Makaton Workshop

Carnegie Library IT Suite

Wednesday 20^thNovember 2.00pm- 3.30pm

Ticket price £10.00

Available from Carnegie Library
or can be ordered at any

Portsmouth City Library

This is a taster session presented by a licensed Makaton Tutor in an informal and practical style. You will learn approximately 30-50 signs and have an idea of how to use these in everyday settings. Attendees will be provided with a catalogue of Makaton resources, individual handouts and a certificate of attendance.

Community Infrastructure Levy outline presentation

A brief outline of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CiL) in Portsmouth

Further planning information can be found at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/planning.html

South Downs autumn blaze peaks this weekend

The South Downs National Park Authority announces a range of incentives for Portsmouth residents who visit by train and bus, as the area reaches its seasonal climax

The South Downs will reach its autumn best this weekend, says expert ranger

New Portsmouth research shows that many find using trains and buses to explore a relaxing alternative to the car, but don’t know what routes are available

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) today announces a range of discounts at pubs, cafes and attractions for those who leave the car at home, along with new guides to walks that start and finish at a bus stop or train station

Top tips for keeping warm this winter

Visit the city council's web page for useful tips and information about keeping warm and safe this winter.

Details available at 
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/27393.html

Also, for households with children under five years old, people over 60 or physically disabled there is the free Homecheck service that offers advice, home safety and security checks, and small maintenance works to make your home safer to live in, this includes draught-proofing which is one of the most efficient ways to save energy and money.

Details available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/494.html

Starting in November 2013

Create a Work of Art (Painting course) 
Tuesday 5th November (6 weeks 10 – 12) 

Play with Clay (Festive Season) 
Tuesday 5th November (6 weeks 11 – 3) 

Screen Printing for Beginners 
Friday 8th November (6 weeks 10 – 12:30) 

Printmaking for Improvers 
Friday 8th November (6 weeks 1 to 3.30) 

To book a place you can call into: 
Omega Centre, 
Omega Street, 
Southsea 
PO5 4LP 

Phone 023 92 291346 or 
email Portsmouth@wea.org.uk 

Sea Life Activities and Storytime

at

Paulsgrove Library

Thursday 31^st October - 10.30 till 12.00

and 2.00pm - 3.30pm

******************************************

Activities and stories for all ages.

*******************************************

Enquire at Paulsgrove Library or phone

023 9237 7818

Parents/Carers are welcome to stay.

******************************

Children's Submarine Activity

Steampunk Submarine by ~BBreakfast

Provided by HMS Alliance

 Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport

Alderman Lacey Library

Monday 28^th October 11am - 12noon

Carnegie Library

Friday 1^st November 11am - 12noon

Just turn up on the day for a fun filled hour!

Why should anybody bother to vote?

Do you vote at Local elections?
Do you vote at National elections?
Do you vote at European elections?

We want to know

• Why is voting important to you?
• what would make it easier for you to vote?
• If you don't vote, what would make you vote in the future?

You can add your comments, ideas or reasons by clicking on the comments section below or by email to takepart@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

You can also take part in the Local Democracy Week Challenge on Monday 14th October from 2:30-4:30 - details here

Energy Talks for local groups

Neil Richardson works for Southern Electric in a unique role helping local residents with energy 
related issues. He offers impartial energy advice to local residents, including: 
- energy efficiency
- tariff Information
- best ways to pay for your energy
- what energy companies can offer vulnerable customers
- advice on falling behind on payment.

Neil gives energy talks to local groups, runs drop in energy clinic's at local centres, gives home 
visits and offers help over the phone. 

He is not allowed to sell Southern Electric's products; just give advice and help. 

If you would like Neil to talk to your group, or find out, contact him on 07825014164 or email 
neil.richardson@sse.com 

Portsmouth BookFest 2013

Saturday 19th October to Sunday 3rd November

The programme will include a variety of events for adult audiences as well as a programme featuring children’s authors visiting city schools run by Portsmouth School Library Service.

This year there are 24 events featuring 37 authors at 12 different venues across the city.

