Cost of Living Information – Survey, Leaflet, Webpages & Household Support Fund….

A quick reminder in case you have missed the latest cost of living bulletin….

Cost of Living Survey – Please help promote as we want to here from our local residents

Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils and other local partners would like to gather the views of the local community and better understand their experience of the cost of living crisis, how it is affecting them and look at how to improve the help, advice and support available. Please help promote by displaying the attached posters – one for Bromsgrove and one for Redditch.  The link to the Redditch survey can be found here and the Bromsgrove survey here. A printable version is also attached or copies can be collected from Customer Services at both Redditch Town Hall or Parkside in Bromsgrove.  The closing date is 5pm Friday 10 March.   

*New version* of Cost of Living Leaflet for Bromsgrove and Redditch  

The new version cost of living leaflet is attached and will go out to all Bromsgrove and Redditch residents with the 2023/24 Council Tax bills in March, but in the meantime, please help promote – both a printable and a website version of the leaflet are attached.  There are also supplies of printed copies available at Customer Services at both Redditch Town Hall and Parkside in Bromsgrove which you can collect and distribute to your service users to help spread the word.  We are particularly keen to reach those who may be digitally excluded. (Note: If you have any copies of the original leaflet, don’t worry, all information is still correct).

Cost of living webpages – so our residents know where to turn for support

Not everything can fit on a leaflet but there are cost of living webpages on both Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils’ websites too at: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/costofliving and www.redditchbc.gov.uk/costofliving.  See something missing on the webpages?  Let us know as they can be updated anytime.

Household Support Fund (HSF) Phase 3 (ends on 31/3/23) – latest information on local support available

Redditch and Bromsgrove residents who are struggling with the cost of household essentials can get help through the household support fund and there are 2 ways they can apply:

·     Act on Energy – help with energy costs, energy debt, broken heating systems etc

This scheme offers qualifying residents across Worcestershire support with their energy costs, fuel debt and where required, assistance to replace broken boilers and heating systems, subject to funding.  Eligibility criteria for support is not restricted to solely vulnerable households in receipt of benefits, but criteria will be applied for the different elements of support on offer.  Further information can be found online at:  WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND (actonenergy.org.uk). Residents can apply online or by calling 0800 988 2881.

·     Citizens Advice Bromsgrove and Redditch – help with food and other essentials ***Temporary Pause on Requests for the Household Support Fund Phase 3***

Due to the demand for the household support fund phase 3, CABR have temporarily stopped taking further requests for both Bromsgrove & Redditch residents. Please visit the CABR website regularly for updates on available funds.  However, even though HSF3 is temporarily paused, that doesn’t mean residents cannot seek help and contact CABR.  If any partner agency is aware of a service user / resident that needs support from CABR, please do continue to refer them as there may be other ways CABR, working with the Councils’ Financial Inclusion Team, can help.

Services / Support – Information Updates

*REMINDER* Mental health and Wellbeing – Now We’re Talking

·     New *Professional Portal* launched

A reminder that the Now We’re Talking Partnership, led by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust alongside other local organisations, has launched a ‘Professionals Portal‘ which hosts resources to help people who may come into contact with staff or clients struggling with mental health or suicide.  It includes free training resources and tips and tools to help start a conversation.  Here is a link to a recent press release.

It also includes advice and signposting to more practical support with concerns such as the cost of living crisis, domestic abuse, housing issues and relationships.  Is your service included? This is a great resource and is still being developed so we need your help to ensure that services in Bromsgrove and Redditch are listed and the information is correct.  Let us know if any changes or additions are needed and we will pass that on.

Anyone needing urgent support, for example if they have an urgent concern about their mental health or that of a loved one, can contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24/7 urgent mental health helpline on 0808 196 9127. The service is open to residents of all ages, across both counties. Alternatively, you can visit the Urgent Help webpage for further information and support.

·     Improving Signposting to Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

As part of the ‘Now We’re Talking‘ campaign, local health and care organisations are working together to help people navigate to the right mental health and wellbeing support more quickly and easily.  Further information is attached on this but essentially:

For adults – a recently developed website – www.nowweretalking.nhs.uk which provides links to lots of local services and resources for adults including community support, online programmes, Healthy Minds, and help for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

For children and young people – A recently launched children’s mental health website – www.camhs.hacw.nhs.uk – which also includes lots of resources to support children or young people who are experiencing mental health or wellbeing challenges.

