Community Information
With everyone now back at school, it’s time to let you know about the TWO campaigns we are running this October. We’d love your school to be involved! It’s very easy to sign up for your free resources.
It's Walktober time again: Walking to Wellbeing in 2020 - Register below by Friday 25 September
For the fourth year running we are celebrating International Walk to School Month with Walktober!
Lockdown has shown us that exercising and spending time outside are essential for wellbeing.
Walktober is about encouraging your pupils, staff and their families to walk as much as possible during the month. Register and you will receive a pack of information containing everything you need to participate including a bespoke outdoor scavenger hunt presented as a short film by Kate at The Mind Runner for use at home or at school to get the Walktober: Walking for Wellbeing month underway.
We have some great prizes this year including Hampshire Outdoor Leader courses for staff, bespoke Mindful Movement courses for pupils and vouchers for family days out in Hampshire. Walktober is free to enter and open to all primary and secondary schools. Please use this link to register your school. Deadline for registration is Friday 25 September.
For more information, please visit our website.
Clean Air Day - Thursday 8 October
(Register below by Wednesday 7 October)
Unusually this year, during October, as well as Walktober, we will also be promoting Walk to School Week (5 - 9 October) and Clean Air Day (8 October), both delayed due to Covid-19.
All our Clean Air Day 2020 resources can be downloaded for free from our website, featuring easy and safe ways to make the air cleaner around your school.
Pupil pack and poster competition: Our resource packs include links to Clean Air Day PowerPoint presentations for use in class. They also include a poster competition linked to this year's key messages for all pupils to participate in. Please share with your pupils and their families.
Schools' competition: For your school's chance to win a handheld air pollution monitor called a Flow Meter, register here and let us know about any Clean Air Day activities and campaigns that you plan to run this term and give us a reason to pick your school as the winner. Deadline for registering is Wednesday 7 October.
Shirley Junior School completes first week of School Streets
Congratulations to Shirley Junior School, which last week became the third school in Southampton to introduce a temporary road closure outside its gates at drop off and pick up times. The 'School Streets' scheme is being trialled by the school in partnership with Southampton City Council and Sustrans to provide additional space for social distancing, encourage more families to travel actively to school and create a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment.
The first week went very smoothly and the scheme has excellent support from staff and families, with some parents already volunteering to help out with manning the closures. There has also been positive feedback from local residents as well as the school community.
It's been really lovely to see children and families happy and calm on their newly car-free school run. A big well done to the school and everyone involved in successfully bringing this scheme to another school in our city. If you're interested in running your own School Streets scheme, get in touch with us here.
Dates for your diary
- Sustrans' Bike to School Week (28 September - 2 October)
- Walktober (Walk to School Month, during October)
- Walk to School Week (5 - 9 October)
- Clean Air Day - (Thursday 8 October)
- Modehsift STARS autumn submissions (31 December)
Virtual Employability Course - October 2020
Are you looking for work in Southampton? Maybe you've been out of work for a while or are thinking about getting a new job after a long time? Or are you thinking about applying for your first job and don't know where to begin?
We are running a free online Employability Course for people who want to develop their employability skills and start preparing to look for work. The course will be delivered online via Zoom, and you will receive resources and a certificate of completion by email after the course.
Dates and times:
- Wednesday 7th October 10am-11:30am
- Thursday 8th October 10am-11:30am
- Friday 9th October 10am-11:30am
The course is free for anyone aged 19+ and living in or around Southampton.
After the course, you will also have the opportunity to receive ongoing support from our other Employment Support Team projects, which are currently being delivered virtually.
Over the 3 sessions, the course will aim to:
- Improve confidence and motivation
- Support with CV writing
- Teach job application tips and tricks
- Develop interview techniques
- Help you plan to move into paid work, volunteering or education
If you're interested in signing up to the course, please email us or call 07811 165534.
Free support for council tenants looking for work
Did you know, if you live in a Southampton City Council property, you can get support from our T.E.E.M project with finding work or becoming self-employed?
Our dedicated team of Employment Officers will work with you on a 1 to 1 basis and support you with things like:
- Job searching
- Application forms
- CVs and Cover Letters
- Advice and signposting around furlough and returning to work
- Signposting to specialist services
- Building confidence
- Gaining work experience and developing skills
T.E.E.M also run a virtual work club on Zoom every Thursday between 3pm and 5pm where you can drop in and get advice and support. To join the virtual work club, you don’t need to have a Zoom account; all you need to do is click this link and enter the password: 356055
To find out more about T.E.E.M, please email Francesca or call 07811 165129
Not a council tenant? Don't worry, we've got lots of projects that can help you find work. Find out more
Solent Employment Support
Solent Employment Support (S.E.S) is our supported employment project that aims to help people with health conditions to achieve their employment goals. We provide tailored support including advice on housing, healthcare and social services to support you to get and keep a job. We also support clients to access training opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. S.E.S supports individuals in a person-centred way with CV writing, job applications, interview advice and any other employment related activities.