If you would like to be kept informed about the programme and about other events in the area, please join the mailing list by completing the form at http://www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk/contact-us/.

The Box Office is now open on 023 9268 8037 or buy tickets direct from Central, North End or Southsea Libraries or The Hayling Island Bookshop on 023 9246 6620.

You can view the full Programme here BookFest booklet-web.

The bookfest blog is available with further information and news at http://www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk.

Local Democracy Week

14th - 20th October 2013

“European Local Democracy Week” (ELDW) is an annual European event where local authorities from all the 47 member states of the Council of Europe organise public events to meet and engage with their citizens on issues of current interest. The aim is to promote and foster democratic participation at a local level through public initiatives which involve citizens.

This year's theme is

Active citizenship: voting, sharing, participating

Activities planned in Portsmouth for 2013 so far, include:-

Monday 14th October         Why bother to vote? Challenge 

Tuesday 15th October        Full Council Meeting: Local democracy in action
Wednesday 16th October   Healthwatch Launch event and Patient Engagement Debate

Wednesday 16th October   Portsea Island Discs with Lord Mayor 

Thursday 17th October       Lord Mayor’s Schools Debate 

Thursday 17th October       “How Parliament Works”

Please click on the Local Democracy Week logo to find out more detail and to register for the free events

Portsmouth flood alleviation scheme

Southern Water are investing £20 million to reduce the risk of sewer flooding in parts of Portsmouth and Southsea. 

Portsmouth was one of the first cities in the UK to have a dedicated sewer network. It was built during the Victorian age, when sewers were designed to take both rainwater and wastewater from people’s homes. 

These sewers are known as combined sewers but have the disadvantage that during storms there can be up to 25 times more water in them than there is during dry weather.

See how Southern Water are working to update the sewer system and reduce flooding in the future, at http://www.southernwater.co.uk/at-home/your-area/improvements-in-your-area/hampshire/portsmouth/

Your Votes Wanted

Many of you will have been scribbling away throughout September, composing brilliant limericks about Portsea and Paulsgrove for the libraries limerick competition! 

Well now they need members of the public to come and vote for their favourites! 

From 30th September to 11th October, a selection of the best limericks will be displayed in the two participating libraries and they want YOU to come and vote which you think should win a prize. All you need to do is fill in a voting form and give it in at the desk. 

A prize-giving event will be taking place at 

Portsea Library (Friday 18th October) and 

Paulsgrove Library (Monday 21st October) 

at 6pm. 

Come along and hear the winning limericks and see who won the vote!

Celebrate Older People’s Day with Age UK Portsmouth

1 October 10.00am – 3.00pm 

at the Bradbury Centre

and

Paulsgrove Pop-in Centre

Demonstrations, activities and workshops around ageing 

Try out our new café 

Enter our free national Age UK prize draw to win £1,000 

Free energy saving products – limited stocks, first come, first served 

All are welcome 

The Bradbury Centre, 
16-18 Kingston Road 
Portsmouth 
PO1 5RZ 
023 9286 2121

'Coffee and Cake' event

Has your life been affected by cancer?

Join the Macmillan Library Service Officer 

for 

coffee and cake 

on 

Wednesday 2nd October 

from 

10.30am 

at 

Central Library, third floor, Room D

Get support, share concerns or find information, in an informal and relaxed setting, no need to book, just come along.

Further information on the Portsmouth Macmillan Library Service is available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/learning/24822.html

Celebrate national poetry day at Southsea Library

2pm on 

Thursday 3rd October

Reading from her new book 

'POETRY FIRST AID KIT' 

(Summersdale Publishers Ltd) 

Local Author, Abbie Headon, will be running a workshop celebrating poetry and showing its relevance in modern life. 

