Onesuffolk News

Share and learn green skills in Saxmundham

Suffolk Coastal LSP — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:37:08 +0100

A special free afternoon event has been lined up for Saturday, May 26 when people can learn or share skills that could help make a little green difference to their lives.

The Skills Share event is being held from 2pm - 5.15pm at the Saxmundham Community Resource Unit in Saxmundham’s Seaman Avenue and is open to anyone who wants to come along and pick up or pass on useful tips.

“This is an excellent grass-roots event that aims to tap into the local knowledge within our communities so that it can be shared with those who want helpful advice that could make a real green difference to them,”

said Andrew Cassy, Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership Board member.

“Already we know there will be people offering tips on bee keeping and jam making, basic road safety awareness for cyclists, horse riders and motorists, how to make the most of your garden or allotment, and practical demonstrations on home plumbing or making solar hot water systems.

“We would like to hear from people keen to register their skills and experiences who would be ready on the day to help people learn how to successfully take action in their own homes or lives. Small snippets of advice can help people save money and have a positive impact on the environment, whether by not using scarce resources or growing some of their own food,”

added Mr Cassy.

Other attractions on the day include practical workshops on how to repair bicycles, and people can bring their bike along to get it fixed for free, as well as screen-printing of high visibility jackets for cyclists.

“I do hope people take this chance to come along and pick up some really useful help and advice, and share their own skills to help households in these tough economic times,”

added Mr Cassy.

The event is free but places need to be booked or skills registered by contacting Dan Wheals on 01394 444218 or email dan.wheals@groundwork.org.uk. Skills Share has been organised by Greener Sax and Groundwork East of England, with funding from the SCLSP and the Environment Agency.

Mental health trust appoints new Suffolk director

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:07:02 +0100

Mental health trust, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, has appointed a new non executive director based in Suffolk.

Gary Page, aged 46, of Hall Lane, Wetheringsett, took up his post last month.

Mr Page is currently chair of trustees at the Hoffman Foundation for Autism and has held this role since 2010. The Foundation is a charity providing residential, supported living and day services in North London for adults with autism. Before joining the Hoffman Foundation, Mr Page was chair of trustees at Ian Mikardo High School Charitable Trust for two years (2008 – 10).

Before this, Mr Page had a successful career in the banking industry and spent 14 years at ABNAMRO in a number of different roles. He has particular experience of building new businesses and improving underperforming areas of the Bank.

Mr Page said:

“I am really passionate about challenging the stigma surrounding mental illness and learning disability and am looking forward to working with a high performing Trust with aspirations to grow into the best in class.”

Mr Page lives with his partner and has two children from a previous marriage. In his spare time he enjoys gardening, travel and cooking.

East Anglian NHS Trust honours international day of action against homophobia

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:08:44 +0100

A mental health Trust that provides services in Norfolk and Suffolk is today <17 May> showing its support for lesbian, gay and bisexual rights by supporting International Day of Action against Homophobia (IDAHO).

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust will be flying a rainbow flag at its headquarters in Norwich as a show of solidarity to those suffering homophobic abuse.

The day marks the anniversary of a landmark in lesbian, gay and bisexual rights, when the World Health Organisation renounced homosexuality as a mental disorder on 17 May 1990.

Maggie Wheeler, Trust chair, said:

"It is remarkable that less than 25 years ago the WHO still classified homosexuality as a mental illness.

"While a lot of progress has been made in this short time, we know from reports of bullying and violence that there is still a lot of prejudice around today.

"The International Day of Action Against Homophobia is about saying a firm ‘no’ to this prejudice. We’re proud to support this cause."

The flag was raised by Maggie together with Kirsty Scales, Unison LGBT officer at the Trust, who said:

"We know that there are still staff and service users who do not feel safe to come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, because of fear of homophobia and transphobia from others."

Flying the rainbow flag is an important part of acknowledging this issue, and showing a commitment to counter homophobia and transphobia."

The Trust, who are Stonewall Diversity Champions, are well known supporters of LGB rights in Norfolk and Suffolk, and will be at LGBT Pride events in both counties as well as the Norwich Transgender conference at UEA.

Maggie added:

“As the key mental health provider in Norfolk and Suffolk we’re pleased to support community events that promote positive messages to all of the people we serve.”

Can you give an independent view on councillors?

Suffolk Coastal & Waveney District Councils — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:27:42 +0100

Suffolk Coastal, Waveney and the other six largest councils in Suffolk are currently recruiting independent people who want to help maintain the high standards of conduct of local councillors.

