Friday, 24 May 2013

Hampshire County Council's street lighting replacement programme will be arriving in Colden Common in August, improving local streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment.

Much of the county's lighting stock is over 30 years old and needs replacing. As part of the improvement programme, 150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards across Hampshire are being replaced or upgraded with the latest technology in energy saving lamps and dimming controls. Hampshire's new street lighting will also comply with Government targets for carbon reduction. The new lighting in Colden Common will see the replacement of approximately 84 lanterns and a further 160 lanterns and posts.

A number of streetlights belonging to the parish council will not form part of the project. There will be signs to indicate ownership and details of the number to call in the event of a fault.

This long term investment will help improve the county's energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions. As well as replacing older lighting columns which are coming to the end of their life, the new lamps will improve lighting levels on the ground, reduce light pollution at night and help make people feel safer in town centres and residential streets.

The preparation and planning for the Street Lighting programme aims to keep disruption to a minimum by coordinating work with other schemes and ensuring that work on key roads is planned to take place outside of rush hour periods.

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

"A good foster carer is like a safety net. I knew that if I messed up someone would be there to catch me. Good carers don't judge you and you can tell them anything."

Powerful words from a young person who knows the very real and positive difference a foster carer can make to a vulnerable young person's life.

Nikki is 18 now and living independently in supported lodgings but to mark Fostercare Fortnight , 13- 27 May, she is helping Hampshire County Council to raise awareness of Fostering in a bid to recruit more carers.

Nikki, who is one of Hampshire's Care Ambassadors supporting other young people in care, spent around ten years in foster care. She still has contact with the family she lived with prior to living independently. "Penny was everything I could have wanted in a foster carer," said Nikki. "She made me feel at home in her family, she understood the difficult things I was dealing with. When I made mistakes she was there to help me but she never judged me. A good foster placement helps you feel safe and secure and for me it enabled me to be a child again."

Security and stability are very important for vulnerable children coming into foster care. Emma, 19, who is studying Philosophy at university with the aim of becoming a teacher has lived with foster carers for the past five years. She said the ability to give and take is key to the success of a placement. "Sometimes carers need to stick with it," she said. "When you come into care you may have a range of feelings, there may be upset, stress and some conflict. It's really important for carers to be willing to work through the hiccups. My carers are lovely people, supportive, consistent, and reflective. I can talk things through with them and they don't let problems escalate."

Like Nikki and Emma, children and young people are looked after by the local authority in foster placements when their own family, for whatever reason, is unable to care for them. It is often a time of turmoil and the one thing they need is someone who will be there for them, listen to them and support them with whatever challenges they are facing.

Nicky from Waterlooville is one of Hampshire's dedicated team of foster carers. She and her husband Steve have looked after around 25 children in the five years they have been fostering. They currently have four boys living with them and their own teenage son. "It certainly makes for a full house," said Nicky, "but I can't remember it being any different. It's the little things which make it so rewarding. I had one little boy and no-one had ever sat and read a book with him. He was so happy to do that and his enjoyment was great to see."

Nicky mainly fosters older boys now and it is not without its challenges: "It's not always easy," she said "but when you see a young person who may have come to you troubled or quiet and withdrawn, gain in confidence, smile and succeed at things they didn't think they could do, it is worth it."

It is not just the child who benefits. Nicky is in touch with one mum of two boys she cared for. "Mum really turned her life round so she could have her boys back. She and the boys are doing well. That's when fostering really works and it is a pleasure to see."

The County Council is always on the lookout for more people, like Nicky, who can rise to the challenge and make a real difference to a vulnerable young person's life by being a foster carer. Right now the County Council is especially keen to hear from people who can offer a stable and caring home environment to a teenager, sibling groups, or children with complex needs. Opportunities exist which range from long-term caring roles to respite and short break care. Carers are also needed to support parents and babies.

Anyone can be a foster carer as long as they have what it takes to care for children. To help foster carers Hampshire County Council has a range of training courses and comprehensive support recognised by Ofsted who judged the Fostering Service to be good with outstanding features. The Council also offers a competitive package of fees and allowances according to skills and experience.

John Coughlan, Hampshire County Council's Director of Children's Services said: "Foster carers like Nicky are vital to us - without them our job of ensuring good outcomes for vulnerable children would be much harder. It can be challenging at times as all parenting can be, but carers tell us it is a very rewarding role and as we can see from the testimony of Nikki and Emma being a foster carer is a chance to make a real difference to children's lives."

To find out more about how you can make a difference, call the Foster Care team on 0845 603 5620 or log on to the website.