There are also ‘mental health map on a page’ which aims to highlight the range of things people can access themselves, from advice to maintain positive wellbeing, help if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and contact details for urgent and emergency services.  There are three versions, one for children and families; one for young people; and one for adults and these can be found here: Downloadable resources healthy minds Now We’re Talking | Healthy Minds (whct.nhs.uk)

Bereaved By Suicide

Bereaved by Suicide is a free and confidential service, offering children and adults, living in Worcestershire, non-judgmental and client led support, who are bereaved, or affected, by the suspected suicide or suicide of someone they know or have been a witness to. The service can also work with staff in schools, students in a group or individually, supporting them after a loss of a friend in school, or a loved one outside of school, working alongside the mental health/pastoral support already in schools to offer additional suicide specific bereavement support. The service offers emotional and practical support, along with any signposting to other specialist services to anyone who needs their services. They can work with clients, regardless of the time since the bereavement tool place and for as long as the client needs.  If any partner agency, including schools, needs further information or would like an informal chat, please contact Gill Stanton at   or call her on 01905 947933.  Further details can be found in the attached which also includes a flyer.

Bleed Kits in Redditch Areas

Pete Martin, Anti Knife Crime Activist, and member of the Redditch Youth Providers Forum has pledged to provide every area of Redditch with a potentially lifesaving bleed kit. Pete is reaching out to the community to assist with this initiative. Further information and prices can be found here: https://redditchselfdefence.co.uk/bleed-kit-campaign/ and if this is something you think you’d like to be involved with, please contact Pete directly: 

Dads Group – *New*

This new group offers any new Dads who have struggled with the transition to parenthood.  Located at The Old Needleworks, Britten Street, Redditch, B97 6HD, the group starts on March 14, and every fortnight thereafter with 8 sessions in total.  Please help promote to any new dads who have had a child in the last 3 years who might find this helpful.   Flyer attached with further details.

Repair Cafe Redditch – New Venue!

Starting Saturday 28th April, 10am – 2pm and every last Saturday in the month the repair café Redditch will be located at Community House, 103 Easemore Rd, Redditch, B98 8EY and will be hand to offer help and advice if you have something that needs fixing! This community project to aims to inspire, repair and re-use furniture, woodwork, tools, bicycle, electricals, and computers. Please help promote using the flyer attached which provides further details.

Redditch United Football Club – Girls only Skills Centre (Plus free online training for volunteers available)

This new initiative is for girls aged 5-12 years and offers free sessions for participants via the skills centre with holiday courses subsidised through the fund too. Details of this initiative can be found via this link: FREE GIRLS SESSIONS | Girls Skills Centre (rufcofficial.co.uk).  Another key objective of the project is to upskill volunteers so they can play a major role in continuing to foster opportunities within their communities.  The partnership with Sported allows free online diversity and inclusion courses delivered by an e-coach. To find out more email:  

Fully Funded Residential

Inspiring Learning are offering fully funded 5-day 4 night residential (or 2 weekends) for 16- to 17-year-olds. Everything is included even transport to and from the centre with the closest to Worcestershire being the Kingswood site in Staffordshire. The only thing the groups will need to bring is pastoral care to look after the young person. The residential must take place before the 31st of March. For further details, please email  or 

Redditch Town Centre Proposals

In case you missed it, proposals for a new town centre plaza and community hub as part of plans to improve Redditch town centre are under consideration. Find out all the details here Redditch town centre proposals – redditchbc.gov.uk

Volunteers for Re-Engage Charity Redditch and Bromsgrove

The Redditch and Bromsgrove charity Re-Engage are urgently seeking Volunteers, Volunteer Hosts and Volunteer drivers for their once a month Hosted Tea Parties for Elderly community members in Redditch and Bromsgrove.  Currently, the shortage of volunteers is limiting what they can offer, and unfortunately at a time when so many elderly people are already isolated and lonely after the restrictive pandemic period.  Full details on where to find out more and apply can be found on the attached flyer.

