Author: Julie

NEW DEAL? NEW RULES. Access free EU Business Support to make sure you’re up-to-date

Posted on by Julie

Doing business with Europe has changed. Even though a EU–UK Trade Agreement is in place, there are still important steps you might need to take to make sure your business complies with the new rules.

If your business is based in Tees Valley, then Tees Valley Business’s EU Exit Support Team is on-hand with free support to help you keep your business moving, and to support you to make the most of any new opportunities.

Keep your business moving…

It’s important to make sure you have everything covered so that your business can continue to operate without interruption.

Even if you do not trade internationally, there are still things you need to consider. For example:

  • Will your supply chain be impacted?
  • Do you employ workers from outside the UK?
  • What are the VAT implications for your business?
  • Do any Patents or Trademarks need attention?
  • How might the changes impact working online?
  • Do you travel for business?

Make the most of new opportunities…

There are also plenty of new opportunities which could support your business growth.

From tapping into new growth sectors, to accessing new international markets and securing Government grants to help meet new demand.

Access free support for your businesses…

If your business is based in Tees Valley there is funded support available through Tees Valley Business to help you navigate the changes and opportunities.

You can contact the EU Exit Support Team via a FREE 24hr helpline for a quick answer to any specific questions you might have, and to access relevant guidance and information.

If you need more intensive support the team can also arrange a 1-2-1 appointment with an EU Exit Adviser for you. A specialist adviser can run a ‘health check’ to make sure you have everything covered and put your mind at rest, or they can help you find out about additional grant support that may be available.

Call the FREE 24hr helpline now on 01642 662778, or get in touch by emailing eubusinesssupport@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk

You can also visit https://www.teesvalleybusiness.com/support-for-businesses/eu-transition/ for more information.

Charities and voluntary organisations are #NeverMoreNeeded

Posted on by Julie

Across the country charities and voluntary organisations are helping tackle coronavirus

• Providing food, medicines and essential support to isolated and vulnerable people
• Supporting children and adults with disabilities, long-term conditions and serious illnesses,
along with their families
• Working to look after people affected by difficult issues such as mental ill-health,
homelessness, debt, drug and alcohol misuse, domestic abuse and exploitation
• Keeping people safe and making sure no-one is forgotten

At the same time, due to the massive impact of the coronavirus outbreak, charities and voluntary
organisations have been hit by

• Sudden increase in demand for what they do, as part of the response to coronavirus.
• Loss of fundraising income as events and activities have been cancelled – from coffee
mornings to the London Marathon, and everything in between.
• Loss of income from charity shops, hiring our premises and providing services due to social
distancing.
• Regular donors cancelling their giving because they have had their own income cut, through
furlough or redundancy.

And all this after more than a decade of having to do more with less, following the financial crash in
2009.

People across the country are relying on charities for the essential support they provide and how
they shape our society for the better.

The #NeverMoreNeeded campaign is asking everyone to show that they understand the importance
of having thriving and sustainable charities and voluntary organisations.

Show your support by:
Adding the #NeverMoreNeeded logo to your social media profile pages – download images.
Follow the campaign on social media @NeverMoreNeeded, like, retweet and reply to us, using
#NeverMoreNeeded.
Write to your local MP about the campaign – template letter. Template-letter-for-member-of-public-to-send-to-MP
Share your story – how has a charity or voluntary organisation touched your life or your family?
What’s the difference this has made to you? View examples on resource page. Here

NeverMoreNeeded-Campaign-Pack-4

 

‘The Grinkle Monster’ comes to life in East Cleveland

Posted on by Julie

‘The Grinkle Monster’ comes to life in East Cleveland by local artist Gillian Gilmour on behalf of East Cleveland Good Neighbours

The Grinkle Monster has been entertaining the young people of East Cleveland since the beginning of the 1st lockdown 2020 and now he has his very own book to raise funds for the local community of East Cleveland.

The book brings together all the wonderful illustrations and breathes life into ‘The Grinkle Monster’ who has been visiting the rural communities in East Cleveland with tales of history and local legends.

Gillian Gilmour creator said, “The Grinkle Monster is about bringing to a younger audience a sense of pride in the rich cultural history of the area in these very difficult times”. 