Each of the eight councils must appoint an ‘independent person’ who can come to a quick and appropriate view about whether individual councillors are meeting the standards of behaviour that they are expected to adhere to.

“For the last few years we have had Standards Committees made of members of the public, district and parish councillors who would decide upon any complaints against local councillors, but a new system is being introduced by Parliament,”

said Arthur Charvonia, Suffolk Coastal and Waveney’s Assistant Chief Executive.

“Last year’s Localism Act requires all councils to have their own independent person who will perform an important role, to ensure any complaints about councillors are dealt with fairly, properly and consistently.

“Anyone who thinks they could take on this significant new post and has a track record of being fair, pragmatic and committed to high standards of behaviour has until next Monday, May 21 to help serve their local community by applying to become our independent person,”

added Mr Charvonia.

The seven district and borough councils and the county council have prepared for this new era by aiming to agree a new shared code of conduct for their councillors that will apply to all eight councils, and be available to be adopted by all parish and town councils.

Each Council’s independent person will be consulted by that Council’s monitoring officer before a decision is made on how to respond to an allegation that a councillor may have breached the code of conduct.

A small annual allowance will be paid, together with a case fee and expenses. Time commitment would be, on average, three to ten hours a month. For more information about the posts visit the county website www.suffolk.gov.uk/your-council/about-suffolk-county-council/scrutiny-and-monitoring/suffolk-councils-in-search-for-independent-minds/ or call Tracey Quennell on 01473 264210 or email tracey.quennell@suffolk.gov.uk.

Have you seen Edmund?

St Edmundsbury Borough Council — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:32:59 +0100

During this weekend at Moyse’s Hall, in the town centre, the hunt is on for ‘Edmund’ – explore the battles that led to his death with Living History group Centingas who will be recreating battles and telling the story. What was life like during these times and how did the warriors live and fight! All will be revealed during a fun packed weekend at Moyse’s Hall over the weekend of 19/20 May when you can meet the King’s Thane (armed-retainer) and his wife, a story-teller/scribe and harpist, a Viking trader with various women and warriors and who knows, you may also find Edmund!

All the above events are included with your normal Heritage Ticket admission so make the most of it.

Visit www.moyseshall.org for full details.

Optua celebrates UK Inspire Day!

Optua — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:45:43 +0100

Tomorrow (Wednesday 16 May), is UK Inspire Day and Suffolk Disability Charity Optua is kicking off a summer of sporting celebration by reminding people of all the great work being done across the county to inspire disabled people to get involved in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Optua itself has three London 2012 Inspire Marks for events it is holding this year to help inspire disabled people to get involved – the only organisation in the country to have more than one disability sport related Inspire Mark. The third of these events is the RHS Optua Games being held at the Royal Hospital School next month but there are plenty of opportunities which Optua and other organisations are organising for disabled people in Suffolk and many reasons to get excited:

RHS Optua Games – 28 June. A day of fun team sports activities with a 2012 theme. Over 150 disabled people will be taking part in this event
Optua is organising trips for people from Suffolk to be at the Paralympic Games later this summer
Optua held its 10th Disability Sport Showcase Day in March. These events have the 2012 Inspire Mark and have attracted around 1,000 people with disabilities since 2006
A Paralympic Flame Festival is being held at Needham Lake on Friday 24 August and the official Paralympic Flame will also be visiting other parts of the county
Optua will be supporting disabled people to attend the Olympic Torch Relay events in July in Woodbridge, Ipswich and Lowestoft
Optua’s guide to disability sports clubs now includes over 80 clubs and regular opportunities for people to take part in disability sport in Suffolk
Optua are supporting six young people with disabilities from Suffolk to be official Young Games Makers, volunteering at the Aquatics Centre events during the Games
The East Anglian Sailing Trust are hosting the Blind Sailing championships this weekend (18-20 May) at Levington
Suffolk powerlifter Zoe Newson has been selected to be part of the GB squad for the Paralympic Games and next Monday (21 May) marks 100 days to go to the 2012 Paralympic Games.

People can get other ideas of how to get involved the Games by going to www.london2012.com/join-in/

David Finn, Optua’s Leisure Services Manager, said: “National Inspire Day is a great day to remind everyone of what has been achieved here in Suffolk and of how much is going on this summer to get local disabled people involved. Working with key partners like Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Sport and other local council and sports clubs, a huge amount has been achieved in Suffolk. Although the games are happening in London it’s still having a massive impact on people in our county and we’re all doing our best to inspire disabled people to get involved.”