• Foster with Hampshire County Council

Monday, 20 May 2013

A campaign designed to remind Hampshire residents and visitors to be 'tick aware' this summer includes new leaflets on how to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Part of a national programme by Public Health England (PHE), the campaign aims to raise awareness of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses among health professionals and the public. Ticks are small, spider-like creatures most common in late spring, summer and autumn. a tick is the size of a poppy seed and once detected, it is important to remove the tick with tweezers as soon as possible to reduce the risk of getting bitten and becoming ill. Most ticks do not carry the infection but any area where ticks are present could be a potential risk for Lyme disease.

Dr Ruth Milton, Hampshire's Director of Public Health said: "We want people to go out and enjoy the countryside this summer but it's important to be aware of ticks which can bite and lead to unpleasant illnesses such as Lyme disease. The new leaflets help explain the risks and how to avoid and treat tick bites.

"As there is currently no effective vaccine against Lyme disease, the most important ways to protect yourself and your family are by being 'tick aware', avoiding tick infested areas, wearing the right clothing where ticks are more common and quickly removing any attached ticks.

"Not all tick bites result in disease, but some can transmit bacteria that cause diseases such as Lyme disease, which can lead to very serious conditions if left untreated. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include a circular rash, tiredness and muscle and joint pain.

"Lyme disease can be contracted in parks, gardens and rural areas across most of the country, and is common in areas such as the New Forest and South Downs. Therefore it is important to raise awareness of this disease amongst our residents and those who visit the area."

Since June 2012 1,928 samples from Hampshire have been tested for Lyme Disease by Public Health England's Rare and Imported Pathogens Department at Porton Down. Of these, 190 were found to be positive for Lyme Disease - approximately 10%. Most cases occurred between June and August, however not all samples necessarily belong to Hampshire residents as the data reflects samples sent from hospital laboratories within Hampshire rather than residents. The positive rate of around 10% is consistent across the UK.

Cases are often the result of outdoor activities including camping, walking, hiking and mountain-biking, where tick exposure is more likely.

• A factsheet providing important health advice and some basic precautions is available from PHE

Friday, 17 May 2013

Hampshire County Council's street lighting replacement programme will be arriving in Bishops Waltham in June 2013, improving local streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment.

Much of the county's lighting stock is over 30 years old and needs replacing. As part of the improvement programme, 150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards across Hampshire are being replaced or upgraded with the latest technology in energy saving lamps and dimming controls. Hampshire's new street lighting will also comply with Government targets for carbon reduction. The new lighting in Bishops Waltham will see the replacement of approximately 283 lanterns and a further 303 lanterns and posts.

This long term investment will help improve the county's energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions. As well as replacing older lighting columns which are coming to the end of their life, the new lamps will improve lighting levels on the ground, reduce light pollution at night and help make people feel safer in town centres and residential streets.

The preparation and planning for the Street Lighting programme aims to keep disruption to a minimum by coordinating work with other schemes and ensuring that work on key roads is planned to take place outside of rush hour periods.

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Hampshire County Council is encouraging parents to swap their car for a ticket to stride on the school run instead, with their children, during Walk to School Week (20- 24 May).

Over ninety thousand Hampshire-based school children have signed up to take part in Walk to School Week 2013, encouraging parents and children to take the opportunity to try walking to school and putting into practice good pedestrian road safety behaviour. All children taking part in Walk to School Week will receive a log book, certificate and stickers.

Walk to School Week is the initiative of national charity 'Living Streets'. According to the charity, by walking to school, parents say they find the journey to school less stressful, their petrol bill goes down, their children perform better at school and both they and their children feel healthier and fitter.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage as many school children and their families across the county to give walking a go during Walk to School Week. It is a more active way to start the day and can help improve concentration in the classroom. It can also be beneficial in helping children develop life long road safety skills and their sense of independence, as well as being fun.

Number of children participating by district.

East Hants 7,860
Basingstoke 13,170
Eastleigh 9,060
Fareham 8,435
Gosport 5,995
Hart 6,860
Havant 7,705
New Forest 9,980
Rushmoor 6,835
Test Valley 8,265
Winchester 6,455

Total 90,620

• Walk to School Week

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Hampshire County Council's street lighting replacement programme will be arriving in Four Marks in June 2013, improving local streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment.

Much of the county's lighting stock is over 30 years old and needs replacing. As part of the improvement programme, 150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards across Hampshire are being replaced or upgraded with the latest technology in energy saving lamps and dimming controls. Hampshire's new street lighting will also comply with Government targets for carbon reduction.

The new lighting in Four Marks will see the replacement of approximately 29 lanterns and a further 105 lanterns and posts. The majority of the work will focus on improving lighting along the A31.

This long term investment will help improve the county's energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions. As well as replacing older lighting columns which are coming to the end of their life, the new lamps will improve lighting levels on the ground, reduce light pollution at night and help make people feel safer in town centres and residential streets.