Gillian lives in a small village in East Cleveland. She is an artist, teacher, and Town Councillor, who taught Art, Textiles and English for many years in a secondary school in Leeds.  Much of her artwork has been inspired by the history and heritage of this area.

Gillian is a volunteer for the local group East Cleveland Good Neighbours who have provided vital support across the 13 villages of East Cleveland. It is through East Cleveland Good Neighbours that the Grinkle Monster was born as an activity for younger members of our community. During this work, the Good Neighbours have provided timely craft packs for our children and families; each bag contained an episode of the Grinkle Monster with wonderful crafts and activities to enjoy at home.

The book brings together the first 12 episodes with fun and engaging activities to enhance the times spent together indoors. It is funded by Loftus Town Council and Tees Valley Rural Action.

Our local independent bookshop community has rallied behind the cause and you can purchase the book through click and collect or by post from the following local stores.

Chapter One, Loftus; Artcentric CIC and Book Corner, Saltburn.

All funds raised will go directly to East Cleveland Good Neighbours; an army of over 80 local resident volunteers who believe in looking after their community and raising community spirit through these difficult times.  They provide vital services and bring the rural communities of East Cleveland together, by providing healthy cooked meals to the isolated, a vital food bank for those in need, craft and activities for families and a much-needed virtual community through their Face Book group and page.

Linda White from East Cleveland Good Neighbours says “It was clear from the start of Covid that it was important to keep the community connected and engaged. It has been wonderful to watch the Grinkle Monster develop and travel throughout the year. It’s certainly been an interesting journey and amazing opportunity for families to connect and celebrate our local culture”.

Grinkle Monster Launch

 

An outbreak of Avian influenza has been confirmed among laying chickens at a farm near Redcar.

Posted on by Julie
An outbreak of Avian influenza has been confirmed among laying chickens at a farm near Redcar.
Immediate steps were taken by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and all poultry on the site will be humanely culled.
Public Health England has confirmed the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said Avian Influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and that it does not affect the consumption of poultry or eggs.
However, as a precaution, anyone who has bought eggs from a farm in the Redcar area should ensure they follow general food hygiene practices and thoroughly wash their hands after handling the eggs, and should not touch their face without doing so. Detailed advice about the safe cooking of eggs is available Here
Avian Influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is not carried in poultry.
Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises. Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
Further information about measures recently brought in by the Government to address Avian Influenza is available Here
The interactive map highlighting the Protection zone and Surveillance zone is Here

Exclusion Zone

Everyone will benefit from Census 2021

Posted on by Julie

Households across Tees Valley will be asked to take part in Census 2021 this spring.

The census, run by the Office for National Statistics, is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every ten years since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where billions of pounds of public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.

Information from the census is also important in helping lots of other people and organisations do their work.

Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It helps businesses to understand their customers and, for example, decide where to open new shops. Plus, those doing research, like university students and people looking into their family history, use census data. It provides important information on population diversity, allowing organisations to know whether they are meeting their responsibilities and triggering action where necessary.

Census 2021 will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.

“The census provides a unique snapshot of our communities,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at ONS, said. “It benefits everyone. Based on the information you give, it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GP’s and dentist’s services.

“No-one should miss out. Everyone can complete online with a new search-as-you-type ability and paper forms for those who need them.”

Census day will be on March 21, but households will soon receive letters with online codes explaining how they can take part. The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information and advice on how to answer the questions, visit census.gov.uk or contact Nick Dent, the Census Engagement Manager for Darlington and Stockton on Tees.

Engagement Leaflet English

Your-Questions-Answered-Leaflet-ENGLISH

Village Halls Week 25th – 29th January 2021 Celebrating 100 Years Together

Posted on by Julie

Village Halls Week 2021: 25 January – 29 January 2021 – Celebrating 100 Years Together

Village Halls Week is a national celebration of village halls, their volunteers, and the services they offer in their communities.

This last year has brought difficulty to everyone. We have seen rural communities pull through and support one another in every way they can, both online and in supporting neighbours as safely as possible.  This year, Village Hall Week 2021 will run from Monday 25 January – Friday 29 January and the spotlight will be on how village halls have been key in supporting their communities both during the pandemic but also in previous times of struggle.

