Friday 16 December 2011

PortsmouthLocal’s Twitter feed reaches 1,000 followers


   
What started out as a six week pilot program in November 2009 and almost came to an end in January 2010 has just gained it’s 1,000th follower.

In November 2009 when the team was asked to pilot Twitter for the council we jumped at the chance to get into the social media field hoping to find new and better ways to communicate with the public.  Up until the snow fall of January 2010 the project had experienced limited success and it looked likely to end.

However during the period of bad weather in the city, the numbers of twitter followers doubled over night, and it proved an effective way to release up to date information across the city and wider.

Although Twitter is not the complete answer to our social media needs, or the only way in which we communicate with residents, it has proved to be a valuable platform through which to share information and news. 

We now have an established Twitter feed, Facebook presence and several community blogs for sharing documents, slideshows, video clips, pictures, podcasts and event reports in easily accessible formats. We are also keen to explore new applications and platforms as they develop.

In the future we will be looking at setting up online forum facilities and making it easier for the public to ask questions and locate relevant information more quickly in a way of their choosing.

If you have any suggestions or ideas to help improve our on-line activity, please contact us.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Because Christmas isn’t always a happy time for many young people …..


Off The Record 
Counselling, support and information 
for young people aged 11-25 
Charity No 1064275
Off The Record will be open over the Christmas period for drop-in’s and telephone calls at:

Off The Record 
138 Purbrook Way 
Leigh Park
Client lines:
023 9247 4724
0808 801 0724

Open:
2-4pm  Monday 26th December (boxing day)
2-4pm  Tuesday 27th December
2-4pm  Wednesday 28th December
2-4pm  Thursday 29th December
2-4pm  Friday 30th December

Closed Bank holiday Monday
 
Normal opening times resume at Havant and Fratton from Tues 3rd Jan 2012

Wednesday 7 December 2011

New Year, New You, No Cost



Portsmouth Health Trainers provide free Weight Management Groups to any Portsmouth resident and this year there is an additional Men only Weight Management Group. 

The Weight Management Groups are designed to give you tips that will help you keep the pounds off year after year rather than a quick fix. This will be the second year of the Weight Management Groups. 

Over each week the groups aims to support you by looking at food and drink diaries, healthy eating, physical activity, behaviour change, goal setting/targets and maintaining weight or weight loss. On the third session you will receive a portion size plate. 

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Crime Reports

Another website has been brought to my attention https://www.crimereports.co.uk/
 
“CrimeReports is a brand new UK application for residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is the only place where you can see up to date crime, anti-social behaviour and incident information.

Want to know what's going on in your parents street? Set up an e-mail update to receive regular information on crime, incidents, anti-social behaviour straight to your inbox. We want you know exactly what is happening in your community and we encourage all members of the community to take hold of this chance to make a difference and improve neighbourhoods across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Also, opt-in to receive official alerts from your local agency.

In the near future we will be enabling additional functionality which will allow you to join the online neighbourhood watch, set up your neighbourhood online, use the application to chat with your local police officers and fellow watch members, watch over your neighbourhood and discuss the important things which affect your quality of life.

Using CrimeReports you will be able to see where and when your local beat surgeries are taking place for you to attend and meet with your Safer Neighbourhoods team to discuss your community issues.”

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Talented students set to showcase their creative interpretation of territories at historic fort.

 
As part of the University of Portsmouth’s BA (Hons) Degree in Photography, this group of 10 students, calling themselves “10 Degrees South”, has come together from around Europe to show their wide-ranging interpretations of this exciting concept – from local landscapes to military campaigns, from nature reserves to wine bars to football supporters.
This small group of students, some of whom have already won awards and had work exhibited both in the UK and abroad, will be exhibiting their work at the Round Tower, Old Portsmouth.

Friday 18 November 2011

Donate a Coat Campaign



Some of you may already have seen some of the early advertisements regarding ITV Daybreak's Donate a Coat with the Salvation Army Campaign (21 - 25 November 2011).  

Portsmouth Citadel's Haven Community Centre in Lake Road will taking part in this campaign as a drop of centre for donated coats.  

Additionally the Haven will feature live on ITV's Daybreak on Mon 21 Nov as part of the launch for the campaign. 

