Harlow and District Chamber of Commerce

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Tue,21Sep2021

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Latest News Articles - Please take a read and pass on if you wish..

This week we have the following for you...

Family Activity Sessions
How can digital save the high street?
Contact Tracing
ECC Survey
Funding
St Clare Hospice
Health Help Now

The People's Picture Harlow & Gilston Garden Town
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Coronavirus Update
Public Liability Insurance
The Prince's Trust
VCSE Sector Survey
Contacts at Rainbow Services

Harlow Rugby Club are pleased to be offering FREE activity sessions for the whole family to enjoy together. Complete a short survey to tell us what you would like to see at these sessions.

The DIZ is holding a webinar on 'How can digital save the high street?'
At a time where our high streets are facing unprecedented challenges we will take a look at how digital can help support the traditional high streets to make the most of online opportunities, maximise engagement through social media and drive footfall by giving shoppers the confidence to return.
Date: Friday 16^th October 2020
Time: 11am

This webinar is free to attend and we’d love you to join if possible!

As you may well have seen in the news, the Government’s new Contact Tracing app launched on the 24th September. The app, once downloaded and activated on your smartphone, will log when you are in close proximity to other people and, in the event they test positive for Covid-19, alert you.The public can also check in to public locations by scanning a QR code which organisations can display close to the entrance.

It’s important to note that the app doesn’t collect personal data, and no-one can see where you’ve been or what you’ve been up to. It does not track you or check if you have been self-isolating.Also, your organisation may be required by law to display QR code posters where you are open and accessible to the public so people can check in as having been present. This is a legal requirement if you run a café or a sports facility or civic building, such as a village hall or community centre.

Essex County Council (ECC) and partners want to understand what people’s experiences during Covid-19 has been like over the last few months. The responses you share will help us understand what is important to you and to inform work we do across Adult Social Care (ASC) in future.

The survey is aimed at:

People aged 18 and over who receive a service from Social Care including the Young People with Disabilities Team
Self-funders
People who accessed the Essex Wellbeing Service,
And informal and family Carers.

Ford Britain Trust pays special attention to projects focusing on education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities close to their UK locations. The Ford Britain Trust particularly encourages applications supported by Ford employees, but is open to all, provided that the qualifying organisations meet the selection criteria.

The current round of the Aviva Community Fund is closing soon, and Aviva are especially keen to attract applications focusing on:

Climate/environmental issues
Financial resilience and inclusion
Using innovation to bring about change and build communities

St Clare Hospice is holding two virtual Open Hospice events, on 6^th and 7^th October, as part of national Hospice Care Week. You are invited to attend to hear about how they have navigated the pandemic, what services may benefit your communities and clients, and how to get involved.
Register for the event on Tuesday 6^th October, at 7pm: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-hospice-tickets-121649363521
Register for the event on Wednesday 7^th October at 2pm: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-hospice-tickets-121650835925

Over the last few years the Health help Now app has been a great resource for people in west Essex in need of medical advice and support.
However, as technology has evolved, so must we. From 1 October, Health help Now will no longer be available for west Essex residents to download and access.

The best way to get health advice is by visiting NHS111 online. Alternatively you can call 111 if you do not have internet access. For urgent medical advice call 999.

You can now delete the Health help Now app from your phone

The People’s Picture is a photography and design studio from British artist Helen Marshall. Every artwork is made up of thousands of photos yet every single one tells a story. We are proud to be part of a new public arts commission, working with partner Well North Enterprises, to engage with the communities of Harlow and Gilston to help realise their “healthy town” vision.

Jill and Ruth from the comms and engagement team at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAHT) need your help. As part of the trust's plans to build a brand new hospital on a greenfield site by 2025, they are undertaking an ambitious engagement plan to make sure they effectively reach everyone who uses, visits or works at the hospital.

At our Voluntary Sector Forum on 23 September, Jill and Ruth presented an update and prompted a discussion on how we can work collaboratively with the hospital team to make sure all our communities feel involved in the design and progress of the new hospital, especially our hard to reach and vulnerable groups.

The PAHT team would like to know:

whether you'd be happy to receive ready-to-use slide decks from time to time so that you could facilitate short, focused engagement with your community groups on their behalf
whether you have existing comms channels (eg social media, newsletters, forums, virtual meetings) that would be happy to receive updates on the new hospital progress
whether there are any particular issues you can foresee from within your community groups so they can plan targeted engagement to help address those concerns and opportunities
any other ideas you have to make sure the comms and engagement is regular, effective and inclusive!

Please feel free to contact Jill or Ruth directly:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can also follow the progress on the hospital microsite and social media:
https://www.pah.nhs.uk/newhospital
facebook: @NHSHarlow
twitter: @NHSHarlow

An update from Essex County Council.

