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.

Start-up Loans for Young Entrepreneurs

Aged between 18-30?

Looking to start a new business?

Live in Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight or Surrey?

Want to borrow between £500 – £5000 with low re-payments?

Want to receive business support & mentoring?

If you can answer YES to these questions, why not take the next step and apply for a Start-Up Loan today?

(Click this flyer for more details or to register)

The Start Up Loans scheme is a government funded initiative, designed to provide financial and expert support to young entrepreneurs in the UK. Dragon's Den star James Caan is Chairman of the Start Up Loans Company, established to administer the scheme.

WSX Enterprise Ltd working in partnership with Parity Trust and are the delivery partners for the Start Up Loans Company Ltd, providing mentoring and access to loans.

Community toilets scheme

Details of the council's community toilet scheme are now available online at
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/30351.html

The scheme is still in the development stage but some local business are already expressing an interest in the scheme.

As the details are agreed with each business (type of provision available, opening times, etc.) they will be added to the council's community toilet scheme webpage and a large version of one of the stickers below will appear in their window to let the public know that the business is a member of the scheme.

Active weekend

There are numerous events and activities taking place this weekend including

• Portsmouth History Fair
• Southsea Food Festival
• Hotwalls ARTches project consultation
• Opera in the Park
• Race for Life

and many more please see the Visit Portsmouth website for others

But please remember to be safe in the sun and the heat - advice available here

The ARTches - Hotwalls consultation

The ARTches project aims to sympathetically convert the currently vacant arches into artist studio spaces, so as to breathe new life into these historic structures. The project would create new jobs and opportunities to visually enhance the area, as well as supporting emerging creative industries. Artists who take up one of the new studios will enjoy a unique opportunity to show-case their work to the public and will also benefit from the potential for exhibitions in the recently refurbished Round Tower.

If you would like to find out more about the proposals, the council are holding various events for residents, businesses and visitors to attend.

• Saturday 20th July 2pm - 6pm. A drop in session at the Hotwalls with council officers and the architects.
• Thursday 25th July 10am - 2pm. A drop in session at the Square Tower with council officers.
• Monday 29th July 4pm - 8pm. A drop in with a question and answer session from 6:30pm at Becket Hall, Cathedral House with council officers and the architects.

The full plans the architects have drawn up are available here and will be available throughout the consultation period at:

• the Hotwalls
• in the Central and Southsea libraries
• the ground floor reception of the Civic Offices in Guildhall Square

If you have any questions about the consultation, please call 023 9268 8633.

Further details are available at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/30339.html

Heatwave Plan for England 2013

The latest Met Office data is available here- as of the 18th July there is now a 90% probability of heatwave conditions

Please read the following advice

Protecting health and reducing harm from severe heat and heatwaves

Key Public Health Messages

Stay out of the heat

• Keep out of the sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm
• If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf
• Avoid extreme physical exertion
• Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes

Cool yourself down

• Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
• Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content
• Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
• Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck

Keep your environment cool:

• Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or who can’t look after themselves
• Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature
• Close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun. However, care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat – consider replacing or putting reflective material in-between them and the window space
• Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat
• Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps cool the air
• If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping
• Electric fans may provide some relief, if temperatures are below 35°C *

Longer Term

• Consider putting up external shading outside windows
• Use pale, reflective external paints
• Have your loft and cavity walls insulated – this keeps the heat in when it is cold and out when it is hot
• Grow trees and leafy plants near windows to act as natural air-conditioners (see " Making the Case ")

Look Out for Others

• Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool
• Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars
• Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave
• Be alert and call a doctor or seek medical attention if someone is unwell or further help is needed

If you have a health problem

• Keep medicines below 25 °C or in the refrigerator (read the storage instructions on the packaging)
• Seek medical advice if you are suffering from a chronic medical condition or taking multiple medications

If you or others feel unwell

• Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache; move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature
• Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate
• Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes
• Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour
• Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist

Adapted from: WHO Europe public health advice on preventing health effects of heat

* Use of Fans: At temperatures above 35C fans may not prevent heat related illness. Additionally fans can cause excess dehydration (Cochrane Review). The advice is to place the fan at a certain distance from people, not aiming it directly on the body and to have regular drinks. This is especially important in the case of sick people confined to bed.

***THE NEWS CASH FOR COMMUNITIES***

What could your community group do with £10k - £30k? 

What difference will it make to you and your group? 

Well don’t just think about, now is the time to take action! 

The News Portsmouth has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund through The Local Paper Initiative to give away grants totalling £250,000. On Wednesday, 17 July, Community Action in Portsmouth’s Funding Factory will be hosting two sessions to ensure that Portsmouth groups are aware of the funding available and will be on hand to offer support with applications.