Trustee Opportunities – Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest is recruiting Volunteer Trustees to join its Board of Trustees. For more information and details on how to apply, please access this link http://bit.ly/3kwmzPF, for a copy of the Trustee Recruitment Pack call the office on 01527 570490. Closing date for applications is 19th March 2023.

Seetec Plus – Cost of Living Support Links for Worcestershire- February 2023

Please find attached a Worcestershire wide cost of living that document that has been created by Seetec Plus. The document brings together links to initiatives helping to ease the cost of living pressure, particularly for jobseekers across Worcestershire.

Training / Courses / Information Workshops

The Energy Crisis  *FREE* 1.5 hour training for both staff and volunteers in February and March

Are you a front-line worker in Worcestershire helping people who may be in fuel poverty? If so, this training is designed for you, delivered by Act on Energy, and will cover: 

Fuel Poverty  

·                         What is Fuel Poverty?  

·                         Fuel Poverty impacts in Worcestershire 

·                         What does Fuel Poverty actually look like – how can you spot it? 

·                         The issues with damp and mould 

 Energy Crisis  

·                         Myth busting  

·                         Top tips on talking with suppliers 

·                         How we can mitigate against higher prices 

·                         Grants and funding available 

 To view and book onto planned dates, please click on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/energy-update-myth-busting-and-cost-of-living-advice-tickets-510531612797

*Plenty of dates still available so don’t miss out!

Resistance Band Exercises – Staff Training 15.03.23

Public health’s Living Well for Longer project will be delivering training to staff and volunteers to provide them with the skills to deliver resistance band training to over 50s within Worcestershire.  The Resistance Band Exercises is an exciting initiative to encourage positive and active ageing throughout Worcestershire. It has been demonstrated that regular resistance training helps to build muscle strength, improve balance, and reduce falls.

Resistance Bands Exercises Training will be provided by Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire and will take place on Wednesday 15^th March 14:30- 16:30 at: University of Worcester Arena,  Joel Richards Conference Suite, University of Worcester, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN. There are 2 information documents attached and if your organisation is interested in taking part, please follow this link to complete an online form.

Training Opportunity – Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Please see the link to some *Free* virtual training that is available throughout the year, to find out more visit: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Below are the instructions for external delegates to book on.

·     Do you have an account – No thanks

·     Course price  – click in public circle

·     Select organisation from dropdown box – Public

·     Put in your address

·     Then click book course

Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) Course in Redditch – Starts 6th March

Please find attached details of a CSCS course that is starting in Redditch on Monday 6^th March. The course offers an introduction to working in the construction sector, with CSCS test and card included in the package. Monday 6^th March to Friday 17^th March, 9am-4pm at Square Metre, Redditch B97 4AB.  You can make a referral by emailing  or  , or telephone 01604436880.

Events / Roadshows

Bromsgrove Vigil

The Bromsgrove Youth Hub are leading on a vigil for Brianna Ghey at St. John’s Church Bromsgrove at 5-6pm on Tuesday the 21st of February. Further information can be found here: Facebook – Bromsgrove Pride – Brianna – Bromsgrove Vigil.   Everyone is welcome.

Early Help in the Community Events

Worcestershire Children’s First are running 6 ‘Early Help in the Community’ events that will provide an exciting opportunity to bring together a wide range of organisations and groups who work in your community and county wide who offer support, advice or services to children, young people, and their families locally. The Bromsgrove event has now taken place, but you can still attend the Redditch event on Wednesday 8th March 2023, 4:00 – 5:30pm. For more information and details visit here or to book a free place at an event, please email 

Consultations / Surveys

Cost of Living Survey – Your views matter!

Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils and other local partners would like to gather the views of the local community and better understand their experience of the cost of living crisis, how it is affecting them and look at how to improve the help, advice and support available. The link to the Redditch survey can be found here and the Bromsgrove survey here. A printable version is attached or copies can be collected from Customer Services at both Redditch Town Hall or Parkside in Bromsgrove.  Alternatively, a QR code is attached for those with a smartphone or tablet, to use via their camera. The survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The closing date for responses is 5pm Friday 10 March 2023.