The 2012 Inspire programme recognises and rewards exceptional, non-commercial projects inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s an opportunity for everyone to be part of the Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport, education, culture, sustainability, volunteering and business opportunities. You can search for your nearest Inspire events and be inspired to take part this summer at www.london2012.com/beinspired

Anyone interested in any of these events can contact Optua’s Leisure Service on 01473 836770. You can also find more information about how to join in with the Olympic and Paralympic Games at www.london2012.com/join-in/

Second event planned for mental health carers in Great Yarmouth and Waveney

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:53:47 +0100

A ‘Carers’ Forum’ is to be held on 25 May in Lowestoft, following the success of a similar event especially for carers held last year.

Taking place at the Aspire Centre, Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft, the event has been organised by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with local mental health charity Feedback.

Local MP Peter Aldous, Lowestoft Mayor Todd Sullivan and Barry Capon a non-executive director of the Trust will open the event at 10.15am.

Throughout the day carers’ will have the opportunity to take advice from the Trusts’ pharmacy department about prescribed medication and local charities will be on hand to offer help and advice on finances. They will also be able to sample some holistic therapies including reflexology and Indian head massage for some well earned respite.

The Trust have also organised psychiatrists, a mental health act solicitor and their own expert on personality disorders Karen Mitchell, who works in the forensic team to speak throughout the afternoon.

The event, which coincides with Dementia Awareness Week, will also host the first public showing of short film “Remember Me”, which follows the experiences of dementia sufferers and their families.

Howard Tidman, Carers Lead for Acute services in Yarmouth and Waveney, said:

“Feedback from last year’s event was excellent with around 40 carers attending. Everyone commented on how useful they found the opportunity to ask questions specific to them and meet others caring for relatives. I sincerely hope we see even more carers attend this year who can take advantage of their chance to speak to experts about mental health conditions and meet others with a shared experience.”

Core strategy officially submitted for inspection

Suffolk Coastal DC — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:56:37 +0100

Suffolk Coastal’s Core Strategy document, and all the relevant background paperwork, was formally submitted this week (Tuesday) to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for independent examination.

Copies of the documentation can be seen on the Council’s website www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/review/corestrategy or at the Council offices, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU during normal office hours of 8.45am to 5.15pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am – 5.15pm on Wednesdays, and 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.

“The Core Strategy and supporting documentation, together with the representations received about its soundness, have been submitted for Examination in Public. From among those the planning inspector will identify those to be debated during the public sessions,”

said Cllr Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning.

“The inspector will publicly examine and consider the Core Strategy to decide if it is ‘sound’, which in simple terms means whether it is consistent with national policy, has been properly prepared, and is appropriate and deliverable.

“On completion of the Examination in Public, the inspector will consider all of the written representations and evidence put forward as part of the examination and will write a formal report, which will determine whether the document has been found ‘sound’,”

added Cllr Smith.

A full guide to how public examinations work can be found on the Planning Portal website, or on www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/review/corestrategy.

The Planning Inspectorate has now announced that Mike Moore has been appointed the Inspector to determine whether the Core Strategy is a sound document. He will be assisted by a programme officer Annette Feeney who is now the official point of contact for the public (and the Council) for all matters to do with the Core Strategy. She can be contacted on 01394 444251 or 07557 633870, or by emailing annette.feeney@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.

The actual dates for the examination have not yet been set, although a draft timetable based on the procedural guidance is also on the Council’s website. This will be updated as and when the information is available.

“The Core Strategy is our blueprint for the future and it carefully balances the need for the growth in homes and jobs needed to ensure a strong modern local economy, against our commitment to protect our splendid environment, both natural and built.

“For the best part of 10 years we have been working to finalise a plan to simultaneously enhance these two advantages. Our Core Strategy has stringent rules and policies to safeguard our environment with sufficient measures to ensure we have the good quality developments we need in the future, without threatening what makes our district so special.

“We need to get in place an officially approved ‘sound’ plan as soon as possible to give our district the protection it needs to guard against speculative or ill-suited developments, while putting in place the carefully set out and managed framework that will balance future growth with the need to protect the treasured parts of our district,”

added Cllr Smith.

Live Well Suffolk celebrating 'Fruity Friday' in Ipswich town centre (Friday May 18th)

Live Well Suffolk — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:39:24 +0100

Visitors to Ipswich market next Friday (18th May) will be greeted with the sight of giant bananas handing out free fruit samples thanks to the community health team from Live Well Suffolk.