Wednesday 16 November 2011

No Cold Calling Zones- Information

A number of neighbourhood forum chairs have asked recently for more information regarding "No Cold Calling Zones" in the City. “Cold calling” or doorstep calling is when someone calls at your home without a prior invitation. It is normally carried out by traders or sales people trying to sell a product or service and is a legal method of doing business. Other organisations which cold call on the doorstep include charities, religious groups and political parties at election time. You can find a toolkit, sample letter and a number of resources to help you set up a zone at the following link: No Cold Calling Zones

Monday 14 November 2011

National Consumer Week 21-25 November 2011

This year the theme for National Consumer Week is: 

“Good sports don’t fake it”. 

Remember Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington's parents? They nearly missed her Beijing Olympic success because they had been misled into purchasing tickets from a fake website - tickets that never arrived. 

Sporting events are heavily profiled at the moment in the media due to the London Olympics and Team GB successes in various disciplines including cricket, badminton, cycling, swimming, triathlon, rowing and sailing. 

Other popular sports, like football and rugby, are also high profile and every area of the country has a sports club or association, race or play off - all vulnerable to fraudulent products and services. 

TSI and trading standards are using this universal interest to raise awareness during National Consumer Week of fakes and scams that include: 
  • Fake branded sports clothes and equipment 
  • Fake ticket websites and tickets 
  • Fake travel/accommodation packages 
There is a strong link between fakes and crime, drugs and benefit fraud in the community – stay away from fakes and help break the chain!

There are some simple checks you can carry out to protect yourself: 
  • Choose your shopping outlets and websites carefully 
  • Help yourself. If the deal is too good to be true it probably is 
  • Ensure you look for authentic branding and holograms 
  • Contact the authorities if you are concerned 
  • Keep a copy of your order and receipts 
Contact Consumer Direct for advice on 084 5404 0506 or www.direct.gov.uk or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

Contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

Other useful websites: 
www.brand-i.org – helping you find the genuine product 
www.imrg.org/isis internet shopping is safe 
www.star.org.uk – secure tickets from authorised retailers 
www.ukeccc.net – UK European Consumer Centre

Friday 11 November 2011

Should someone do something about speeding cars in residential areas?


By giving as little as 3 hours per month, you could be that someone!
Community Speedwatch is looking for local volunteers

How does it work? 
SpeedWatch can only operate on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph and under. The best locations would be 20 mph zones and community and residential areas that have a 30 mph limit. Community volunteers work alongside Hampshire Constabulary officers to identify vehicles which exceed the speed limit. 

Details of the vehicles will be collected at the time of the alleged offence and then entered onto a database. The registered owner of the vehicle will then be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle was seen exceeding the speed limit, how it affects the local community and asking them not to do so in the future. If the same registration number is logged again within 12 months the owner will receive a warning that if the vehicle is seen speeding a third time the details will be passed to an officer who may take further action.

Thursday 10 November 2011

St Mary's Community Health Campus


St Mary's Community Health Campus
See slide 13 for details of FREE open day tours from November 28th to December 2nd

Monday 7 November 2011

Bring on the Big Society

Next Viewpoint:
Bring on the Big Society!
The Community Right to Challenge,Bid, Buy and Build

16th November @ 5pm
View Cafe, Civic Offices

As promised we will be looking in detail at the upcoming changes to the rights of communities to buy, bid and build community assets and services.

Follow this link to register to attend.

 

Friday 4 November 2011

'Say It Once' - Save your time


Forms designed and developed with the help of local people and voluntary organisations are available on the Say It Once website, which aims to encourage local residents to record and keep their own personal information – and share this easily with health, social care and emergency services when needed.

Have a look at the new website at www.sayitonce.info

Thursday 3 November 2011

Have your say on support for the voluntary and community sector in Portsmouth

Community First for Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council are working together to consult with the local voluntary and community sector to find out what support your organisation needs. We are particularly keen to meet with small community based organisations and medium sized voluntary organisations.
Data has already been collected to support Portsmouth’s bid for The Big Lottery Fund Transforming Local infrastructure and we plan to build on this with a programme of face to face events.
We would like to hear from organisations directly about their support needs, what matters to you? How would you like support to be delivered?

The feedback received during this consultation will be used to help design the service for the future in the city. This second phase of the consultation will close on the 18th November and feedback will be provided through mailings and websites from both organisations

So come along and have a chat with us. Dates, times & venues


If you are unable to attend in person please feel free to email your comments to us
at voluntary.sector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Or complete the quick survey here

You can also listen to our podcast:




Tuesday 1 November 2011

Vulnerable Open Spaces in Portsmouth: Have Your Say!