Redditch Library Consultation – closing soon

The proposed library relocation plans will result in the redevelopment of the current Redditch Library site to make way for a public square, a café pavilion and further commercial developments.  Worcestershire County Council and Redditch Borough Council believe that Redditch Library provides an important service to residents and community groups within the town, and therefore have specified that if the library were to be relocated:

·        Library floor space will remain equal to or similar to the current library space

·        The library service will remain accessible to all

·        The library service will not be reduced

The proposed plans for the relocated library are to deliver a new community ‘one stop’ venue in the refurbished Town Hall, providing residents with flexible access to a variety of services.  There is a survey open to find out people’s views which closes on 24 February and further information can be found at:  Redditch Library Consultation | Worcestershire County Council

Family Hubs Survey – We need the views of Redditch Families

Worcestershire Early Help Partnership want to hear from Redditch families and young people about what is important to them and the help and support they need.  This will help shape future services and the creation of Family Hubs.  Family hubs aim to provide joined-up help, support and services to children, young people, and families from pregnancy through to the age of 19 years old (or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). They focus on bringing services together and changing the way family help and support is delivered locally. Services may be delivered from a mixture of locations such as children’s centres, libraries, schools etc as well as delivered online/ virtually or in the home.
Please help promote.  The survey is anonymous and confidential, and will help shape the local family hub – plus there is an opportunity to be entered into a draw to win 1 of 4 £50 supermarket shopping vouchers.  Please encourage families and young people to respond to this survey using this link or you could display the attached QR code.  If a word version or another format is required, you can email . The survey closes at midnight on Sunday 30 April 2023.

Hospitals – The Big Quality Conversation- please get involved

Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust has launched their third annual short survey as part of “The Big Quality Conversation” and is keen to hear the views of the community to find out what matters most to people about their experiences in local hospitals and to find out what their priorities should be.

To support the public in feeding back to directly, they have prepared the attached poster, which contains:

·      A clickable web link, which will take you to the survey

·      A QR code – for those with a smartphone/tablet device, to use via their camera

The survey is now live and will close on Sunday 5th March 2023.

National Youth Agency Census

The National Youth Sector Census is a survey of all youth sector provision across England. It aims to capture an accurate picture of youth services and out of school activities. If you’re delivering support to young people, places where they can have fun, with the support of a youth worker and volunteers who advise, guide, and create opportunities for young people then you should be included. Here’s the link to the survey: National Youth Sector Census – NYA  Complete the Census by 31 March 2023 to be featured in the NYA annual State of the Nation report (due to be published by the summer)

Health Campaigns / Initiatives

Stay Connected in 2023

The Stay Connected pledge initiative is being relaunched and your help is needed to start the conversation. Stay Connected is a pledge by organisations to tackle loneliness by being welcoming, inclusive and pro-actively supporting people. Tackling Loneliness has always been a priority in Worcestershire, but it is now more important than ever. Loneliness is a serious issue which can have a harmful effect on our physical and mental health. Any organisation, of any size can join Stay Connected. The pledge is available for any Worcestershire based organisation to sign up to, whether they are commercial businesses, public sector organisations, volunteer groups or social groups. All groups are welcome! To find out more about Stay Connected and how your organisation can get involved go to: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/stayconnected.

Lift Someone out of Loneliness Campaign

As part of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign, the 6-week Lift Someone out of Loneliness Campaign has been launched. There are a range of resources which are now available to download from the Campaign Resource Centre to help spread the word and support the campaign.

Act F.A.S.T. Stroke Campaign

NHS England, in association with the Stroke Association have relaunched the Act F.A.S.T. stroke campaign. The campaign highlights that a stroke is a medical emergency and urges the public to call 999 immediately if they notice any single one of the signs of a stroke in themselves or others. The Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999.

Please support – A selection of the resources available to support the campaign are below:

Campaign toolkit

Social media assets and copy

Posters

Campaign materials are available on the Campaign Resource Centre, including multicultural assets, and further assets will be available in the coming weeks.

No Smoking Day 8 March 2023 – Communications Toolkit

In preparation for No Smoking Day on Wednesday 8 March 2023, ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) has created a new communications toolkit to support your local quit smoking marketing activity.