If you would like to promote your village hall, see the tips below on how to get involved. Details of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)‘s programme are also listed:

Monday 25 January 2021

“Village halls can be found in almost every rural community across England and date back nearly 100 years.” Share your hall’s history on social media using the hashtag #villagehallsweek. You could put up old pictures or past flyers, detail significant guests, share an old film or write an article on your history.

Listen to opening speeches by Lord Gardiner, ACRE’s Executive Director Richard Quallington and their in-house expert Deborah Clarke celebrating a century of village halls. ACRE will be posting these to their social media feeds: Twitter and Facebook.

Tuesday 26 January 2021

“Village halls support a great range of activities and events which combat loneliness and support the local economy.” Use this day to shout about what you usually offer your community when not in lockdown.  Let us know what you usually provide – from fitness activities to shops, pubs, entertainment, schools and wi-fi hubs – and your plans for 2021 so that we can help spread the word.

Share stories about your hall on social media and by signing ACRE’s Doomsday Book, telling ACRE about the activities and events you host and the difference it has made to people in your community.

Wednesday 27 January 2021

“Village halls have shown great resilience in the face of Coronavirus” How have you survived the lockdowns and closures? Perhaps your hall has been saved by fundraising and the support of your community or a grant from an organisation. Share your survival stories on Wednesday 27 January using the hashtag #villagehallsweek. Why not contact your local BBC radio station to feature your story.

Join an online event hosted by ACRE and sponsored by Norris & Fisher to find out how your village hall can recover from Covid-19. Register your place

Thursday 28 January 2021

“What does the future hold for village halls?” (with a focus on environmental and energy efficiency)  We want to hear from pioneering halls. Have you got PV Panels? Do you have a vegetable garden? Do you provide electric car charging points? What does your hall do to help the community look after the environment?

Be a part of a conversation about what the future holds for village halls and join an online event hosted by ACRE sponsored by Utility Aid to find out how your village halls can contribute to a zero-carbon future. Register your place

 Friday 29 January 2021

“A review of the week and plans for the future”

Listen to a podcast sponsored by Allied Westminster with Louise Beaton OBE discussing the history of village halls. Louise is a special adviser to Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and was recently recognised in the New Year’s Honours for her long-standing dedication to village and community halls. Register your interest.

For more information about ACRE’s online events during the week, please see the ACRE webpage.

Keep a lookout on our social media channels throughout the week, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #VillageHallsWeek!

North East Forum on Ageing

Posted on by Julie

NEFA is aware that now, more than ever, it is important that the voices of organisations in the North East and the people that they represent are both listened to and acted upon.

The network already many embraces many local groups and individuals with an estimated reach of over 30,000 older people but is hoping to expand this number by welcoming others who share similar aims in order to provide a unique resource for the public, private, third and academic sectors to access the opinions, knowledge and experience of older people to bring about improvements in Health & Wellbeing.

NEFA’s Constitutional Objectives are to:

Ensure older people’s voices are heard at a local, regional and national level
Promote a positive image of older people in society
Increase confidence and knowledge of member organisations

It is free to join NEFA and the benefits include:

  1. Regular meetings with partner organisations to share good practice and ideas and shared bulletins
  2. Collaborations involving member organisations recording the views of their members and users which in turn reach wider audiences through increased social media and online coverage. (Website, Twitter, E-bulletins, Facebook and press releases).
  3. Increased possibility of future partnership funding collaborations through the network (a new funding platform is currently under review)
  4. Findings of regional consultations will have the increased strength of numbers and diversity resulting in an ability  to increase the possibility of reaching those in positions of influence

Please sign up so that organisations throughout the whole of the North East – Northumberland, Newcastle , Gateshead, South Tyneside , Sunderland, Darlington, Durham, Redcar, Cleveland and North Tyneside can work closely together to help improve lives.

If you wish to join us please visit https://nefa.org.uk/joinus/

Please find attached documents detailing the work and ethos of NEFA.

Information about NEFA NEFA-Strategic-Plan

NEFA-Strategic-Plan