The healthy lifestyles service will be setting up a stall on the market and dressing up in wacky banana costumes to hand out free fruit as part of the World Cancer Research Fund UK’s (WCRF UK) annual ‘Fruity Friday’ campaign. The event is designed to encourage individuals to eat ‘just one more’ portion of fruit per day on Friday 18th May as a way of reducing the risk of cancer.

Heather Osborn, one of Live Well Suffolk’s dietitians said:

“Many of us know that we should be aiming for five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but unfortunately many of us fail to achieve this target. On average children eat three portions and adults eat four, so we want to encourage as many people as possible to try and have an extra portion a day.”

She continued:

“After not smoking, eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight are the best things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer and we will be using Fruity Friday as an opportunity to speak to local people about their lifestyles and how making small changes can significantly improve your overall health and wellbeing.”

As part of the Fruity Friday celebrations, staff at Live Well Suffolk will be holding a charitable bake sale at their Adelphi House offices, selling healthier fruit based cakes and treats produced by participants from one of Live Well Suffolk’s Cook and Eat groups. Each course (which takes place across the county) teaches people how to eat healthier, low cost meals. The cakes produced by current ‘Cook and Eat’ participants have been supported by IHAG (Ipswich Housing Action Group and any money raised will be donated to the World Cancer Research Fund.

The Fruity Friday campaign is organised by WCRF UK as part of their annual ‘Cancer Prevention Week’ which takes place 14-20th May 2012. The week is designed to raise awareness of how healthier lifestyles can prevent up to a third of the most common cancers.

For more information about Fruity Friday or Live Well Suffolk, see www.fruityfriday.org or www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk

Trust wins contract to provide vital wellbeing service across Suffolk

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:03:49 +0100

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has today (17 April) been awarded a £17.7m contract to provide an innovative new service designed to promote wellbeing and help people safeguard their mental health.

The Suffolk Wellbeing Service (SWS) will provide a range of self-help techniques, therapies and interventions to help people manage common problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. Launching on 30 July, it will be delivered in partnership with a range of voluntary organisations and has been commissioned by NHS Suffolk for a minimum three year period. The contract is worth £5.9m a year.

Its main aims will be to reduce the onset of mental ill health, prevent deterioration and promote recovery by offering a range of flexible interventions tailored to meet each individual’s specific needs. This could include befriending, one-to-one sessions, talking therapies, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

In addition, partner organisations such as the Shaw Trust, Mentis Tree CIC, Relate and Mind will also be able to offer help with general wellbeing, as well as social issues such as employment, education and relationships.

Through close partnership working, SWS aims to provide a seamless pathway of care for those using the service.

Debbie White, the Trust’s director of operations for Suffolk, said:

“We are delighted that we have been awarded the contract to provide this important service across Suffolk, and look forward to working closely with our partners to make a difference to people’s lives.

“We already have vast experience of providing a whole wellbeing approach across Norfolk, and have used this knowledge and expertise to develop the model for Suffolk. It will offer a wide range of interventions, from self-help and education through to talking therapies, which are effective, easy to access and tailored to meet the needs of each individual. By working closely with our partners, we will promote a wellness and recovery model which encourages people to seek advice and support and access the right services for them at the right time.

“Our ultimate aim is that the service will help bring mental health into the mainstream so that it becomes as important to people as safeguarding their physical health.”

SWS will be available to people aged 13 and over who is registered with a GP in the NHS Suffolk area. Interventions will be delivered within the community, while waiting times from referral to the person accessing services will be a maximum of 10 days.

Martin Royal, NHS Suffolk’s director of corporate services said:

“We were determined to find the best organisation to run this important new service, which will reduce mental health incidences and promote recovery. Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has been carefully chosen as the new provider and we are confident they will deliver a service that matches the need of people in Suffolk.”

People will be able to self-refer to SWS via a website, phone or email. Further details will be available before the service launches.

Crimestoppers reward for information on Hadleigh arsons

Crimestoppers — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:11:44 +0100

Members of the public could be eligible for a reward of up to £1,000 if they have information on a series of arsons in Hadleigh.

The reward is available from the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and charge of the individual(s) responsible for any of the 18 incidents which have occurred since the start of 2012.

Since Saturday 1 January, items set alight include; 10 wheelie bins, a motorhome, two cars, a van, a moped, wooden fence, skip, farm machinery and an aviary in Hadleigh and surrounding nearby area. The majority of these offences are occurring in the early to late evening.

The most recent incident happened at Raven Way in Hadleigh at approximately 10.40pm on 30 March 2012. An offender set fire to a Landrover, which then caused a camper van parked nearby to catch alight. Both vehicles suffered significant damage with an approximate cost of £27,000.

