barks. 3SG Volunteer Susanne Haselgrove was presented with flowers at the event for volunteering over 100 shifts and two other 3SG volunteers, Sean Harrington and Colin Blackman have since received gifts for doing over 90 shifts each. Flowers were also presented to the top performing clinical, administrative and security staff to recognise their efforts over the past year. Several 3SG volunteers attended the first anniversary celebration at Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre including Susanne Haselgrove, Tim and Ruth Whitemore, Kerriane Gauld, Sarah Pinder, Hazel Cresswell, David Roberts and Sarah Page. Both Ruth and Tim Whitemore worked as volunteers on the Centre’s first shift on 25 January 2021. In the first lockdown 3SG’s team rapidly mobilized over 2,000 Emergency Response Volunteers to help BANES residents affected by the government’s COVID-19 measures. Since COVID-19 lockdown restrictions eased many Emergency Response volunteers have continued to work as marshals supporting the vaccination programme at Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre. James Carlin BEM, Director at BANES 3rd Sector Group (3SG) commented: “Our thanks to all the 3SG volunteers who attended the first anniversary celebration at Bath Racecourse and to those who received gifts following the event. We are delighted that almost five hundred active 3SG volunteers will receive certificates of recognition for their hard work supporting the vaccination programme at Bath Racecourse over the last year. We’d like to thank all volunteers past and present who have offered their time and support, you have played an important role in making the Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre the best performing vaccination centre in the South West.” Susanne Haselgrove a 3SG volunteer from Fairfield Park in Bath, commented: “It was a lovely surprise to receive a gift of flowers at the first anniversary celebration. I am honoured to have worked with the most amazing staff and volunteers at the Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre as well as with the 3SG team. I greatly enjoyed all of my 100 shifts over the last year. Volunteers are often the first point of contact for people attending the vaccination centre so it has been a pleasure to offer a warm welcome, a bit of reassurance and to explain what to expect during the vaccine process. I’m pleased I’ve been able to make a small contribution to such an important vaccine programme.” Susanne was also interviewed by BBC Radio Somerset, which you can listen to below. Michelle Follett-Holt, Staff Engagement Lead & Support Staff Coordinator, Bath Racecourse Large Vaccination Centre, RUH, Bath NHS Foundation Trust said: “A huge thank you to all those in the community who have helped support the vaccination centre whether as staff or volunteers. We are thrilled that your hard work has been recognised and that the vaccination centre has been named the best performing centre in the South West. The vaccination centre remains open for all those eligible for a vaccination, offering walk in appointments or you can book in advance via the national booking system.” To read the full RUH press release click here To find out more about volunteering opportunities across the Banes area visit www.3sg.org.uk or the www.wellbeinghub.org

Bath Area Forum are delighted to announce some of the fantastic services available to young people in Bath. This week's meeting will showcase these services to enable you to learn more. During the meeting, which is being held via Zoom on Wednesday 2 February at 6pm, residents will be able to find out how young people across the district are benefitting from projects run by Youth Connect South West, Bath Rugby Foundation, Project 28 and Boys in Mind. The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture. Councillor Romero said: “The lives of young people have been significantly impacted by the pandemic: their schooling has been disrupted, they’ve been cut off from their friends, some lost their jobs and many say its affected their mental and emotional health. “Fortunately, in Bath & North East Somerset we have a range of wonderful services providing counselling, support and activities for young people. During the Bath Area Forum residents will be able to find out more about their work and the difference they are making to young people’s lives.” The Bath Area Forum, which is open to all residents, is supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council and brings together public services, local organisations and residents to improve local engagement, encourage people to talk to each other and share their skills and ideas. The forum is one of five within Bath and North East Somerset. The others are Keynsham, Chew Valley, Bathavon and Somer Valley. You can find more information and meeting dates on the council website. To join the Zoom meeting on 6pm on 2 February, residents will need to register in advance. You can watch the Area Forum live, or at a later time, on the council’s YouTube channel

As part of National HIV Testing Week 2022 which will run from 7th-13th Feb, the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) are offering residents in all parts of England access to free online HIV testing. Free online HIV testing kits are available to order online for B&NES residents from now until 13th February from freetesting.hiv. HIV testing is quick, free and easy, and you can even test at home. You send away a small blood sample via a simple prick-test, and receive results in around a week. Anyone diagnosed with HIV can access free treatment and support. Public Health BaNES recommends at least annual testing, and encourages everyone to get involved in National HIV Testing Week. To learn more about National HIV Testing Week, click here To order your free testing kit click here

Are you looking to start up a project for good, or accelerate the impact of your social enterprise, charity or community business? Discover the Bath and North East Somerset Social Entrepreneurs Programme – an exciting range of fully-funded support including, workshops, events, networks, one-to-one consultancy, grant (money you don’t pay back) and an entrepreneurship support programme. Discover the support available here from February to June 2022. The application deadline has been extended until 1pm, Thursday 17th February. It is led by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority and 3SG and is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund

Jay Blades of The Repair Shop Has Learnt to Read, Now Adults in Bath Can Learn Too! Jay Blades, star of The Repair Shop, has featured on a BBC documentary charting his journey learning to read as an adult with a Read Easy reading coach. The programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Read Easy is a charity with groups across the UK, who are passionate about transforming lives through a proven, confidential programme of free, one-to-one, volunteer-led adult reading coaching. Read Easy Bath was launched in December 2020 and is now providing free one to one coaching for adults who want to learn to read. They currently have nine adults learning to read, each working one-to-one with a volunteer reading coach and they have capacity for more. If you are someone who would like to learn to read or you know someone who would, Read Easy Bath can help. Read Easy Bath Team leader, David Hassard, said, ‘We’re delighted that Jay Blades is sharing his experience as an adult learner and hope that it inspires other adults to come forward. In Bath, we are all geared up to help. We have fully trained volunteer reading coaches who are waiting to be paired with readers. It’s a confidential, free service with coaching done at a pace to suit each learner.’ Read Easy Bath is also looking for adults who want to learn to read. If you know someone who would like to learn to read or are an agency who might be able to put us in touch with potential readers, please contact David Hassard at bath@readeasy.org.uk or on 07976 160838. For further information on this or to request an interview, please contact David on the email/number above or head to their website.