When: Wednesday, 17 July 

Where: Oasis: The Venue, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1NP 

Time: 1pm – 3pm & 6.30pm – 8.30pm  (Bring a sandwich to keep you going) 

THIS IS A FREE EVENT 

There is a very short turn around, so you will have to act fast. All applications must be submitted by 5pm on Sunday, 4 August. 

What you need to do next: 

Bite Back Against Loan Sharks Week

Portsmouth 8th - 14th July 2013

Please don’t be tempted to use a loan shark! 

• They might pretend to be your friend at first, but can be expensive and dangerous; 
• You could pay them back for years, with no dent in the original loan; 
• They won’t just harass you, they’ll target your family and friends too 
Loan sharks may be operating in your area – illegal money lenders who don’t have a Consumer Credit Licence.

For confidential help and advice call: 0300 555 2222 
Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk  
Text: “loan shark” and your message to 60003 

We can provide support and advice as soon as you contact us and remember that you will not get into trouble with the authorities – it is the loan shark that is breaking the law!

Action News

July's 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.

Heatwave Plan for England 2013

Protecting health and reducing harm from severe heat and heatwaves

Key Public Health Messages

Stay out of the heat

•      Keep out of the sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm

•      If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf

•      Avoid extreme physical exertion

•      Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes

Cool yourself down

•      Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks

•      Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content

•      Take a cool shower, bath or body wash

•      Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck

Keep your environment cool:

1 Million Dangerous Recalled Household Appliances Still in UK Homes.

Did you know that since January 2011 there have been 49 safety recalls of household appliances?

These products were all recalled for the following safety reasons:-

■ 55% risk of fire

■ 14% risk of electrocution

■ 12% risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

■ 19% other

It is estimated that more than 1 million of these products have never been found and may still remain in people's homes. This means that 1 in 26 homes may still be at risk from one of these recalled products.

Is your home one of the 26?

To make sure none of the missing recalled products is in your home go to the product recall page and compare your household appliances to the recalls listed here: http://www.recalluk.com/latest/product-recall.aspx

Included in this list are 23 BEKO gas cooker models. Please see the links below for more information.

http://www.recalluk.com/news/beko-lpg-gas-cooker-recall.aspx

http://www.recalluk.com/news/1-million-dangerous-recalled-household-appliances-still-in-uk-homes.aspx

Open Air Opera

Over the coming weeks there will be opportunities for you to experience opera in the open air:-

There will be two free performances on  the Big Screen in Guildhall Square from 7:30pm
On Thursday July 11th  it will be Puccini's romantic tale, La Rondine and the following week on Thursday July 18th a story of passion and revenge with Tosca.

On Saturday July 20th from 7pm, in Victoria Park (doors open from 6pm), there will be a highlight performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute performed in costume, followed by a programme of popular encores including the great works of Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach and Gilbert and Sullivan from the London Festival Opera and Opera Interludes, this event is ticket only.

For tickets please call 023 9282 6722 or drop into the Visitor Information Centre at the D-Day Museum. 

Tickets booked in advance cost £12 per adult (£15 on the door) £8 for concessions (£10 on the door) and £6 for children aged 5-15 years.
More details are available by clicking on Opera in the Park

The News 'Cash for Communities' Fund

The News Portsmouth has joined forces with Big Lottery Fund and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation to award a huge £250,000 of Lottery good-cause cash to community projects. The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. 

If your community has a great idea for how to spend a Lottery grant of between £10,000 and £30,000 The News Cash for Communities Fund could be for you. Details can be found via The News Portsmouth and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation website www.hantscf.org.uk 

The News Portsmouth readers will vote to help decide which projects will get the cash.

Portsmouth History Fair - July 20th

Who or what will you discover?

Portsmouth History Centre's first ever fair offers people the chance to discover local history and find out more about tracing their family roots.
Organised by Portsmouth City Council and Staunton Park Genealogy Centre, the fair will be held at:-

Portsmouth Central Library

on

Saturday 20 July,

10am - 3pm.

Come along to the Portsmouth History Centre on the second floor of the library and take some time to browse stands from :-

• Hampshire Genealogical Society,
• Hampshire Libraries,
• Portsmouth Society,
• Staunton Park Genealogy Centre
• and many more.

Staff will be on hand to give you helpful advice on how to start your own research.

For a closer look at the past, head to the first floor of the library and explore two engaging displays, 'First World War' & 'Secret Lives: Opening up Hampshire Diaries', supplied by Hampshire Records Office.

The library will also be holding a one-off book sale on the ground floor, selling local history books from Portsmouth museums and libraries

The fair will be jam packed with displays, talks and fun children's activities, more details are available by clicking here

For more information call the Portsmouth History Centre on 023 9268 8046.