Who can get support from S.E.S?
Anyone with a recognised health condition who is unemployed (including recently unemployed), eligible to receive public funds and has the right to live and work in the UK.
What areas does S.E.S cover?
We are currently offering virtual support by phone, email or video call. If you live in Southampton, the Waterside area, Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, the Isle of Wight, Eastleigh or the surrounding areas, you'll be able to get support.
What support does S.E.S offer?
- Pre-employment support and help developing skills
- Accessing volunteering and work placements
- Impartial Information, Advice and Guidance around employment goals through 1 to 1 support and individualised support plans
- Ongoing support in the workplace if required
How can I get support from S.E.S?
Email Francesca to find out how we can help, or call 07811 165129.
Find out more on Access Southampton
T Levels Launch
We’re pleased to share the news that T Levels have now started. Students at selected colleges and schools across England are now beginning their two-year, post-GCSE courses in Digital, Construction and Design or Education and Childcare. These are just the start of the 24 T Levels that will roll out over the coming years in subjects as diverse as accounting and digital to engineering and healthcare.
Designed by employers for employers, T Levels are robust qualifications that combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement so that graduates emerge with the knowledge and practical skills that businesses need plus real experience of being in the workplace. They are based on the world’s best technical education systems to address the skills gap and build a workforce fit for whatever the future brings.
With 1 T Level being equivalent to 3 A Levels, T Level graduates will have opportunities to move straight into work, to further study or an apprenticeship. Find out more about T Levels at www.tlevels.gov.uk
Using Social Media to look for work
Social Media is a great resource for keeping in touch and staying up to date. But it can also be a useful tool when looking for work.
Many people used apps like LinkedIn to look for work and network with employers. If you use LinkedIn, make sure your profile is up to date and professional. Interact with people and share your professional interests to get noticed.
Facebook is another great platform to look for jobs. Many companies, especially smaller businesses, will often advertise vacancies on their Facebook pages, so have a think about companies you'd like to work for and keep an eye on their page. There are also lots of groups set up where employers can advertise their vacancies, so have a look at what groups are in your local area. Remember though, if you're using Facebook to look for work, make sure there's nothing embarrassing on your profile that you wouldn't want an employer to see, and remember to never share personal information about you with strangers online.
If you're a Twitter user, follow companies you're interested in - some companies might also have careers or jobs accounts that are separate from their main account. #SotonJobs Hour takes place on Twitter every Thursday between 1pm and 2pm where job vacancies are shared by employers and Southampton Jobcentre. You can also follow @sotoncareers and @JCPinHants_IOW for the latest job vacancies and advice.
Top tips for using social media to find your next job:
- Make sure your profile is professional and private
- Never share personal information or bank details on social media - always ask for an official business email address
- Look out for scams. Safer Jobs has some useful articles to help you stay alert
Get more information and tips for looking for work on Access Southampton
Celebrating 30 years in October...
October 2020 marks 30 years since we first started supporting people in Southampton back in 1990. Since then, we've helped thousands of people to find employment, training and volunteering in the city. Next month we'll be celebrating the work we've done as well as sharing our plans for the future, so make sure you're following us on social media for the latest updates!
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Opening tomorrow - A Mile in My Shoes at Westquay 
A Mile in My Shoes at Westquay, is an innovative artistic experience, where visitors are invited to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and listen to the that persons fascinating story. The stories cover different aspects of life, exploring themes of shared humanity, from grief and loss to love and joy, so visitors take an empathetic as well as a physical journey. It also includes 8 new stories from Southampton – including a Paralympian, Prof. Tom Wilkinson who is leading the Covid drug trials, and Lou Taylor from Black History Month. Find more information about the Southampton participants in whose shoes you can walk here. Make sure you Book your tickets here. A Mile in My Shoes will be at Westquay on the Esplanade from 12 to 20 September 2020 as part of Southampton’s Mayflower 400 anniversary programme. Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America at SeaCity Museum 
Discover the story behind this newly-crafted wampum belt created by the Wampanoag people of the Mashpee and Aquinnah nations at SeaCity Museum. Make sure you book your tickets here before visiting the museum. This is the first time the belt has been displayed in the UK. Through this nationally-touring exhibition, commissioned by The Box, Plymouth, Wampanoag artists share their story with images, ideas and wampum - the sacred shells of Native America. They explore the history, art and culture of the Native Americans who met the passengers of the Mayflower when they arrived in North America. Watch the opening video of Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America here. Discover more about this powerful exhibition, the making of the belt and its significance to the Wampanoag people in a series of short films here. 
