Wellbeing in Partnership E-Bulletin – Bromsgrove and Redditch – April 2025

Welcome to the April edition! Inside you’ll find updates on the NEW Household Support Fund Phase 7, community services, upcoming events, training, funding, and more for partners across Redditch and Bromsgrove.

💷 Household Support Fund (HSF) Phase 7

🗓️ Announced: 19 March 2025 | 📉 Funding reduction: ~£1 million for Worcestershire
This phase runs for 12 months, with a revised focus:

• ✅ Primary objective: Crisis support

• ✅ Secondary objective: Preventative support

🔌 Act on Energy – Worcestershire HSF7 Scheme – OPEN NOW

Support with:

• Energy/water costs & debt

• Boiler/heating repairs or replacements (subject to funding)

📞 Call: 0800 988 2881
💻 Apply online: Act on Energy Website

🧾 Citizens Advice – Bromsgrove & Redditch HSF7 Scheme – Coming Soon

Delivered in partnership with the Councils’ Financial Inclusion Team.

🔜 Launch: TBC – Updates to follow
👥 Partners: Please continue referring those in need – other help may still be available.
🌐 CABR Website

💳 WAN (Worcestershire Advice Network) – £75 Cash Voucher Scheme – OPEN

Who can apply?

• Pensioners not on Pension Credit

• Disabled individuals or those with long-term health conditions

• Carers (any age)

• People with energy-intensive medical devices

📍 Delivered by Age UK Wyvern, Age UK BRWF & CABR
📞 Contact info available via: Worcestershire Advice Network

🏘️ Cost of Living – Local Help

📇 Free Business Cards – Contact Numbers

Pick up a free supply of handy-sized contact cards for residents:
📍 Redditch: Kingfisher Centre, 5 George Walk (behind Primark)
📍 Bromsgrove: Parkside Customer Services

🔋 Act on Energy – Free Energy Advice Service

✅ Cut bills | ✅ Avoid scams | ✅ Get home energy help | ✅ Access grants
📞 Call: 0800 988 2881
📧 Email:
🌐 Act on Energy

🌍 Cost of Living Webpages

Updated regularly – let us know what’s missing!

🌐 Redditch Website
🌐 Bromsgrove Website

📣 Service & Support Updates

👋 New Chief Executive – John Leach

Started: 31st March 2025 at Bromsgrove District & Redditch Borough Councils
📎 Message attached

🧸 Worcestershire Family Hubs – Pear Tree & Holly Trees

Replacing ‘Starting Well’ with 0–19s support (up to 25 with SEND).
📞 Contact: Laura Palin – Family Hub Manager
📧
🎓 Webinars available until 20 May

🕺 NEW Move More Class – Alvechurch

📅 Starts: 7 May | 🕐 Wednesdays 1–2pm | 🏢 Baptist Church Hall
🎟️ Open to all – seated/standing exercises
💻 Age UK BRWF – Events

🚒 Home Fire Safety Visits – FREE

Support for:

• Elderly residents

• Families

• People with reduced mobility

📞 Self-referral: 0800 032 1155
📧 Info:
📎 Flyers & Referral Forms attached

📅 Key Campaigns & Events

🦈 Stop Loan Sharks Week – 19–25 May

🗨️ Theme: “We’re here whenever you’re ready”
📎 Toolkit here
👤 Contact:

🚶‍♀️ National Walking Month – #WalkThisMay

📅 Challenge: 12–25 May
📎 Download Toolkit

🧠 Mental Health Awareness Event – Community First

📅 15 May | 🕤 9.30am–1.30pm | 📍 University of Worcester Arena
💬 Theme: Community
🎟️ Book Your Place

📚 Memories & Me – FREE Session

📅 11 June | 🕥 10–11.30am | 📍 Bromsgrove Library
🧠 Tools for dementia-friendly support
🍪 Refreshments provided

🖥️ Online Safety Conference – West Mercia Police

📅 18 June | 🕤 9.30am–3.30pm
🎟️ Register on Eventbrite

🎓 Training & Courses

🆘 Community Advice First Aider Training (CABR) – FREE

📍 Bromsgrove Office
⏰ 3.5 hours | 🧾 Certificate awarded
📧 Book:
🗓️ Dates: 7, 14, 16, 19, 23 May & 4, 20, 27 June
📎 Flyer attached

🛑 Domestic Abuse Training – FREE (WCC)

📍 Online via Zoom | 3 Modules
📧 Book:
📎 Flyer with full details attached

🍽️ Level 2 Food Hygiene Training – FREE

👥 For VCS staff & volunteers
📧 Book:
🏅 CPD accredited certificate on completion

💰 Funding Opportunities

💝 Grants for Disabled & Life-Limited Children

Up to £10,000 for eligible organisations.
💻 GrantFinder Registration

🌟 Local Grant Schemes

• Stay Connected Grant: £250–£2,500 – Combat loneliness

• Youth Innovation Fund: Up to £3,000 – Prevent youth crime

• Innovation Grant for Schools – Creative wellbeing projects

• Physical Activity Wellbeing Grant – Up to £3,000

📧 Contact: Jess Wade –

📢 Reminders

📻 RTS Electricity Meter Switch-Off – 30 June 2025

❗ May affect heating/hot water supply
📞 Residents should contact suppliers
✅ More info via: Act on Energy – RTS

☎️ Landline to Digital – Ongoing

All phone lines to go digital by January 2027
🚨 Residents using care alarms or without mobiles must notify their provider
🌐 Digital Switchover – Bromsgrove
🌐 Digital Switchover – Redditch

🗞️ Newsletters Attached

📥 Including:

• DWP Touchbase & Update

• Young Solutions

• Worcestershire Health Champions

• Age UK, Carers Careline, Basement Project & more