Please bring along any poetry you have found to be an inspiration to you 

Coffee Morning

On

Saturday 28th September 

from

10 to 12

at

Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road,

Eastney, Portsmouth 

All funds raised will support work carried out by the  

London Migraine Clinic

(Charity Based Service)

Did you Know

• Migraine affects 1 in 7 people in the UK
• Migraine is rated by the World Health Organisation as amongst the top 20 disabling conditions 
• Migraine affects all age groups
• Migraine costs the UK 2.25 billion pounds a year

Budget Consultation presentation

This PowerPoint is part of the council's budget consultation which closes on October 1st, background information and details of future presentations are available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/30458.html

Budget presentation September 2013

Putting Patients at the Heart of Portsmouth

This event on October 16th is a chance for the voluntary sector and local community to have their say in the way local services treat local people.  

HealthWatch will be holding a radio panel debate between senior managers in the city to see what they are doing to ensure patient focused services are delivered.  You can come along to ask your question.  The panel debate will be aired on Express FM a week later.  

HealthWatch also wants to hear from you about the things that you feel are important for health and social care services to know about and remember when consulting with local people.

All are welcome to attend, just register at 
http://puttingpatientsfirst-eorg.eventbrite.co.uk

If you would like to submit a question for the panel debate please email: info@healthwatchportsmouth.co.uk

There is limited parking on site but parking is available in the city centre a short walk from the venue.  

The main aim of he day is for local people and organisations to influence the way local health and social care services engage with and communicate with patients, especially when services change.  

Have your say before the event at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KXVHDYN 

Is Your Electric Blanket Safe?

If your electric blanket is more than a year old, you should have it inspected to avoid the risk of electrocution. Make an appointment to have it tested for free:

Monday 30 September 9:30am - 3pm
Salvation Army
84 Albert Road, Southsea

Tuesday 1 October 9:30am - 3pm
Cosham Fire Station

Ring 023 9284 1762 to make a booking, or call in at the venue on the day.

Bookings will take priority. 

Limited collection and return service available for housebound residents.

Action News Portsmouth

The latest issue of the newsletter of Community Action Portsmouth is now available on line by clicking here.

It gives information about forthcoming events, consultations, funding and awards, training opportunities, resources, campaigns, advice and volunteering.

Email either Jacky or Hollie at Community Action in Portsmouth to be added to the email distribution list, or with information, comments or suggestions for future editions.

Coming to the Big Screen this September:

Bike Doctor

Thursdays, from 11am – 2pm

Come along to the Guildhall Square for FREE bike check-ups and basic repairs from a team of experienced bike mechanics. They can check everything on your bike from wheels to gears and brakes to lights. Any minor adjustments or basic repairs can be made there and then and if they can't fix it immediately they will let you know exactly what needs fixing.

Bike Doctor is part of My Journey Portsmouth.

Last Night of the Proms at the Big Screen

Saturday 7 September from 7.30pm - 11pm

Join in the finale of the 2013 BBC Proms Season live from the Royal Albert Hall, at Guildhall Square. Bring a flag, a chair or cushion, pack a picnic and wear warm clothes and join in the pomp and ceremony that is the Last Night of the Proms. The event is completely free along with a programme and song sheet which will be available on the night.

Learn more about the finale to the BBC PromsSeason.

Making Waves Film Festival

Sunday 29 September, from 3pm

The Big Screen Portsmouth is delighted to become involved in the upcoming MakingWaves Film Festival at the end of September.

The screening of the box office blockbuster 'Mamma Mia!' will be shown from 3pm.

Join Wave 105FM for an end of festival giant fancy dress party with prizes for the best fancy dress.

This event is being organised by the Making Waves Film Festival in coordination with Portsmouth City Council.

  

Please note that all the above events are weather dependent.

Keep up to date with the Big Screen Portsmouth

• Join on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigscreenportsmouth 
• Follow on Twitter: @BigScreenPorts
• Join the mailing list, send an email to bigscreen@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

"Can community ownership revolutionise your neighbourhood?"

Come to the first in our series of Community Ownership Unit Portsmouth (COUP) networking sessions.

Guest Speaker: Phil Tulba, Social entrepreneur

Phil is currently a Director of Free Stream Ltd, a consultant with Independent Third Sector and Social Enterprise, and a Trustee & Director of Adrenaline Alley- Europe's largest BMX & skate park and award winning social enterprise.