Explore the world of art with Ali Eales! Packed with drawing challenges, games and projects, this fun and accessible online course spans cave painting and contemporary art, with plenty in between! Ali’s Autumn Art Club is for 7-11yrs, running Wednesday's, 4.30pm, for six weeks. Tickets cost £7.50 per household. 16 Sept: Wild Beasts and Little Monsters - Meet the Fauves 23 Sept: Van Gogh's Sunflowers 7 Oct: Autumn Impressionism 14 Oct: Portraits - From Cave Paintings to Kings and Queens 21 Oct: Cartoons and Comic Books - From Lichtenstein to Marvel Tales from Tudor SouthamptonExplore the dark and dangerous world of Southampton in the sixteenth century - a time of privateers, plague, war and famine! Southampton's archaeology and archives team present an incredible picture of what life was like in the town at that time, in this fun and engaging talk suitable for all. Thurs 17 Sept, 7pm, Tickets from £3.50 - Book online ticket Street Art: Art in Public but not Public ArtIn the year Southampton boasts its own Banksy, Ali Eales explores the phenomenon of street art in all its forms. Thurs 24 Sept, 7pm, Tickets from £3.50 - Book online ticket |
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Cycle September has officially started! Sign up to discover the benefits of cycling and you could even win some amazing prizes including bikes, accessories, vouchers and more.
Taking part is easy: ride anytime, anywhere for just 10 minutes or more and log your rides on the Love to Ride platform to be entered into the prize draws. You can even register your workplace as a team and compete against other organisations in a bid to win prizes for you and your colleagues. Get as many people involved as possible and keep encouraging each other to earn points and climb higher up the leader boards.
This is Cycle September's third year in Southampton and, with even more people cycling at the moment, we're determined to make this year's challenge bigger and better than ever before!
To find out more and get started, visit the Love to Ride website.
Events throughout September
Want to take part in Cycle September but your bike needs a check over? Maybe you're looking for some support to help you develop your cycling skills? From Bike Doctors and repair workshops to guided rides, there are lots of free local events taking place throughout the month to help get you and your bike ready to take on the challenge of Cycle September. Click here to find out more.
Pop-up cycle lanes
Over the past few months, we've seen an increase in the number of people cycling in Southampton. With more people now starting to travel again, we want to make sure this continues.
As part of plans to support social distancing and active travel, Southampton City Council is now trialling the following 'pop-up' cycle lanes to help people cycle with greater ease while keeping a safe distance from people walking.
You can find out more about all of the above schemes, including how to comment on the changes, over on our website.
New Norm, New Life, New You
One of the key positives to emerge from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic is an increase in people getting outdoors and being more active.
More and more of you have been enjoying the benefits of getting around on foot or by bike for essential journeys and as part of your daily exercise or just for fun.
As we start getting back to work and school, why not keep this healthier way of life going and continue the journey towards a healthier, happier future for everybody?
We are here to help you plan your route, plan your travel and provide you with great tips on how to keep active and stay safe!
Visit our website to find out more.
Get #PumpedUpToCycle
Following a recent resurgence in cycling across the country, Cycling UK has launched its Pumped Up campaign to inspire even more people to enjoy the thrill and freedom of riding a bike.
The organisation is now looking to recruit members of an all-new Pumped Up crew to help support the campaign. Depending on your availability, there are three ways you can get involved:
- Promote - use your own social media channels to spread the word about Pumped Up and celebrate the joys of cycling
- Pedal - organise rides or take family and friends out on their bikes
- Partner - volunteer as a Pumped Up Partner, researching cycle provision in your area and signposting local people to sources of support that will help them to build their cycling confidence
These are volunteer led initiatives and are independent of the My Journey programme. For details of other formal cycling support services available through the My Journey programme, including professional cycle training, please visit our website.
The Pumped Up campaign is also calling on everyone to get out on their bikes and log their rides on the Cycling UK website as part of the World's Biggest Bike Ride on Saturday 12 September. Do your bit by joining in the fun and why not also log your rides on that day on the Love to Ride website too for extra Cycle September points?
