We also have information on initiatives such as the Harborough Woodland Community project and the Walk and Talk project, which provides Mental Health support in your local area.   

There is some exciting news for Carers aged 18+. They can now sign up to a free carer’s passport to get all the support they need. Read the full article below to find out more.

On top of all that, we are offering residents the opportunity to join a free information session on reaching our target of planting 700,000 trees. This session will be delivered in partnership with Midlands Forest Network and will take place online on 12 September from 1-2:30pm. 

Finally, we would love to share your stories in this newsletter and are always looking for contributions from you, our Network Members. If you have something that you would like to see or share in our winter edition (deadline 1 November), please get in touch by emailing us at LeicestershireCommunities@leics.gov.uk with any ideas for our next or future editions.  

If you have been forwarded this newsletter or are not currently a Communities Network Member, please do sign up and you will receive future newsletters, information and details of events directly into your inbox.  

Warm Wishes, 

Pam Posnett

 Communities Network

The Communities Network is a platform for Leicestershire communities to connect with each other about initiatives, projects, and activities which demonstrate local positive community action. Leicestershire communities are varied, with unique local assets and a wealth of skills and experience to share. This newsletter and our dedicated website which features local events and initiatives is designed to support this.   

Our Communities Network offer currently includes Community Roadshows, Community Conversations and online Zoom sessions.  

Community Roadshows are an opportunity for local businesses, charities, and groups to come together in person and find out more about what groups and activities are available locally. The roadshows are a platform for sharing and utilising skills, knowledge, expertise and assets amongst existing groups and the community.  

Community Conversations are a tool to help inspire and support communities. They are short, interview style conversations relating to discussions with the community about a particular topic that they are passionate about.  

Communities Network sessions are short online sessions aimed at providing information, support and advice to communities across Leicestershire on relevant themes and topics.

Sign up and join us for our next Communities Network session on 12 September 1-2.30pm, focused on our Midlands Forest Network project aimed at planting 700,000 trees in the county.

 Forever Savvy

Forever Savvy offers vocational training and support for adults with learning disabilities. Their aim is to make life more meaningful for people with a learning disability. Forever Savvy is actively engaged in the Multiply project, which is helping to improve adult numeracy skills, with a special focus on supporting individuals with learning difficulties. Forever Savvy have an initiative to expand their training program to collaborate with other organizations, offering complimentary maths assistance tailored to their clients' needs. This comprehensive support covers a range of skills including time telling, basic arithmetic and practical measurements for cooking, all personalised to meet individual requirements.  

If you believe that your clients could benefit from this program, please don't hesitate to contact Forever Savvy. They can coordinate sessions starting from February, dedicated to accommodating your schedule by conducting sessions at a location of your choice to minimise disruption. 

Please note that participants should not have a proficiency in level 2 maths and should be over 19 years old, residing outside of the city.  

If your organisation would be interested then please contact Angie Stokes at angiestokes@foreversavvy.co.uk 

 People Zones 

People Zones are designed to create safer communities by building on their strengths, creating connections, and empowering everyone to play a role. By using Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), we focus on what’s strong with an area, not what’s wrong! 

In 2022 we conducted research across our 3 People Zones: 

• New Parks, City 

• Bell Foundry, Loughborough 

• Thringstone & Whitwick 

Since then, our Grant Funding rounds, where organisations can apply for up to £10k, have focused on the key themes highlighted within that research, and we’ve started to see some great outcomes. Rounds 2 and 3 for 2024/25 are open for 4 weeks at a time from Monday 30 September and Monday 6 January 

Everyone can be involved in People Zones! To stay up to date, access a project, or get involved, you can: 

Email: People.Zones@leics.police.uk, 

Follow on social media: @LeicPeopleZones 

Or click the button below

 Harborough Woodland - Community Magic

We're convinced that innovation comes from communities and business because we own the risk. 

We are now helping 30 schools, have instigated 15 large area natural flood management schemes, have planted over 41,000 free trees as hedges and woods in 4 Counties, and delivered 25 community presentations. We helped set up Harborough Town Hub CIC and its 4 Statutory Neighbourhood Forums to help our 26,000 residents unrepresented by a town council for over 40 years.

We are now working on bigger regional Lottery Funded community innovations to achieve measurable outcomes for our children's future, including the restoration of our neglected river catchment. We're all volunteers and have almost no income.

To find out more, including about volunteering opportunities, follow the link below.

 The Walk and Talk Project, Charnwood 

The Walk and Talk Project was set up in November 2022 by Mike Dickinson, who has experienced mental health challenges since his teens. Following a mental health episode in 2022, Mike’s wife suggested that he might benefit from meeting with other people outdoors and talking about mental health and wellbeing, as a coping strategy. This idea proved to be the beginning of the Walk and Talk Project. 

Mike launched the first Walk and Talk after posting on Spotted in Loughborough and initially meeting with a small group of people for a walk. The walk had a significant impact on Mike and he felt that he could help more people with this simple activity. Knowing that most mental health support is available in the daytime, Mike organised the first Men’s Walk and Talk activity for the evening, when people would be more likely to be able to attend after work. 

Nearly two years on, The Walk And Talk Project is supported by the leadership of a committee of 7 people, all of whom are involved in organising and leading four weekly walks, based in and around Loughborough and Shepshed.

