North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service free Safe and Well Visits

 
As part of enhanced visits, advice about health and wellbeing can be given, as well as fire safety information. This may include where to find support and further advice on:

• giving up smoking
• avoiding falls
• keeping your home warm
• living with dementia

 You can book a visit or make a referral online or call the Fire Safety Advice Line on

01609 788545.
 

 Harrogate and District Gang Show 2022
Fri 11 and Sat 12 March, 7.15pm and on Sat at 2.15pm  

Book your tickets here to join Harrogate and District Scouts and Guides at The Royal Hall, Harrogate.   
 

Harrogate Library closure 19 March to 4 April 2022

Harrogate library will be closed from 4pm Saturday 19 March to 9am Monday 4 April 2022 due to maintenance work.

You can find your nearest alternative library or you can access library services online.

 Platinum Jubilee Tea Party – Is your birthday in June?
Friday 3 June 2pm to 4pm in Ripon Cathedral

The Cathedral would like to invite one person born in June of each year of the Queen’s 70-year reign, which began in 1952. So, if you were born in June between 1952 and 2021, please get in touch with them for a chance to celebrate this historic event in an equally historic setting.

This event will create a human timeline back to 1952 and those invited will enjoy afternoon tea, music and entertainment. All invitees can bring one friend or family member with them and those under 18 will need an accompanying adult.

Find out how to apply here. All applications should be made by 14 March 2022.
 

 Happy Birthday Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP)

 
HHP is launching a fundraising campaign for its 30th Anniversary. Plans are underway to develop the charity’s Springboard day centre to create a thriving community hub where people experiencing homelessness can access services that will give them the support they need to build confidence and move towards independent living.
 
Currently Springboard offers a weekly GP surgery, podiatry, hairdressing, showers, meals and practical advice and support including housing advice and counselling.
 
The hope is to expand this to include services such as dentistry, opticians, yoga, mindfulness and even a vet clinic, plus basic cookery classes, nutritional advice, literacy and numeracy classes and IT skills sessions.
 
On Thursday 21 April – which is National Tea Day – you’re invited to join their “Cuppa Tea for HHP” campaign.
     
On 22 May Ripon Cathedral will be pealing the bells to mark the official 30th anniversary of the charity.
 

MEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES LEAST LIKELY TO SEEK SUPPORT WHEN STRUGGLING TO COPE

A new Samaritans survey has discovered that men in rural areas (43%) are less likely than men in urban areas (51%) to reach out for support or talk to someone if they are struggling with their mental health. Women living in rural areas are much more likely than men to seek help with 60%, saying they would talk to someone if they were struggling.

The findings come as Samaritans launches a new phase of its Real People, Real Stories campaign, supported by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, which aims to reach men in rural communities who are struggling to cope to prevent them reaching crisis point.  In the UK and Ireland, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Two thirds of men living in rural areas (66%) also said there are a variety of factors that would stop them reaching out for support even if they were struggling. Samaritans discovered the top three barriers are stigma around mental health (18%), not knowing who to turn to (15%) and lack of awareness of support available (15%).

When it comes to cities across the UK, men and women living in the Leeds area were most likely to reach out for help if they needed it (61%) compared to just 45% of those living in the Bristol area, who were the least likely out of the 17 nearest cities surveyed.

As evidence suggests that suicide rates are higher in rural areas compared to urban areas and rural-based occupations, such as those in agriculture, have also been shown to have an increased risk of suicide, the UK’s leading suicide prevention charity is raising awareness amongst men in these environments to let them know they do not need to face things alone.

Michael Brown, from North Yorkshire, grew up on a farm and has gone on to run his own agricultural business. After he attempted to take his own life, Michael’s community rallied round him and he realised he was not as alone as he had imagined. He now dedicates time to tackling mental health stigma in rural communities by visiting local groups and speaking to male farmers about the importance of talking to someone before reaching crisis point.