The preparation and planning for the Street Lighting programme aims to keep disruption to a minimum by coordinating work with other schemes and ensuring that work on key roads is planned to take place outside of rush hour periods.

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

To mark Dementia Awareness Week (19 - 25 May), Hampshire County Council is holding a number of events to promote greater understanding of the condition, which mainly affects older people.

Dementia Awareness Week is the Alzheimer's Society's annual flagship awareness-raising campaign and this year's theme is 'talking'.

The events are being co-ordinated by Andover Mind, who are commissioned by Hampshire County Council to deliver the new Hampshire-wide Dementia Friendly Communities project, as well as provide services for people with dementia and their carers.

Around one quarter of the population of Hampshire is likely to be over the age of 60 by 2026 with the largest growth being in the number of people aged 85 and over. One in six people over the age of 80 have dementia but currently only a third to a half of older people with dementia receive a diagnosis. People can, and do, live well with dementia and early diagnosis can improve a person's quality of life and help them to maintain independence for longer.

Monday 20 May 2013

• Alresford Library 10.00am -1.00pm: leaflets display/information session
• Information session at St Thomas' Care Home, Basingstoke

Tuesday 21 May

• Bishop Waltham Library poster/leaflets 2.30- 3.30 pm and Dementia Friends session
• The Wellbeing Centre, Vyne Rd Basingstoke - information session
• Fareham Library - find out more about dementia and dementia-friendly communities

Wednesday 22 May

• Fareham Shopping Centre - taking over a shop in the shopping centre with a display and several awareness raising information session
• Information session at Randell House, Blackwater

Thursday 23 May

• New Milton Mind Charity Shop, 118 Station Rd New Milton - raising awareness of dementia including a stand and posters

Friday 24 May

• Hart Shopping Centre in Fleet - find out more about dementia and how the community can help 9.30 -1.00pm in conjunction with Hart DC, Alzheimer's Society, Hart Voluntary Action and Minding the Garden

Saturday 25 May

• Hart Shopping Centre in Fleet - find out more about dementia and how the community can help 9.30 - 1.00pm in conjunction with Hart DC, Alzheimer's Society, Hart Voluntary Action and Minding the Garden

Monday 20 May - Friday 25 May

• Andover Library - display and information available at 'help point' in the library. Stand will be manned every morning during the week by Dementia Advice and DementiaFriendly Communities staff and volunteers.

Hampshire County Council, NHS Hampshire, Andover Mind and The Alzheimer's Society have teamed up to provide a Dementia Advice service across Hampshire to support the delivery of the Joint Hampshire Commissioning strategy for Older Peoples Mental Health.

The strategy identifies the need to develop further information and signposting services for older people with mental health needs and their carers. The Dementia Advice Service helps people access appropriate care, support and advice.

The new Dementia Friendly Communities project, commissioned by Hampshire County Council and delivered by Andover Mind aims to create an engaged community, enthusiastic about and supportive of people with dementia. The project will involve and empower people with dementia and their carers, giving them a role in developing communities which enable them to 'live well' with dementia.

Other ways the County Council supports work to help people with dementia and their carers is through grants to voluntary organisations.

• Dementia Awareness Week

Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Businesses across south Hampshire are being invited to compete in the 'My Journey' Commuter Challenge by completing their daily commute using alternative ways to travel other than the private car.

The challenge is part of Hampshire County and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils' 'My Journey' campaign and is being organised by Sustrans, a leading national charity which encourages and enables sustainable travel for residents in the UK.

Participants will be encouraged to try cycling, walking, using public transport or car-sharing to get to and from their place of work, in a bid to reduce congestion in Hampshire and encourage a more active lifestyle. Businesses and their employees will be invited to compete in group and personal challenges throughout May.

By recording online how they travelled to work, those who take part in the challenge have the opportunity to win one of a number of weekly awards such as passes for free bus, rail, hover and ferry travel, theatre tickets, and entry to a wide range of Hampshire attractions.

Eligible journeys for the Commuter Challenge start at one mile in length, the equivalent of just 20 minutes walking or 10 minutes by bicycle.

The 'My Journey' campaign has been developed by Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council and is funded by a successful bid to the Department for Transport for Local Sustainable Transport Fund monies. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These objectives will be met at a local level, through 'My Journey' initiatives to encourage less use of the private car and a more active lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport or car sharing to travel around, particularly for local journeys.

• Businesses, groups or individuals can sign up to take part in the Commuter Challenge

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

In the past two months, Havant's community bus service - Call & Go - has attracted 165 new regular passengers but its operators, Community First HEH, say there is still room for more.

Havant Call and Go (formerly Havant Dial a Ride) is a flexible bus service which can pick people up from their home address and take them wherever they need to go within the service area. Operating across the borough of Havant, as well as Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle, the service operates on five days of the week - Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the Call & Go service includes a journey to and from Commercial Road in Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

For many passengers the service is a lifeline to get out and about and is used by them to get to the shops, health centres, to visit friends and relatives or to go to leisure centres. The vehicles used have low-adapted floors so they are ideal for use by passengers who use wheelchairs.