Would your organisation be interested in taking part in a webinar about public liability insurance?Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register your interest.

The Prince’s Trust are still offering Development Awards to young people looking for a one off grant to help towards equipment, travel, course fees, work clothing and lots of other things related to getting back into education, training or employment. These grants are available for young people aged 16-30.
Contact Claire for more information: Direct Line 01268 568590 Mobile 07984 005934

A survey for local voluntary and community groups to share the affect of Covid-19 on their organisation.

Rainbow Services provides infrastructure support to local voluntary and community groups, holding regular meetings and publishing a weekly e-bulletin.

Voluntary Sector Forum
Road Safety Survey
Free Parent Course
My Support Space
Funding
New Hospital Website
Reimaging Help Guide
Compassionate Neighbours

Essex Community Foundation
Voluntary Sector Training
Changing Lives
Essex & Herts Digital Innovation Zone
VCSE Sector Survey
Roots Pod Academy
Contacts at Rainbow Services

Voluntary Sector Forum

The next meeting of the Voluntary Sector Forum is on the 23rd September via Zoom at 10am. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8349373746?pwd=ejF4dzhtT05qTGxKTWU4TDFmSFJVZz09

Road Safety Survey

The Government is currently reviewing roads policing, and what the future of traffic law enforcement may look like. You are invited to complete this short survey to help inform the Police and Crime Commissioner’s response to Government.

Free Parent Course

A new course for parents on Challenging Behaviour.
This will be a six week course for 1 hour and will be delivered online via zoom. Times are yet to be confirmed but the course starts on the 28th September. Please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

My Support Space

Victim Support have launched a new online support resource called ‘My Support Space’ for anyone affected by crime in England and Wales.

Funding

Here to Help seeks to raise awareness of the help grant-giving charities could provide to those struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and additionally raise awareness of the work of this often lesser-known part of the charity sector.

The Public Health Community Grant Fund offers funding of up to £3000 for health and wellbeing projects. The grant is open to community, voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services to the residents of Harlow.

New Hospital Website

The website for the new hospital, the site contains information about the planning and progress of the new hospital project.

Reimagining Help Guide

An evidenced-based approach to helping people reach their goals.

Compassionate Neighbours

Join St Clare as a Compassionate Neighbour and help change lives.

Essex Community Foundation

Essex Community Foundation is seeking new trustees to join their Board. As a charity for Essex, they would like to hear from people who live and/or work locally and are particularly interested in applications from people living in the south or west of the county. They would like to ensure that their Board reflects the diversity of those who form the communities that they support so particularly welcome interest and applications from people of colour, people under 40 years of age, and LGBT+ people. You do not need previous experience as a trustee.

Voluntary Sector Training

The latest online training from Voluntary Sector Training.

Changing Lives

Early Intervention Activity Project every Tuesday and Thursday until half term.

Essex & Herts Digital Innovation Zone

Essex + Herts Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) has, following a public vote, received national recognition as one of the Top 3 Cross-Sector Digital Collaborations in the Digital Leaders DL100 2020 list. The DIZ had previously been announced as one of the ten finalists in the category. The final category winner will now be determined following a final round of judging and announced on 15th October as part of the Digital Leaders DL Week.

VCSE Sector Survey

A survey for local voluntary and community groups to share the affect of Covid-19 on their organisation.

Roots Pod Academy

Roots Pod Academy work with young people through business start-up workshops and they are looking for professional mentors to:

Have a one-off call to answer questions about your own career journey and your profession.
Offer 1-2 weeks of work experience, or
Facilitate a 45-minutes workshop.

Useful links

Princess Alexandra Hospital has launched a new microsite where you can see all the latest information on plans for Harlow’s new hospital.

Essex County Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to launch a coronavirus test and trace system. This system will be part of the national NHS system and will be used to monitor complex cases such as workplaces, schools and care homes.

Essex County Council you can use the Essex County Council COVID-19 tracker tool to find out how many coronavirus cases there are in your local area.

Mind in West Essex are running a free anxiety course specific to COVID-19 to help build resilience during difficult times. Mind are also offering six free counselling sessions to anyone financially impacted by Covid-19.

Rainbow Services an award-winning charity based in West Essex whose mission is to work for change to alleviate the effects of disadvantage, deprivation and social exclusion.

Family Fun Activity

Harlow Rugby Club are pleased to be offering free activity sessions for the whole family to enjoy together. Active Essex and Rainbow Services would like to hear your views on when these sessions should take place. Please complete this short survey, link below.