He has previously been a social entrepreneur in residence for an NHS primary care trust (PCT), led regional and national social enterprise programmes and worked in marketing and web design.

The session will take place in the Freda Swain Business Lounge, Portsmouth Guildhall.

You must register to attend this event.

This event is facilitated by Portsmouth City Council and supported by Portsmouth Guildhall Trust.

Shaping the future of council services in Portsmouth

The City Council if facing yet more cuts to it's budget from central government and would like to hear your views on what services you value the most?

The next edition of Flagship will include an eight page supplement explaining where the money comes from, what it is spent on and how local residents can have their say on how savings could be made.

Meetings that you can attend, to find out more, are taking place throughout the city and are detailed in the supplement and online at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/30458.html

A Limerick for the Library

Can you come up with a good limerick?

Portsmouth Library Service is running a competition, seeking the best limerick written about Portsea or Paulsgrove, which must include a reference to either 'Portsea' or 'Paulsgrove' within its five lines! The competition is being run from 2nd to 27th September, after which, a selection of the limericks will be displayed so that members of the public will be able to vote for their favourites.

Entry forms are available at Portsea and Paulsgrove Libraries or you can print one off from the PCC website (www.portsmouth.gov.uk).

Limericks can also be sent by email directly to the libraries at:

johnpounds.library@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

paulsgrove.library@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

If you're not sure how to compose a limerick, here's an example to get you started:

                             In Paulsgrove a timid girl shone

                             In a limerick competition

                             The words that she wrote

                             Really won her the vote

                             And she found that her shyness had gone!

                                                                             (Donna Tebbs)

                                                           

Award events will take place on 18^th and 21st October, at which the best limericks will be read out and winners will receive a prize! So get your thinking caps on and start composing!

Portsmouth Neighbourhood Watch Association newsletter

The latest Neighbourhood Watch newsletter can be read by clicking on this link, it includes:-

USEFUL CRIME INFORMATION on
- ASB
- Drink Drive
- Cycle Thefts
- Good News

TRADING STANDARDS INFORMATION on

- Cold Calling Stickers

THE COMMUNITY WARDEN INFORMATION on

- Family rounder's events

Macmillan Library Service

Every Portsmouth library holds some Macmillan information, with the widest range of resources held at Portsmouth Central Library.

Library staff can help you find information and leaflets to take away or read in the library.

Macmillan resources can be borrowed using a library card and can be reserved free of charge if they are already on loan to another borrower.

There is also free internet access and library staff can help you to use the computer.

Information is available in books, leaflets and CDs, including resources in large print and other languages.

There is also information to help children affected by cancer.

The Macmillan Library Service Newsletter is available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/media/Macmillian_Newsletter_2013.pdf

More details about the Macmillan Library Service can be found at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/learning/24822.html

Social Value Act - What is it and why is it important?

Thursday, 19 September 10am – 12pm (arrivals for 9.45am)

Oasis: the venue, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1NP

This event will bring together voluntary and community sector and statutory colleagues to explore how the Social Value Act could and should be applied.

The Social Value Act, which came into force in January 2013, calls for all public service commissioning to factor in social value. For the first time, all public bodies in England and Wales will be required to consider how the services they commission and procure might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.

John Tizard, a trustee of NAVCA and an independent strategic advisor and commentator on public policy and public services will provide a keynote speech explaining;

“Public bodies can and should use the power of their procurement spend to drive public policy objectives to secure social, economic and environmental well-being. To this end the Social Value Act offers enormous potential to the public sector, the voluntary and community sector, other providers and communities. But this potential will only be realised if leaders use the Act to shift mindsets not to introduce another boring exercise in technocratic 'compliance'”

This event will enable voluntary and community organisations to:

• understand the aims of the Act and how you can use it to strengthen your proposals
• have a clearer idea of commissioners expectations
• develop a shared understanding of the Act alongside Commissioners
• find out how it is being used elsewhere with good effect

To book your place on this event please visit the eventbrite page: https://socialvalueactportsmouth.eventbrite.com

This is a joint Portsmouth City Council and Community Action in Portsmouth event, being held as part of the joint action plan produced following last November’s Voluntary Sector Summit.