 LLR NHS Talking Therapies

Worried about your mental wellbeing? 

LLR NHS Talking Therapies service provides mental health support to adults 16-years and over, who live and are registered with a GP in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. 

We all experience times when we feel like we cannot cope, sometimes this can start to affect our everyday lives and prevent us from doing the things we normally do. If you are experiencing excessive worry, low mood, depression, anxiety or a lack of motivation then we can help. 

We have some fantastic new initiatives within the service including our psychoeducational courses such as Living Well with Breathlessness, Living Well with Diabetes and Embrace your Menopause.  

Getting support is easy - simply, self-refer. NHS Talking Therapies is a FREE and confidential service and you do not need to visit a GP to get started. 

After we receive your referral, we will arrange assessment with one of our trained practitioners to discuss the difficulties you are facing. From this, we will agree an appropriate treatment plan. This may be face to face, online or in a group. You will be supported throughout the process by our practitioners. 

We are here to help you today and get started.

 Enrych

Enrych is a mental health and disability charity promoting living with purpose, based in Leicestershire: "We believe in the power of compassion and inclusion. Our mission is to provide services that empower people to overcome obstacles and embrace their aspirations. We know that everyone’s needs are different, which is why we offer a range of services, from one-to-one support and employability programs to wellbeing activities in the community."

"Enrych have been supporting my son for the last 8 months and in that short amount of time his confidence has grown, he has made friends and enjoyed lots of new experiences. His Support Workers have helped to improve his independence skills and encouraged him to recognise his strengths. He looks forward to every session and we are very grateful for their support." 

 Carers Passport

Are you a carer who is providing unpaid support to your family or friends? Did you know that carers aged (18+) can sign up to a free carer’s passport at VASL: Support for Carers?  

A carers passport is an ID card for carers, who support and care for loved ones aged 18+. VASL: Support for Carers passport is recognised across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The carers passport identifies your caring responsibilities to ensure you can access the right service and support you need at the right time.  

There are many benefits to a carers passport. VASL: Support for Carers have worked closely with local cafes and leisure centres to value and recognise carers. By showing your carers passport, you can get a free hot drink or discount on food. 

Here is what carers have said:  

I find being a carer an uphill battle in many areas, but once I pop the carers passport lanyard around my neck, I feel recognised and respected. 

My carers passport has great value. I recently went with my wife to Germany. Showing them my carers passport got me free admissions, free chocolate and reduced prices! 

To register as a carer and for a carers passport or to find out more, please contact 01858 468543 or email maureen@supportforcarers.org. 

Leicestershire County Council fund the carers support service. 

 Local Transport Plan 4

The Council’s current Local Transport Plan, LTP3, is coming to an end in 2026, and no longer accords with national planning, transport, and environmental policies. It also has a limited focus on health and well-being and the potential benefits that active travel provides Leicestershire for local communities.  We have taken the decision to update it with a new Local Transport Plan, which will know as LTP4.  

LTP4 will enable the Council to deliver transport solutions to benefit local communities, visitors, and users throughout the County. These will aim to: 

• Meet the current and future needs of all users in a coordinated manner and enable travel choices 

• Benefit all transport users including car drivers, freight, public transport, walking, wheeling, and cycling 

• Provide wider public health, economic, and environmental benefits for local communities 

• Provide the best value for money to taxpayers  

Our Vision - Delivering a safe and connected transport network which is resilient and well-managed to support the ambitions and health of our communities, deliver economic prosperity whilst safeguarding our environment 

As part of the LTP4 implementation work that is being conducted, we want to work with our communities to:  

• improve connectivity between rural and urban areas. With the aim to provide safe options for users to move around our neighbourhoods and encourage different modes of travel 

• enable travel choice for all communities, which we hope will encourage you to travel in a way which promotes your health and wellbeing but also protects the environment and ensures your safety 

• improve travel and journey times by using new technology to make travelling more sustainable and accessible to our communities. 

• ensure our transport network is well maintained to enable young people and families to access jobs, education, and services

The LTP will be developed in three phases and will cover the period between 2025 and 2040. 

The Environment and Transport Department is also working to develop supporting strategies, including Leicestershire Highway Design Guide, Electric Vehicle Strategy and Cycling and Walking Strategy which allow more opportunities for you to feed in your thoughts and views.  

CONSULTATION  

A public consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan 4 is due to start on 12 August and close on Monday 23 September. You can feed in your thoughts by completing a survey questionnaire which will be on our have your say pages.

To request a hard copy of this survey or for more information please direct your messages to: LeicestershireLocalTransportPlan@leics.gov.uk    

We look forward to hearing from you as we work together to enhance our local transport plan. 

 Get involved and help shape future newsletters 

We would really like to hear from you and want to use this newsletter to showcase your good news stories and other local news. If you would like to share events information, success stories, information about your organisation or other content, please get in touch with us by emailing us at LeicestersireCommunities@leics.gov.uk

Newsletter deadlines for providing content are as follows:  

• Winter - 1 November 2024

  Become a Network Member 

Would you like to connect with like-minded people? If so, why not join the Communities Network by filling in a short Communities Network Sign up form.

By becoming a Communities Network member, you will receive up to date information, news and details of local events. Networking can encourage connections with other individuals or groups facing similar problems and issues and can help us work together towards community solutions and to continue to Build Great Communities in Leicestershire. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Communities Team 

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