Crimestoppers, which allows people to give information 100% anonymously on the 24/7 number 0800 555 111 and via a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org, is urging members of the public to come forward with information to help catch those responsible.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said:

“These are thoughtless attacks which could have resulted in the injury or even death of an innocent member of the public. Hadleigh is an extremely safe place to live so these incidents have shocked the local community”.

“Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so these awful crimes can be solved and – you could help stop further arson attacks. We do not ask for your name and no call is traced or recorded. You won’t have to give a statement, speak to the police or go to court – we only want to know what you know, not who you are. In the 24 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our anonymity promise. You could even get a cash reward without revealing your identity”.

She added

“Has someone you know displayed unusual behaviour on the nights of these events? Has someone confessed to being involved? Perhaps someone witnessed an event or saw suspicious activity in the area on one of the nights? Crimestoppers wants to receive any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem”.

Only information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 that leads to an arrest and charge is eligible for the reward. Information can also be given online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org but information will not be eligible for a reward this way.

Ten years of making Felixstowe nights safer

Suffolk Coastal DC — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:08:26 +0100

This Thursday (April 19) will see an event being held at the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a project that has been successfully making the town’s licensed premises even better places to visit.

The Felixstowe Nightsafe Partnership was formed in 2002 by a group of licensees and others in the town supported by Suffolk Constabulary and the Suffolk Coastal Community Safety Partnership, and has since signed up most local premises into the scheme.

“The aim of the group was to make Felixstowe an even safer place to have an enjoyable night out in. From the very start we have had a focus on positively tackling the sort of issues that could put people off from visiting the town’s licensed premises or that could affect local residents,”

said Cllr Mary Neale, Suffolk Coastal’s Cabinet Member for Community Health.

“This has involved working together to learn how to prevent and reduce violence, anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug-related offences, criminal damage and general nuisance in or around licensed premises.

“By uniting the licensees and working closely with the police, the result over the last 10 years has been a coordinated response to identify and prevent potential problems. Felixstowe is a safer place as a result of this partnership, and all those involved over the years deserve our thanks for their efforts,”

added Cllr Neale.

Regular meetings are held to keep members of the Partnership fully informed of any recent incidents and to share best practice. Training sessions have been held in the past covering such key issues as how to recognise and deal with any potential drug use or dealing, and how to safely defuse any potential violent situations.

Thursday evening will be a chance for existing Nightsafe members to meet and catch up with colleagues and for invited local community stakeholders to find out more about the group’s work and achievements.

Budding artists urged to think about healthy breakfasts

Live Well Suffolk — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:53:15 +0100

Young artists in Ipswich are being encouraged to think about the importance of a healthy breakfast as part of a new poster competition run by Live Well Suffolk, the county’s healthy lifestyles service.

Children under the age of 11 are being invited to design a colourful poster for Live Well Suffolk’s new healthy eating campaign, “Breakfasts ready…are you?” highlighting a healthy food item which is regularly eaten at breakfast time.

The winning artist will be presented with a family ticket for four to Cineworld Cinemas and their poster will be hung up on display at Live Well Suffolk’s drop-in centre in Adelphi House, Ipswich.

Tim Roberts, Director of Live Well Suffolk said:

“Breakfast is the most important meal as it supports you throughout the day, giving you more energy, increasing your concentration and improving your memory.

“This competition will encourage youngsters across Ipswich to think about healthier breakfast choices. We are really looking forward to seeing the finished posters and are hoping for some brightly coloured, imaginative and eye catching entries!

The posters should be no bigger than one side of A4 in size and entrants can use any form of medium, from crayons and paints to collage or computer design. The closing date is 1 June 2012.

Completed entries should be sent to Barbara Gillich, Live Well Suffolk, Adelphi House, Ipswich, IP4 1DL. Each entry should include name; address, town; postcode and phone number written neatly on the reverse. Winners will be notified and presented with their prizes by the end of June.

Live Well Suffolk’s new ‘Breakfast’s ready…are you?’ campaign was launched last month after it was revealed that one in three of us ‘never’ or ‘very rarely’ eat breakfast. To support the campaign, Live Well Suffolk has updated its website with advice and guidance on healthy breakfast meals along with short films on how to shop for healthier foods.For more information about Live Well Suffolk’s new ‘Breakfast’s Ready…are you?’ campaign, see www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk/breakfast or telephone 01473 229292

Live Well Suffolk respond to lung cancer statistics

Live Well Suffolk — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:50:22 +0100

Live Well Suffolk’s trained stop smoking advisors are encouraging women across the county to sign up for their free stop smoking support services, after a report was published stating that the number of cases of lung cancer amongst women has risen significantly.