Michael said:

“Up until my suicide attempt, I didn’t think I had any problems. It’s only after getting the help I should have sought before that it became apparent that I was in a really dark and lonely place. The rural community is fantastic but there is isolation and remoteness – you don’t see anybody new, you don’t get to know what’s going on and that’s difficult because you’re not coming across people to talk to. I’ve learnt how important it really is to talk.

“I think it’s naturally harder for men to open up, particularly men in rural communities, where there is still stigma around talking about mental health. That’s why I go out and speak to men about my experience and encourage them to talk early on if they are struggling.

“Finally opening up was the start of the flood gates opening. Up to that point, everything in my head was going round so fast. As soon as you talk to somebody, your problems half. Straight away, you’ve opened up, your problem is not yours anymore, you’ve shared it with somebody. That makes life so much easier, and it makes it easier to go get additional help if you need it. It was a long, hard journey but we got through it and we go forward each day.”

This year’s Real People, Real Stories campaign, supported by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, aims to encourage this harder to reach group to talk to someone about how they are feeling when they are struggling to cope, before reaching crisis point. As real people with positive stories of recovery and hope have been found to be extremely powerful in supporting others who are struggling, Samaritans is sharing experiences from men with rural backgrounds who have overcome tough times to demonstrate the power that human connection and being heard can have.

VIDEO: Michael, who works in the agricultural industry, is supporting Samaritans Real People Real Stories campaign which is aiming to help men in rural communities.

Paul McDonald, Executive Director of External Affairs at Samaritans, commented:

As we mark two years that have been challenging for everyone since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s vital to encourage men in rural communities finding life tough to seek help by calling Samaritans for free 24/7 on 116 123 or visiting samaritans.org for online self-help tools and information.

Family Fund – The Family Fund Trust for families with severely disabled children

The Family Fund helps families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under. You can apply to Family Fund subject to a number of criteria which include that you are the parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under and that you have evidence of entitlement to one of the following: Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit.

See the website for more details.

https://www.familyfund.org.uk/

NYCC have sent the PC a survey link that you may be interested in reading.

The following is all from NYCC:

            Do you have easy access to a Pharmacy?

–           Is it open during the time of day you need it?

–           Does it provide all the services you need?

We are inviting you to tell us about your experiences and satisfaction with the service you receive form your local pharmacy. 

The information gathered from your answers will contribute to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which is used to help make decisions about where pharmacies need to be located, their opening hours, and the services they need to provide.

Your say important to us so please spare a few minutes to complete this questionnaire. The questionnaire is anonymous and any information you give will not be linked to you.

Click here to have your say: Link

Survey link:       https://consult.northyorks.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=164251427673

Website link:     https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment-residents

The Staveley Nature Reserve have suffered a significant theft. The trailer previously kept chained up next to the shipping container was stolen in mid February.

The thieves cut the Church lane lock and used an angle grinder to remove the chains securing the trailer.

Anyone with information or suspicions please contact either the Police or Laura Harman ( laura.harman@ywt.org.uk). 

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022

The Platinum Jubilee in 2022 will mark seventy years of Her Majesty’s reign. An extended bank holiday, from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2022, will provide an opportunity for communities throughout the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and the world to come together to celebrate this historic milestone.

Harrogate Borough Council has made available  a funding pot of £15,000. Community groups and organisations can apply for grants of between £200 to £1,000 for events and activities taking place over the Jubilee bank holiday and up to £2,000 for legacy projects that must be completed by 30 September 2022. Applicants must show a clear link to the celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee in terms of theme and activity planning.

Harrogate Borough Council is hoping that local community groups and organisations will join in with the festivities and use this grant funding to bring local communities and individuals together to celebrate The Queen’s Jubilee.

Platinum Jubilee Community Grants Fund is now open.  guidance notes and the online application form can be found at Platinum Jubilee community grants – Harrogate Borough Council The closing date for all applications is noon on Friday 8^th April 2022 and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application  on the week commencing 25^th April 2022