The theme for No Smoking Day this year is brain health and the link between smoking and dementia. ASH has been working with Alzheimer’s Research UK in development of the toolkit whose research demonstrates low awareness amongst smokers of the increased risk of dementia caused by smoking. The campaign will encourage smokers to ‘never give up giving up’ and signpost them to the NHS Better Health Quit Smoking website which includes a wealth of information and support to help smokers on their quitting journey.    A range of free quit smoking resources are available on the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre to support ongoing quit smoking activity. Please send any queries directly to ASH: 

Funding/Grants

Redditch VCS Grants Scheme 2023-24

The Redditch Borough Council’s Main Grant Pot is now open.  There is one round of grants this year with the Main Grant Pot being there for Voluntary Community Sector organisations to bid for funding from £500 up to £10K to help with their core costs and salaries or to support them to deliver great community events, projects and activities! The application process, which has been broken down into 2 categories, with a slightly simpler application form for Lower grants (between £500 and £2k) and a more detailed form for Higher grants (over £2k and up to £10k). There is around £100k available, of which £10k has been ringfencing to create a separate ‘Mental Health’ funding pot. For this pot, VCS groups can bid for between £500 to £5k to help them deliver specific projects to support Redditch residents who have suffered from mental health and wellbeing issues, with a specific focus on suicide prevention work. There is set criteria in place that anyone wishing to apply must meet. Each proposed project must be something that’s needed in the area, well planned, outcome focussed and aligned to the Council’s Strategic Purposes. For further details about the programme and how to apply, please visit here.  The closing date for all applications is 4pm, Friday 24^th February.

Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Funding

Redditch Borough Council are putting together an application on behalf of providers in Redditch to access Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) funding.  This funding is available so that organisations can deliver activities and provide food during the school holidays targeting children who are entitled to free school meals. Activities can be whatever you want it to be from sport, arts and crafts, music, educational workshops, trips or anything you feel you feel would be worth doing for a group of children. There will need to be food included as part of the activity and there must be no more than 4 hours of provision for each day you decide to deliver during the 2 weeks of the Easter holidays. Funding can cover all aspects of what you want to deliver including staff, venue, food, equipment / resources, training and transport.  Activities must be delivered during the Easter holidays (3rd-14th Apr) so if you’re interested in accessing this funding or have any questions, please contact Gomez Vincent on 07809 586301 or 

Bromsgrove & Redditch Social Prescribing Community Fund: Main Grants have reopened!

The Social Prescribing Community Fund will support local projects from the VCS, Parish Councils, schools, and sole traders that improve and increase the choice, range, and reach of available community activities for social prescribing to refer local people to – especially for those people most impacted by the pandemic, by Cost of Living, and those who are vulnerable or experiencing health inequalities.

The purpose of this funding is to support projects that have a reasonable chance of sustainability in the longer term. Applications can be up to £7500 (or £2500 for sole traders), although more may be considered for exceptional projects. The Bromsgrove closing date is Monday 6th March 2023 at 12 noon and the Redditch closing date is Monday 13th March 2023 at 12 noon.  Find out more at barn.org.uk/grants

*Reminder* Oakland Foundation – Funding available

The Foundation’s focus is to help ‘disadvantaged children under the age of 16 and their families’. They provide funding support based on the following themes:

*Education: to ensure children get the best education, no matter their background.
*Health and nutrition: to ensure children have access to healthy food.
*Sport: to ensure children have access to sport and activities irrespective of social background or physical ability.

Although open to Worcestershire and wider, they are keen to receive applications from Redditch and/or Bromsgrove in particular.  To find out more visit:  The Oakland Foundation (oakland-foundation.com)

Other Newsletters

Healthwatch Worcs Bulletin – January 2023 – Find attached

Carers Careline February Newsletter– Find attached

Winter Newsletter from the Basement Project – Find attached

Get Active and Creative in Bromsgrove in 2023 – Find attached

Get Active and Creative in Redditch in 2023 – Find attached

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Involvement Network Update – 13 February 2023 – Find attached

DWP partnership weekly update – 16 Feb 23– Find attached