We all enjoy going for a walk in our local park.  But how can you help to show how much you value your parks? How can you highlight what you like and dislike about these places? And how much you would be willing to do to protect these spaces from real risks, such as flooding? Have a look at http://www.openspaces-portsmouth.org.uk and read further!

I am a PhD student from London Metropolitan University, doing a research project about how users value green spaces in Portsmouth.  Using a variety of surveying techniques, I am investigating the best way that people can make their opinions heard on issues that affect them and their favourite parks and open spaces.  Also, the North Solent Shoreline Management Plan highlighted the long-term risk to areas of Portsmouth from flooding.  How much would you be willing to protect your local open spaces from such risks?

Monday 31 October 2011

The Hampshire Health Record

Your information
The Hampshire Health Record is an electronic summary record for people living in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.
The record stores information from GP surgeries, hospitals, social and community care teams in one place so that – with your consent – professionals can view it to deliver better care to you.

Your choice
If you are happy for your information to be stored on the Hampshire Health Record then you do not need to do anything. Please contact us if you would like a free copy of the information held about you on the Hampshire Health Record or prefer your information not to be stored on the Hampshire Health Record.

Further information
Free phone: 0300 123 1519
Email: hantshealthrecord@nhs.uk
Web: www.hantshealthrecord.nhs.uk
Write to: 
Hampshire Health Record
NHS Southampton
Oakley Road
Southampton SO16 4GX

Thursday 20 October 2011

Your Voice in Health and Social Care Survey


This is your opportunity to help influence the work of the LINk in the Portsmouth area as it changes into Local Healthwatch while continuing to help improve local Health and Social Care services.

Please take this very quick survey (approximately 3 minutes long)

Background information

LINks – remit, role, powers & activities
There is a LINk in every local authority area that has social services responsibility and the remit of the LINk covers any health or social care service that is funded by the taxpayer. 

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Portsmouth BookFest 2011

Portsmouth BookFest runs until November 13th

You can meet more than 20 authors

at 17 different Events

held at 10 venues across the city

Go to www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk for more details

Monday 17 October 2011

"Should Prisoners have the right to vote?"- University Public Debate

Last week Portsmouth City Council hosted a debate with the University to explore the rights of prisoners and to address the thorny issue of whether or not they should have the right to vote. An initial vote amongst the assembled audience suggested that people were very much in favour of giving this right. However, by the end of this session- held as part of European Local Democracy Week 2011- the audience view had changed, showing a majority against.

What turned them?

Well some passionate and persuasive arguements from our speakers from the Law School at the University, along with some capable chairing and focused minds. Putting across the case "For", Ursula Ward insisted that "voting is a right and not a privilege", something that helps to promote greater awareness amongst prisoners of politics & democracy, as well as generate victim empathy and promote wider responsibility. "People are sent to prison to loose their liberty and not their identity".

David Carpenter countered this with the argument that voting is "a moral right, not just a legal right" and "an entitlement not a privilege, a duty rather than a right"- "once you are out of the club you can't expect to vote on the management committee!" As the debate continued we were asked to consider that a blanket ban on voting for prisoners shows a lack of understanding of the very purpose of prison and that law makers should not break the law to uphold a principle. The debate was held to explore elements of this year's theme "Human Rights at a Local Level".

Friday 14 October 2011

Boundary Commission public hearing



The Boundary Commission for England has published proposals for new parliamentary constituency boundaries. 

The Boundary Commission is holding five public hearings in the south-east region and one of these hearings will be held in the Guildhall in Portsmouth on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October. 

For further information go to;Boundary Commission consultation or Boundary Commission proposals
 


The proposals relating to the south-east region are available for inspection at: Cosham Library, The Civic Offices and Southsea Library

Find out more about Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s Diabetes services

The Trust’s Diabetes services are nationally recognised as some of the best in the country.

Patients with diabetes are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital. They have a length of stay twice that of non-diabetic patients and higher complications rates.

At the next public constituency meetings for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s Council of Governors, a consultant from the Diabetes department will be giving a presentation on Diabetes and the Trust’s Diabetes services.

Constituency meetings are held twice a year; to give Trust members and members of the public an opportunity to share their opinions of the hospital with Trust Governors and to enjoy an interesting presentation from one of their clinicians. All are welcome.