The report, which was published today (13th April) by Cancer Research UK, shows that the number of women diagnosed with lung cancer has more than doubled with over 18,000 women diagnosed with the disease in 2009, compared with fewer than 8,000 in 1975. The most significant cause of lung cancer is smoking, with more than 80% of cases attributed to tobacco.

As a result, Live Well Suffolk are urging women across the county who are thinking about quitting smoking, to sign up for their free stop smoking support services. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Suffolk and individuals who use additional support services when trying to quit are four times more likely to succeed than those who go it alone.

Tim Roberts, Director of Live Well Suffolk said:

“The rise in lung cancer cases amongst women shows the effects of long term smoking. It is thought the rise is due to the heavy smoking which took place in the 1960s and 1970s. It is pleasing to note that smoking rates amongst women have fallen significantly in recent years, but this report shows that there can be long term health implications relating to smoking.”

He continued:

“We do know that it is never too late to stop smoking, and your health will benefit almost immediately – for example your lungs will begin to clear within 24 hours. We are encouraging anyone who is thinking about quitting, to get in touch with us and register for our free support services, which are available in locations across the county.”

Live Well Suffolk’s stop smoking sessions are available in either one-to-one or group based sessions and unique workshops are available to suit the individual needs of pregnant mums, dads and families. Each session is led by a trained advisor who will offer advice, guidance and medication to support those struggling to quit.

For more information about the clinics, or for details on how to sign up visit www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk or phone 01473 229292

Suspended sentence for benefit fraudster

Suffolk Coastal DC — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:29:38 +0100

A Saxmundham man who fraudulently claimed over £25,000 of benefits while not declaring that he was a landlord of a house in Lowestoft was given a six month suspended sentence by Ipswich Magistrates this week (Monday).

Nigel Ling, 48 of Lincoln Avenue, Saxmundham pleaded guilty to falsely receiving £18,907 of housing benefits, £4,991 of Council Tax benefits and over £1,000 of Jobseekers Allowance.

“We took this serious case to Court because he failed to disclose ownership of a property in Lowestoft that he had bought in May 2006, as well as the rental income he had received as a result from tenants, or the correct level of his earned income,”

said Siobhan Martin, Audit Partnerships Manager.

“This case was brought by Suffolk Coastal’s anti-fraud team and was the latest in the Council’s on-going pursuit of anyone in the district trying to falsely claim benefits to which they are not entitled.

“It should be increasingly clear that anyone committing benefit fraud is likely to be caught, and will have to pay back whatever they have wrongfully received, appear before the Courts and have a criminal record as a result,”

added Mrs Martin.

Ling was charged with nine counts of dishonestly claiming various benefits. He was given a six month imprisonment suspended for a year and ordered to be supervised by the probation service. He was also ordered to the carry out 240 hours of unpaid community service and to take a thinking skills course, plus a fine of £150.

Last week Sarah Jarrold, 58, of St Marys Close, Trimley St Mary appeared before Ipswich’s Magistrates and pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to advise the Council of a change in her circumstances. She had taken on two jobs with Suffolk County Council and so wrongly received £1,200 of benefits. She was fined £175 and ordered to pay £75 costs.

Maria Wills, 37 of The Walk, Felixstowe, appeared at the same Court on March 12 and pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change in her circumstances regarding undisclosed bank accounts and capital held by herself and her partner. She was fined £250 and ordered to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Suffolk Coastal’s Fraud Hotline for residents to call confidentially and report suspected benefit frauds is 01394 444444, and is available 24 hours a day, or they can email fraud.investigation@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

The Council is also equally committed to encouraging those who think they may be entitled to support to contact either its benefits team or the DWP. There is a great deal of helpful information online or people can call 01394 444838.

There are full details about benefits on the Council’s website, which includes an online calculator that indicates how much people may be entitled to, as well as the opportunity to make a claim online. People should visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourhome/benefits/

A timely tribute to our Queen

Suffolk Coastal DC — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:18:34 +0100

The latest project to get support from Suffolk Coastal’s Change Maker initiative is helping to raise money to install a clock in Woodbridge’s Thoroughfare to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Suffolk Coastal's Change Maker, Alison Jordan, has been giving help to the Woodbridge Society who are hoping to raise £5,600 to install a Repton Projecting clock on the wall of the Barretts of Woodbridge store in the Thoroughfare.