Mrs Sue Tucker is a regular user of the service and like so many other passengers, relies on the Havant Call and Go to get her to the shops and to visit her family. She said: "It's become part of my life." Mrs Yvonne Hogarth, who has been using the service since it began, really values the independence and social aspect that the service offers her, commenting "You meet up with different people and have a chat. It just lifts you mentally. Just to get out, that in itself, means so much". She was also full of praise for the drivers who, she said "are always so helpful".

Passengers do need to register for the service but there is no charge to do so. Fares range from £1.65 to £4.70.Those who have a concessionary fare bus pass are eligible to use the service at half price. For more information about the service and to request an application form to join the scheme, please contact Hampshire County Council on 0845 602 4135.

The service is jointly funded by Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council.

• Call & Go service

Thursday, 04 April 2013

Why not take a tip from the 2013 'Defence of the Realm' pocket guide and visit one of Hampshire's many military heritage sites this year.

Packed with over 80 great events and 30 sites including castles, historic ships, museums, special displays and exhibitions, the pocket guide is available free from Tourist Information Centres, by calling 01271 336136 or ordering on-line from the Defence of the Realm website. It also includes discount vouchers so visitors can make savings of up to 20% on normal admission fees.

Sites included in the guide range from Buckler's Hard in Beaulieu whose updated Maritime Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the Royal Military Police Museum near Fareham, to the Royal Armouries Fort Nelson in Fareham and Basing House Ruins in Basingstoke. The guide also includes a comprehensive list of events for the whole year, including children's activities during school holidays, a Model Warship Weekend at Explosion! in Gosport, and a Fun For All Day at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester.

Tourism contributes almost £3 billion to Hampshire's economy every year and employs more than 60,000 people. Visitors to Hampshire's military heritage sites, more than one million people every year, make a substantial contribution to this total.

• Defence of the Realm

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

More than 150 young people from across Hampshire showcased their achievements in a celebration of young peoples' participation, community provision and volunteering.

The Youth Fair held in the Great Hall, Winchester was hosted by Hampshire County Council to highlight examples of youth participation and adult volunteering and to encourage others to follow suit.

More than 25 groups representing a wide range of activities from Young Firefighters, to the Girl Guides and Hampshire Wildlife Trust promoted their achievements and showed other young people the value of their participation in a huge variety of opportunities in Hampshire.

They also heard an inspiring presentation about reaching potential from British Paralympic Gold Medallist Peter Hull, MBE.

Drummed in by the Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps, the event on 22 March was opened by Councillor Ken Thornber, the Leader of Hampshire County Council. Councillor Thornber, who has introduced an initiative for the Council to employ up to 1,000 young apprenticeship posts over the next five years, described the event as "a real celebration of the fantastic work of both the third sector voluntary groups and young people and the enormous range of positive activities available to them."

"They all make a huge contribution and I hope this event has helped facilitate even closer relationships and collaboration between the voluntary sector, the County Council and the schools and colleges here today for the benefit of Hampshire's young people," he said.

Councillor Thornber also presented National Citizen Service Awards. "I'm really pleased to be making awards to a number of armed forces cadets who have taken part in the National Citizen Service programme, a scheme that allows young people to learn new things, develop their skills, help their community and create and bring to life a project that they really care about. These young people are outstanding ambassadors of youth and they thoroughly deserve this award," he added.

The army cadets who received awards from CouncillorThornber were: Jacob Brown from Portsmouth, Emma Topley from Southampton, Nicki Parker from Southampton, Jack Bowden from Aldershot, Stuart Gainsford from Aldershot, Elsbeth Brand from Cosham, Catherine Lovett from Southampton, Rebecca Williams from Andover, Alexander Brown from Totton, James Herring from Waterlooville.

The voluntary sector plays an important part in delivering both recreational and support services for youth and the County Council is building on this strong partnership to develop new ways of delivering services for young people in tough economic times. Cllr Roy Perry, the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, who closed the event, said: "I'm pleased that through the grants we give, the County Council is maintaining high levels of support to the voluntary sector to help develop what are very good activities for young people. Working in new ways with the voluntary sector, together we can help ensure the provision of responsive, flexible services that are not only good value for money, but tailor made to meet the needs of local communities."

The Youth Fair also saw the presentation of the 'Hampshire Making a Difference Awards'. Presented by the Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Andrew Joy, they reward young people aged between five and 18 from across Hampshire who, by being active, good citizens, have done something exceptional to help others.

The event was organised by Hampshire County Council in partnership with the Hampshire Children's Alliance and with the armed forces cadets associations.

• National Citizen Service