We are sharing this on behalf of Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Rural Affairs Unit, who are asking for your help.
If you have a few minutes to share your thoughts on the rural crime survey 202, it will offer valuable feedback about Rural & Wildlife crime across the force area.
Many thanks
Complete the survey here: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/forms/rcs
| We are currently undertaking a review of the Exmoor National Park Partnership Plan, and we’d love to have your input!
As a National Park Authority, we work in partnership with the community, local councils, businesses and other organisations to look after the National Park and promote its conservation and enjoyment. We want to ask all those with an interest in Exmoor – whether you are a local resident, business or visitor how you think things are changing on Exmoor and what you think are the key issues and opportunities to address over the next 5 years. |
| We want to conserve what is special about Exmoor, help people to experience and enjoy the National Park and to support the people who live and work here. Your answers will help us review and develop our Exmoor National Park ‘Partnership Plan 2024-2029’ – a strategic plan for the National Park shaped by all who care about Exmoor and its future. Find out more about the plan here.
· This survey should take around 10-15 minutes to complete. · If you are completing on a mobile device please ensure you have scrolled across for all answer options. · All answers are anonymous As a little thank you for your time a 5% discount code for our online Exmoor shop will be provided on submission. |
Benefice Newsletter 31st March 2023
Parish Council Minutes 27th March 2023 – (Draft until approved at the next meeting)
Timberscombe School Friday News 31.3.2023
The new unitary Somerset Council will launch on 1 April 2023. The new unitary council will bring together the services provided by the four district councils in Somerset (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton (SWT), and South Somerset) alongside the services provided by Somerset County Council.
The new Council will continue to work alongside the existing town and parish councils and their role is enhanced through new Local Community Networks.
On 1 April there will be one website for all your council services. The new website will replace the 6 websites that are currently being used by residents in Somerset.
The new Somerset Council website will use this web address: www.somerset.gov.uk.
Please click here to read the full press release.
2.April bolt-on prize announced for Somerset West Lottery players
The Somerset West Lottery is now running the April bolt-on prize draw.
Anyone buying one or more tickets between now and Saturday, 29 April, could win an Apple tech bundle, comprising a top-of-the-line iPhone 14 Pro, and an Apple Watch series 8 to keep connected on the move, courtesy of external lottery management company, Gatherwell. Players need not do anything differently – their normal weekly ticket(s) will automatically enter the April bolt-on prize draw.
Please click here to read the full press release.
3. Recruitment for new volunteers is now open.
As a team HM Coastguard is trained in Cliff, Mud and Water Rescue, along with Lost and Missing Persons Search and Casualty Care. For more information on what the role involves please head to: https://www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard.
For anyone interested in applying, the team will be holding a briefing session outside the Coastguard Station, Watchet Esplanade on Monday 27 March between 7:00-8:30pm.
The closing date for applications is noon on the 2 April 2023.
4. Voluntary and Community Sector Support – Talking Café Live (CCS)
Wednesday at 1pm
The Talking Cafe is an information and support cafe providing free advice and support to the public, run by the CCS Village and Community Agents. Online sessions broadcast live each Wednesday at 1pm where you can find out about the wonderful support available to people in Somerset, listen to people’s fascinating stories and learn about what’s happening in communities – all from the comfort of your own home! Watch any time on catch up.
Please click here to visit the Facebook page and see who will be joining the April Talking Café Live sessions.
5. Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) –Somerset Moves Activity Finder
SASP is powering the brand-new Somerset Moves Activity Finder which launches on the 3 April 2023 and will be a one-stop-shop for all physical activity and sport opportunities in Somerset. The new activity finder will make it easier for Somerset residents to find and book activities online, as a study by Sport England showed that 1 in 5 adults have been put off physical activity because it was too difficult to find or book online. It is hoped that this resource can assist in breaking down some of the barriers people face when it comes to participating in physical activity.
SASP have chosen to move to open data with the launch of the new activity finder as this will help to keep session information up to date. By harnessing open data, the activity providers themselves, will have the ability to make changes to their session information, when using an Open Active enabled system, their session data can be linked to their own website and the activity finder, meaning they will only have to make changes in one place and their session information will automatically be changed and pulled through to the activity finder as well as their own website.
Please click here to read the full press release.
6. Community Employment Hubs
The Employment Hubs are a free employment support service covering Taunton, West Somerset and Wellington.
Our friendly team can help you with:
Where we are and when we are open:
Volunteers needed
Could you help and support people in your local community towards work? If the answer’s yes, you will need the desire to help others, have general life experiences, as well as the enthusiasm to motivate people and raise their confidence and self-esteem. If you can spare some time, you could be just the volunteer, we value at any of our hub locations as listed above.
Volunteering roles on offer:
The Employment Hubs focus on offering one to one practical support such as CV writing, searching and applying for work, how to deal with online application forms, help with interviews and signposting to other agencies for further help and support.
For more information email: employmentsupport@somerset.gov.uk.
Somerset Sight is a local charity that has been supporting sight impaired people across Somerset for over a hundred years and in 2019 we proudly won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.
One of the services we offer is the Volunteer Visiting Service, whereby volunteers are matched locally with a sight impaired person for regular visits for company and support and to alleviate their loneliness and isolation.
Volunteer visitors help with a variety of tasks such as reading, correspondence, or making appointments, going out for a drive or just a cup of tea and a chat. Many volunteers get great satisfaction and enjoyment from their voluntary work, many friendships are formed and the people they support very much look forward to their visits, some telling us that it is the highlight of their week. Full training is provided and we cover all reasonable expenses. See link below for more details
Somerset Sight – VVS – Volunteer Poster 2022
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New Domestic Abuse Services
A new approach to domestic abuse services in Somerset aims to break the cycle of abuse, reduce repeat offending and offer stronger support for victims and families. Somerset County Council’s domestic abuse service – Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (SIDAS) – launches its new service this week (1 April) which will incorporate additional investment in safe accommodation and support to victims, perpetrators and children across Somerset.
The new wider service will offer a more holistic type of support, with interventions for anybody, of any risk factor, whose life is impacted by domestic abuse that they are experiencing or have experienced in the past.
From the first week in May, the support hub will be physically opening its doors between 5pm and 8pm – allowing people to access one-to-one support in person. In addition, the service is launching a number of pop-up hubs across the county allowing the public to get in person support in their area. To find a hub location near you got to: https://somersetsurvivors.org.uk/community-support/
SIDAS will be working with schools, businesses and other organisations to increase awareness of the signs of domestic abuse and how to respond to it.
There are five elements that have been awarded to three organisations:
Providing a place of contact for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. The Central Hub will coordinate those peoples’ support, ensuring they get the best service
Specialist support for children and young people who have experienced or witnessed abuse
Providing an increased range of safe accommodation options for people of all genders with or without children who are fleeing domestic abuse
James Dore, SIDAS Strategic Manager from The You Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working with Fearless and Julian House, to provide this new and expanded service. Working together we will be able to help more people than ever before.”
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, sexuality or religion – and help is available to anybody experiencing it. Domestic abuse remains an under-reported crime, particularly among male victims, older victims, and young people.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, worried about someone you know, or are concerned about the impact of your behaviour towards others, then help is available: www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk or by telephoning 0800 69 49 999, between 8am – 8pm.
In an emergency you should always dial 999. If you are worried that an abuser may overhear your call you can remain silent, tap the phone and dial 55 when prompted by the operator who will send help.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can register with emergencySMS.net. Once registered you will be able to send a text to 999 if you require help in an emergency.
Timberscombe 