“A clock would clearly be a beautiful and permanent commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and I am sure would be appreciated for years to come by the people of Woodbridge and the many visitors that come to the town,”

said Dr Wil Gibson, Vice-chairman of the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (SCLSP) board.

“The proposal has already won financial backing from Barretts, Woodbridge in Bloom, the Woodbridge Society, and three private donors, but there will clearly have to be significant support from the local community if this excellent idea is to turn into reality.

“Julian Royle, a committee member of the Society, is now exploring themed fund-raising ideas with Alison, including buying minutes or making pledges of time and clearly any other suggestions, or better still donations, would be welcome as they attempt to mark the Queen’s historic time on the throne,”

added Dr Gibson.

Donations can be sent to the Woodbridge Society at the address below and which as a registered charity No 1117073 can accept gift aided contributions. All the money collected will ultimately be donated to Woodbridge Town Council who will buy the clock so as to ensure it remains in public ownership.

Alison Jordan is the campaign coordinator of Change Makers which provides support and guidance to local people who want to make a difference in their community, helping people turn their big idea into reality and so provide something new that could really add a special little extra to the local quality of life.

“The Change Makers initiative is funded by the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership and is specifically targeted at those who want to start something new, or make something better or just put it right. It could include setting up a club or group, or organising an activity, learning or teaching new skills, or just generally helping people in the local community,”

added Dr Gibson.

Alison Jordan can be contacted on 01473 273273 or 07531 852 112, or by emailing Alison.jordan@savo.co.uk or by writing to her at SAVO, Dickson House, 43a Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich IP4 5QN. Alison is funded by the SCLSP and supported by the Suffolk Coastal Resource Network, another SCLSP backed project.

Donations towards the Diamond Jubilee Clock will be gratefully received. They should be made payable to The Woodbridge Society and sent to – The Treasurer, The Woodbridge Society, 2 Godfrey's Wood, Melton, Suffolk IP12 1QY.

Call for artists for Olympic Torch and Aldeburgh Carnival

The Aldeburgh Beach South Lookout and The Art House — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:13:50 +0100

Artists of all kinds or a group of artists are invited to submit a proposal for an exciting week’s residency at the Aldeburgh Beach South Lookout during two key events in Aldeburgh this summer.

The Aldeburgh Beach South Lookout, this iconic tower is reinvented as a catalyst for the inspiration of artists of all kinds, and residencies can be for Visual art, Writing (in the Laurens Van der Post room), Poetry, Music, Performance/theatre, and thinking including Philosophy and Theology.

The first week is scheduled during the running of the Olympic Torch through Aldeburgh (Thursday 5^th July) beginning Monday 2^nd July and culminating in a show on Saturday 7^th July and the second scheduled for Carnival week beginning Monday 13^th August and ending Monday 20th August.

The purpose of each residency at the Lookout is for the artist to stretch him or herself and create something they would never have created without this stimulus. It is like a blank canvas onto which you can invent your own creative ideas. As a Lookout it suggests representational solutions and yet it faces the vast conceptual soup of the sea and the sky……..

There is no charge for the residencies, which are by invitation or award. Participating artists are asked to donate one piece of work from their stay to the Lookout Archive and are expected to culminate their week with a show open to the public at the end of their stay. Any works sold from the Lookout command a 50% commission, which should be taken into account when artists are pricing their work.

Proposal submissions should be sent by post or email to
Caroline Wiseman, The Art House and The Aldeburgh Beach South Lookout
31 Crag Path, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5BS. Tel: 01728 452754.

Email: caroline@carolinewiseman.com / Website: www.carolinewiseman.com

Deadline for applications 30th April 2012.

Suffolk appoints director to lead adult care improvements

Suffolk CC — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:27:26 +0100

SUFFOLK County Council has appointed a permanent director to lead service improvements and efficiency savings in its adult and community services directorate.

Anna McCreadie, who has held the post on an interim basis since April 2010 having stepped up from the position of service director, is a nurse by profession and between 2004 and 2007 was executive director and chief nurse at Waveney PCT. Prior to this she was director of nursing for Hammersmith and Fulham PCT.

It follows two full days of testing and interviews in which candidates were examined against every requirement of this challenging role.

Anna brings with her extensive experience of leading a large, demand-led, local authority department. As interim director, she has delivered over £12 million of savings and developed a sound and challenging plan to deliver a further £24 million of savings over the next two years. This has been achieved, in part, through cutting bureaucracy within the department - including a 60% reduction in the time it takes to get houses adapted for people with care needs in Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal and cutting the number of steps it takes to process an application for direct payments from 84 to just 12.