An Active Essex

The purpose of this publication is to provide a position statement about the increased importance of physical activity since the Covid-19 pandemic, and to continue the conversations across Greater Essex about what the main priorities are for the future, and where resources are most needed.

Virtual Workshops

Reconnecting with the Office. A workshop to prepare you for the return to office working and addressing healthy routines and coping strategies.15th September 10am-12pm
24th September 2-4pmTo book email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Uniquely You. A workshop to help you make the most of your working relationships.22nd September 10am-12pmTo book email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Funding

The LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Fund is funded by Comic Relief, and METRO is the lead intermediary partner distributing these funds to the sector. The Fund is for LGBTQ+ community-led organisations and groups to support their vital role in supporting LGBTQ+ communities through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

GSK’s IMPACT Awards reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Organisations must be at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with income between £80,000 and £2.5 million.

Mothers and babies will benefit from a new multi-million pound fund to give people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) or poorer backgrounds the best chance at a healthy start in life.

Charity Commission

The Charity Commission has launched its new online register of charities, which includes more details with the aim of increasing transparency.

The Enterprise Wing

The Enterprise Wing is a seven week business development programme for young women, offering start-up advice, positive mentoring, and access to the tools and the right people to enable a successful business launch.

Participants will be helped to establish their initial business idea, understand customers and how to reach them, and how to pitch.

WHEN: Thursday 24th September - Thursday 5th November @ 17:00
WHERE: Online through MS Teams
COST: Free
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Women aged 16-25, NEET/at risk of exclusion based in London, East Herts and West Essex

Covid-19 testing

Please see below information from West Essex CCG on booking a Covid-19 test.

Coronavirus Outbreak FAQ's

From Monday 14^th September the rules on social gatherings change. Please check the FAQ's link below, as it will be illegal in certain circumstances to have gatherings of more than 6 people – but there are exceptions to this.

Virtual Workshops

Virtual Workshops

Reconnecting with the Office. A workshop to prepare you for the return to office working and addressing healthy routines and coping strategies.15th September 10am-12pm
24th September 2-4pmTo book email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Uniquely You. A workshop to help you make the most of your working relationships.08th September 2-4pm
22nd September 10am-12pmTo book email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Funding

Funding

The Masonic Foundation Later Life grants are open as well as the Children and Young People stream of funding.

Money Saving Expert Charity is offering grants to provide financial skills to young people under the age of 25.

Independent Age are offering grants to smaller charities supporting older people hardest hit by the Coronavirus.

Pets' Corner in top 10% of attractions worldwide according to TripAdvisor

News from Harlow Council: Pets' Corner in top 10% of attractions worldwide according to TripAdvisor

Popular Harlow attraction Pets' Corner has been recognised as one of the best in the world according to website TripAdvisor.

Each year, TripAdvisor assesses reviews, ratings and saves from site users across the globe and awards the very best places based on what people think of them.

With 295 reviews, 276 of them rating Pets' Corner as Excellent or Very Good, and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, the review site has awarded the facility with a Travellers' Choice award - placing it in the top 10% places to visit worldwide.

This is a major accomplishment for the Harlow Council-run service, which is also a registered zoo, and is a testament to the hard work that the staff and volunteers put in each and every day to make it such a great place for families to visit.

Councillor Chris Vince, Porfolio Holder for Community and Wellbeing, said:

"It makes us all immensely proud to see Pets' Corner being recognised as one of the top 10% places in the world to visit. We've always known how popular Pets' Corner is with people and this award just goes to prove it.

“My congratulations go to the staff and volunteers, without whom this fantastic award wouldn't have been possible."

Pets’ Corner has recently reopened with a new booking system in place. Please visit https://playhouseharlow.ticketsolve.com/shows to book.

See, Hear, Respond Support Hub

download 1

Welcome to your hub!

We're living in extraordinary times right now, and it can sometimes feel or be overwhelming. There is an exhaustive amount of information available about Coronavirus, and it can be hard to know where to start, and that’s why we have created this space. It’s a central place for you to explore, where you can find information, resources & tools - from practical advice on how to talk to your children about the pandemic, to tips on managing anxiety and much more.

See, Hear, Respond is a coalition of charities, led by Barnardo’s, providing services to children across England offering support for children and families who have been the most impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Any child or young person who is not already receiving support from a Statutory Agency can be referred and be offered support

Hearing Help Essex

Hearing Help Essex
Chief Executive Officer (maternity cover)

Supporting the successful integration of migrants, refugees and BME community members in Essex and Hertfordshire

Large ISS Logo Transparent.png

Integration Support Services
Chief Executive Officer/Operations Manager
Senior Support worker/OISC Immigration Advisor
Volunteer/School Coordinator

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