Consultation on Southern Water Business Plan

Consultation on Southern Water's Draft Business Plan is open until 22 September 2013.

The plan sets out how Southern Water will meet customers’ expectations and deliver the improvements they want to see in the years ahead.

Proposals for future services, which would cost in the region of £3 billion to deliver, have been developed through a 16 month long research programme involving detailed discussions with thousands of customers and community representatives to identify their priorities.

The  consultation will include further detailed research to gather customers’ views, as well as a region-wide engagement programme to raise awareness and encourage people to provide their feedback.

You can book a place at a stakeholder workshop in early September, as detailed below, by contacting haveyoursay@southernwater.co.ukor by calling 01732 375409:

Sussex:                        9.30am – 3.30pm

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, Arundel

Hampshire:                  9.30am – 3.30pm

Thursday 5 September 2013

Hilton Southampton Hotel, Chilworth

Isle of Wight:                9.30am – 3.30pm

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Priory Bay Hotel, Seaview

The Business Plan consultation document is available via  www.southernwater.co.uk/haveyoursay. 

InTend Training Sessions

FREE: InTend Training Sessions for voluntary and community organisations – The gateway to doing business with Portsmouth City Council 

Like many local authorities Portsmouth City Council uses an on-line tendering system InTend to advertise and manage its competitive tenders. Many voluntary and community organisations will be familiar with the system but for those who want to learn more and start using it the City Council have organised two training sessions: 

Thursday, 26th September 2pm to 5pm or 
Friday, 27th September 9am to 12pm 

Both sessions will be held at the Civic Offices. 

To book a place, please email: voluntary.sector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by 30th August

Or telephone: 023 9268 8938.

60+ festival 2013

The popular 60+ festival has been organised for Portsmouth's older residents and is a great opportunity to try something different. This free festival runs in the first two weeks of October, and is full of enjoyable events and activities that will help residents stay fit and active.

Activities range from fitness classes to free courses and arts and crafts sessions. There are yoga, pilates and aqua fit classes, still life and silk painting sessions, and drama classes. There are also stitching and sowing sessions, computer and laptop workshops, and talks on money, scams and understanding legal essentials. You could even go for lunch, or enjoy a cookery or bread making session.

To get involved take a look at the 60+ festival brochure by clicking here, call the events team on 023 9283 4698, or pop into your local library or community centre for a hardcopy.

Please note that due to a printing error in the brochure, you DO need to book your place for tours of the International Ferry Port on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 October. Please call 023 92 83 4698 if you would like to book.

Book your tickets by calling the events team on the number above - please remember you can only book three activities per person.

Heritage Open Days

12-15 September 2013 will see thousands of volunteers invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture, as part of this year's Heritage Open Days.

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. 

Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors. 

It is a once-a-year chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.

To find events near you, use the search form or click on the map at: 

http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory

Concerned about your NHS?

If you or your family members need to use an NHS dentist, doctor, care home, physiotherapist, mental health service, hospital or other health/care service in Portsmouth, you will undoubtedly be expecting the best care possible. 

The great news is you can help make that happen! Join up here and you'll be part of a network which is working with providers of care to influence provision to be the best it can be:

http://www.healthwatchportsmouth.co.uk/have-your-say 

If you’ve had a great service, or not such a great service from a Portsmouth health or care provider, tell us about here: 

http://www.healthwatchportsmouth.co.uk/speak-up 

Healthwatch is an independent service operating in every local authority area in England and if you want to know more about it, watch the short video on this site:

http://www.healthwatch.co.uk/ 

Find Healthwatch Portsmouth on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/HealthWatchPortsmouth 

and Twitter 

@HealthwatchPO

Action News Portsmouth

The latest issue of the newsletter of Community Action Portsmouth is now available on line by clicking here.

It gives information about forthcoming events, consultations, funding and awards, training opportunities, resources, campaigns, advice and volunteering.

Email either Jacky or Hollie at Community Action in Portsmouth to be added to the email distribution list, or with information, comments or suggestions for future editions.