Anna said:

“I feel enormously privileged to have the opportunity to continue working with Suffolk County Council’s excellent political leaders and management team - and the dedicated and professional staff across Suffolk.

“My priorities are to continue with our programme of making adult care more personal so that people are in control of their own circumstances and lives and to continue to support the development of the sports, arts, culture and heritage sectors as a key part of sustaining well being in Suffolk.

“I recognise there is much work to be done but I’m confident that by working collaboratively with the voluntary sector, NHS and district and borough council colleagues, we’ll be able to build on the solid building blocks already in place.”

Anna takes the role on a permanent basis at a significant time for the county council. Against a backdrop of reduced government funding, inflation and increased demand for services, the council is seeking to invest more money in keeping older people healthier, happier and in their own homes for longer and, therefore, less on more costly support such as residential and dementia care.

The director will be responsible for managing the department through this period of change whilst delivering financial savings through more efficient ways of working and cutting bureaucracy – priorities set by the council’s administration.

Councillor Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for adult and community services, said:

“As interim director, Anna has shown herself to be a person who understands the complexity of the job and, more importantly, who has a real appreciation of Suffolk people’s needs for us to be there to help them in their daily lives but not take over their lives.

“I’m really pleased that she will continue her thoughtful and positive leadership of the directorate during the challenging times ahead.”

Trust makes firm commitment to fair services for all

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:22:17 +0100

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has published four equality objectives for the coming year, ahead of the government timescale of April 2012.

The Trust carried out a detailed review in autumn 2011 to find out where it could make the biggest difference in promoting a fair, personal and diverse NHS. The results of the review were published in January when the Trust asked for feedback on the findings. The publication of the four objectives is a public commitment to respond to the needs of everyone in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Robert Nesbitt, trust secretary, who leads for equality at the Trust said

“People who use our services told us that sometimes changes need to be discussed in more detail before being made. We want everyone to be able to move smoothly between parts of our service so we have made that our first objective. We also found that we did not know what people with particular needs (called protected characteristics) thought about our services so we are going to give extra attention to training for staff and to asking people in more detail what they think of our care. Staff need our support, especially when they can receive abuse at work so we’re going to redouble our efforts to protect staff from discrimination”.

The objectives have been designed to be specific and measurable so that we will know whether we are making progress.

This month has seen staff representatives at the Chapelfield shopping centre in Norwich, local libraries and at a family carer conference in Newmarket. Over the coming year the Trust will be out and about at community events including Suffolk and Norfolk LGB&T pride events, celebrating black history month, the Indian Mela in Ipswich and a transgender conference at the UEA.

Maggie Wheeler, Chair of the Trust said

“We are committed to ensuring that all those who come into contact with the Trust, both staff and service users, are treated fairly and with respect. These objectives will hold us accountable to this commitment.”

More information about the objectives can be found at www.nwmhp.nhs.uk

Stark warning over Olympic lottery scam

Kerry Burn — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:16:34 +0100

BOGUS Olympic lottery letters are being sent to unsuspecting Suffolk residents.

Suffolk Trading Standards is warning members of the public to look out for the scam letters which illegally use the Olympic and London 2012 logos and tell recipients they have won a prize of £525,000.

The letters claim that all recipients have to do is return a payment processing form, by fax, with their personal details to receive the full sum of money. However, these personal details are actually being forwarded to criminal gangs operating abroad.

Any information residents send to claim their non-existent prize is used to carry out identification theft. The letters use false names and addresses, usually of large office blocks, and ‘0207’ telephone numbers purchased to give the impression they are based in London. However, in reality, the person at the end of the phone could be anywhere in the world.

Suffolk Trading Standards is issuing the following advice and guidance:

It is unlikely that London 2012 will be asking individuals to pay for goods or services, whether directly to it or through agents, other than ticket sales and official London 2012 merchandise. Therefore such lottery letters are almost certainly going to be bogus
Bogus Olympic information will typically use poor quality reproductions of the Olympic logos
Trading Standards don’t know of any official lottery operators who ask for fees to collect winnings - any request for a fee payment is a good indication that someone is a fraud
Never respond to these lottery letters – this will only lead to further contact

County Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said;

“Sadly, in the next few months, it is very likely that Olympic related scams will be on the increase. With this in mind, it is vital that people remain extra vigilant around this time.

“Residents should not be afraid to discard of any suspicious letters. It is important to trust your instincts - if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”

If in any doubt about a London 2012 offer, residents can contact the Olympic organisers at www.london2012.com. The website also has an updated list of the latest London 2012 scams and frauds. Scams can also be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or locally to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.