The dates for the next meetings are:
Gosport1 November 2011 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Music Room, Thorngate Hall, Bury Road,Gosport,PO12 3PX

Portsmouth 2 November 2011 from 7pm to 9pm
Lecture Theatre, Education Centre, Level E,QueenAlexandraHospital, Cosham, PO6 3LY

Havant and South East7 November 2011 from 1pm to 3pm
Leigh Park Community Centre,Dunsbury Way, LeighPark,PO9 5BG

Fareham9 November 2011, 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Octagon Lounge, Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road, Fareham, PO16 7DB


If you would like more information about being a Trust member or the constituency meetings please email member@porthosp.nhs.uk or visit http://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/about-us/Foundation-Trust/Becoming-a-member/becoming-a-member.html 

Thursday 13 October 2011

Opportunities Fair



Opportunities Fair
Sunday 16th October
10am – 3pm
The Guildhall
Portsmouth

This fair is available for all pupils aged between 10 & 13 years old and the invitation is extended to their families.

The fair is an exciting, interactive fun event with hands-on demonstrations from approx. 100 local businesses, training providers and colleges to showcase their work in the city.

The aim is to raise aspirations in Portsmouth and create a positive image to the city and the wide range of employment and careers opportunities it presents.

For further information please contact
Jacquie Jones at jjones@portsmouthebp.co.uk

Wednesday 12 October 2011

One World Week events in and around Portsmouth 2011


www.oneworldweek.org
One World Week (23-30 October)
People working together to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world

One World Week is about getting people together to value and understand the world and those who live in it. The 2011 theme is Living for One World and there's a strong emphasis on climate change and its effects.

See http://www.oneworldweek.org/v2/ for ideas and materials.

Tuesday 11 October 2011

All Fora meeting November 2011

This is a call for agenda items for the next All Fora meeting, to be held on November 14th 2011 from 6pm in conference room A on the 2nd floor of the Civic Offices.  

The meeting is open to all committee members (please liaise with your chairman so we are not inundated, thank you).  

Could you confirm your attendance and/or any items for the agenda to neighbourhood.forums@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by November 4th.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Awards for All Workshop




Awards for All England is a simple small grants scheme making awards of between £300 and £10,000. The Awards for All programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. 

To do this they want to fund projects that meet one or more of the following outcomes:
• People have better chances in life - with better access to training and development to improve their life skills.
• Stronger communities - with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems.
• Improved rural and urban environments - which communities are better able to access and enjoy.
• Healthier and more active people and communities.
The application form is short and simple and you will find out if you are successful within six weeks.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

NHS End of Life Care Consultation


It's not the most cheerful of subjects, thinking about where you want to die, but the Department of Health, and local doctors are asking us all to do just that so they can make sure that the right services are in place for patients when they need them most.

The aim is to make sure that, when the time comes, patients are able to choose where they want to die with the right services and support available to ensure comfort and dignity.

To support that aim, some of the things NHS Portsmouth want to look at as priorities for this year are: 

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Hilsea Lines Conservation Volunteers

Woodland walk at Hilsea Lines
The Hilsea Lines Conservation Volunteers are trying to win a £6,000 grant from the NatWest CommunityForce programme.

The grant scheme runs as a competition with the top three projects in each area winning a grant, so they need your votes.

Voting closes on the 23rd October so please follow the link and help them get the materials to carry on the work at Hilsea.

http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/4007

How to vote:
  • Follow the link above to the web site.
  • You then have to register.
  • They will then send you an e-mail.
  • confirm your registration then vote by putting Hilsea Lines in the project box.
Volunteer at work
The grant will enable them to:-
  • Improve the Biodiversity of the site.
  • Improve access for the public.
They have a specific project in mind, should they get this funding, to open up the canopy and widen the rides which will allow more light to reach the ground flora, whilst at the same time opening up sight lines within the woodland, which will give the site a lighter more welcoming appearance for visitors 

If the bid is successful, then they will be able to maintain the parts of the site that have been restored and improve access further.

The Countryside Service are developing a new blog at http://portsmouthcountryside.blogspot.com please have a look.

Hilsea Lines Conservation Volunteers

Woodland walk at Hilsea Lines
 
The Hilsea Lines Conservation Volunteers are trying to win a £6,000 grant from the NatWest CommunityForce programme.

The grant scheme runs as a competition with the top three projects in each area winning a grant, so they need your votes.

Voting closes on the 23rd October so please follow the link and help them get the materials to carry on the work at Hilsea.

http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/4007