To find out more about the Pumped Up campaign and the many more resources available, visit the Cycling UK website here.
The Event
‘Youth Ambassador’
Wednesday 7th October at 6pm
Virtual platform- ZOOM
Tickets are available on eventbrite.co.uk- search ‘Youth Ambassador’
Parents/carers will need to buy a FREE ticket and complete a short survey
Becoming a COVID-19 Community Champion
To support the communities in which we live, work and learn, we’re looking for COVID-19 Community Champions to work with our Public Health and Stronger Communities Teams to share messages about how to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a COVID-19 Community Champion, you will be given the information you need through regular briefings and other channels to raise awareness and help people make informed choices.
Anyone can join. You’ll be a voice for those around you, your household, school, work, club, group of friends, your local communities, or even make sense of the latest facts for yourself.
To sign up as a champion, please complete the registration form
In the mean time you can view a video on the scheme involving the Director of Public Health Debbie Chase at https://www.southampton.gov.uk/communitychampions
Following a recent emollients safety campaign by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS) has put together a webpage and bulletin to raise awareness of the fire risks that can be posed from using emollient creams.
Please be aware that there has not been any fire related deaths in the Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and IOW area involving emollient creams however this publication is being shared to increase knowledge of all agencies and professionals who work with people who use emollient creams, and highlight potential fire risks when using them.
The advice and information can be seen on the attached publication or accessed on the Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service Emollient Creams Webpage, which can be accessed here - https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/keeping-safe/loveyourhome/firehazards/emollients-safety/.
https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/school-zone-src
We like many other providers of PE & Sport Services were relieved at the Governments announcement last week to renew the PE & Sport Premium for the 2020-21 Academic Year.
With just a week or so to go until the end of this Academic Year we still have some availability remaining to work regularly with Schools from September onwards. We also have a great offer that we think Schools will really appreciate. You can find more info about this below…
ACE Sports & Education is a small, locally run Business that provides Infant, Primary, Junior & Independent Schools with excellent and high quality PE & Sport Services.
We are passionate in delivering our PE & Sport Programmes to Children and School Staff and our aim is to provide Schools with the very best provision through engaging & high quality PE Lessons, After School Clubs, Lunchtime Clubs, Staff CPD & PPA Cover. We want to inspire Children to learn through Sport & Physical Education and to leave a positive impact on every person, everywhere we work.
We are looking to work regularly with a couple of new Schools from the New Academic Year onwards and are excited to offer new Schools the following offer…
FREE PE & SPORT LESSONS
We are offering the first 4 weeks of Lessons totally FREE from the start of next term!
This can include any PE Lessons, Staff CPD Lessons, PPA Lessons and School Funded Clubs.
We believe that allowing Children to be active and learning through Physical Education and Sport will be more important than ever in the coming months and what better way to do it than using our expert services!
An example of our Offer… A School signs up for an Academic Year of PPA Lessons & a Lunchtime Club every Thursday afternoon beginning in September. All lessons in the the first 4 weeks will be completely FREE effectively giving Schools a month of free provision.
It's a great way to see what we can offer and find out why so many local Schools love using our services.
This offer is available to any School we have yet to work with!
WHAT WE OFFER
For more information on our Services CLICK HERE and scroll through the “Schools” section of our website.
SCHOOLS WE WORK WITH
We already work with a number of Schools who would only be too happy to recommend us. These include Chandlers Ford Infant School, Merdon Junior School, Bartley Junior School, Sherborne House School, Glenfield Infant School, Netley Marsh Infant School, St Michaels & All Angels Infant School & Copythorne Infant School.
OUR STAFF
Our Lead PE Staff (Charlie & Jack) are all PESS Level 5 & 3 Qualified and hold a number of Sports Specific Qualifications.
We have many years experience in Teaching PE Lessons, Working alongside Teachers and running Sports Clubs.
You can find out more about our Staff HERE
Southampton City Libraries offering select and collect service
From this week, Southampton City Libraries are now offering a select and collect service. All Council run libraries will initially be open for limited hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12.30pm & 2pm to 4.30pm (with the exception of Lordshill which will open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) for this collection service. Customers will be able to reserve items online at www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries or via telephone on 023 8083 3007. Items will be prepared for collection and made available on dedicated shelves. All 6 council run libraries are accepting returns via collection bins located outside, though operating hours for this vary dependant on each library. No overdue fees will be charged until 6 September 2020.
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