Community Information
Housing Benefit payments for 2 to 5 April 2021Housing Benefit payments for the 2021 Easter bank holiday period are detailed below. If you receive your payment by cheque, please allow extra time for any postal delays. The normal payment cycle will start again from 5 April 2021. Weekly paymentsPayments sent 30 March 2021 will arrive in accounts by 1 April 2021 (paying claims up to 5 April 2021). Fortnightly paymentsPayments sent 30 March 2021 will arrive in accounts by 1 April 2021 (paying claims up to 5 April 2021). Monthly paymentsPayments sent 30 March 2021 will arrive in accounts by 1 April 2021 (paying claims up to 5 April 2021). Urgent paymentsPayments sent 1 April 2021 will arrive in accounts by 7 April 2021. Council tenant paymentsWill run as normal and show in accounts by 5 April 2021. If you have any questions, please contact us on: 023 8083 3009 or email Benefits.services@southamopton.gov.uk Take #TheFirstStep towards getting debt help![]() This week (22-28 March) is Debt Awareness Week. Dealing with debt can be confusing and scary for many. There are hundreds of reasons why people put off getting debt advice – some fear they’ll be judged, others bury their head in the sand and hope things will improve, and many simply aren’t aware that free, impartial debt advice is available. StepChange Debt Charity estimates that the average person waits 12 months between realising they’re in financial trouble and getting debt advice for the first time, during which their situation can get even worse. If you are dealing with debt, help is available from national organisations including Step Change website, Citizens Advice and local debt advice services. Single parents groupUnited Parents (UP) is a fun and encouraging group for single parents to find support and friendship. Everyone welcome! The group normally meets on Friday mornings during term time, for tea, coffee, cake and various activities. For the time being though we are meeting virtually via the Zoom app. You can easily download it for free on your phone or pc and we can help you with this if you wish. WHEN? Every Friday morning from 9.30 to 11.00 To join us: either send us an email at unitedparents@hotmail.com or message us on www.facebook.com/united.parents.southampton To book a place on a course or to find out more information, please contact us:023 8021 6003 Southampton Family Trust Southampton City Council has produced a number of COVID-19 translated videos that have been completed for the Vaccine and Test and Trace have been uploaded to YouTube and are ready for you to access and share through your channels and networks. These have been produced by a local Community Enterprise (Drop the Mask) and hopefully will assist in our efforts to ensure we maximise the positive messaging about vaccines.
Vaccinations https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqADc3oBwffwshc8HnCXpkchmcD1LzIH
Test and Trace https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqADc3oBwffPHiQ-f-gsZN-6sSFfBiHJ
Hands, Face, Space https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqADc3oBwfeTuJkHy0EuqCFftxaNPXhj
Symptoms https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqADc3oBwfeo0zT8oueHu2GyQovciDdt
Covid-19 Community Champions https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqADc3oBwfcltFhEYF0IRJCtl9kC1gK2
An Hour to Skill Initiative We've joined the 'An Hour to Skill' campaign to help boost the skills and job prospects of the nation. Open to everyone, the aim is to inspire people to set aside one hour a week for free online learning. tinyurl.com/vhy4xhwa
Personal and Professional Development Training Our personal development catalogue can help create a flourishing workplace with time management, communication, presentation skills and more tinyurl.com/55zt6v6v
FREE: Mental Health and Wellbeing Resource Pack Our mental health pack helped a lot of people during difficult times in 2020 and remains free for all. tinyurl.com/6k6esuwq
FREE: Work-Life Balance Assessment The continuation of home working for many of us means a healthy work-life balance can be difficult to maintain. Our free tool helps you understand your balance. tinyurl.com/16ufvupd
Community Support during Lockdown
If you need support perhaps collecting Prescriptions, Shopping, getting to Medical Appointments, you can go to the website below:
https://www.solinked.org.uk/
Be aware of COVID-19 scams ![]() Action Fraud is raising awareness of another coronavirus vaccine scam, after receiving a large number of reports relating to a phishing email on Monday 25 January. Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. If you receive an email, text message or phone call appearing to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, or to pay for the vaccine, this is a scam! If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge. Read the full story. Do you have questions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine? ![]() Are you worried about whether the vaccine is safe, or if there are any potential side effects? Maybe you would like to know whether the vaccine contains animal products? There is a lot of misinformation being shared on social media that is not true and you should not believe everything that you read or hear. It is important that people have access to trusted sources that will reassure that the vaccine is safe and will protect you and your loved ones. Having the vaccine will help stop the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and protect the NHS and our local health and social care services. Find out how safe the COVID-19 vaccine is by listening to the important messages shared in this video: If You Could Save Someone’s Life. Find out more about the vaccine programme in Hampshire and Isle of Wight by taking a look at the frequently asked questions.
Virtual Employability Training![]() We’re 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 completion certificate through email. Dates and times (you must be able to attend all 3 sessions):
The course is free for anyone aged 19+ and living in or around Southampton. The aim of this course is to improve your confidence around getting a job and develop your employability skills. This course acts as an introduction to employability, or to refresh existing knowledge for people who have been out of work or are looking to change their career. The course is fun and relaxed and acts as a stepping stone to accredited employability courses. Over the 3 sessions, the course will aim to:
To join this course, please email Dan or call 07811 165534.
Although our venues are currently closed, there are still lots of online resources, activities, talks, videos and more to keep us all going during this third national lockdown. Check out some ideas below and follow our venue social media pages for even more fun and educational ideas, quizzes and more. Free educational activity packs ![]() If you’re back to home schooling and need some ideas to keep the kids busy, we have some fantastic free educational activity packs which you can find on our venue websites below:
Check out lots of fascinating short history and art videos from our Cultural Services Learning Team on their YouTube Channel. Join Learning Officer Bea at SeaCity Museum in the below video, as she investigates how ways of communicating have changed over the past 2,000 years. ![]() ![]() Explore the weird and wonderful world of art with artist Ali Eales through drawing challenges, games and projects! Tickets are required for each device being used to access the event, although we are very happy for more than one child to participate on each device. Session are each Wednesday / 4:30pm / Book individual sessions here 13 Jan – Anthony Gormley and I 20 Jan – Capturing the Ghosts of Tudor House: Illustrating people from Southampton's past 27 Jan – Barry Flanagan: When Art Bunnies ATTACK! 3 Feb – Neo-Pop: Mundane Magnificence and the art of Michael Craig-Martin 10 Feb – Behind the Mask: Explore the significance of masks in art and make your own In conversation with artist David Ward ![]() Thursday 14 January / 7:00pm / Online talk Join artist David Ward as he discusses his work with Stephen Foster, curator of our latest exhibition Shadows and Light. This online 'in conversation' event will last approximately an hour. Pioneering women artist talk series ![]() Join artist Abi Kremer in a series of talks exploring the work of three pioneering artists represented in Southampton City Art Gallery's Collection: Eileen Agar, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and Bridget Riley. Get 20% off if you book all three. Or book session individually below. Eileen Agar - Wednesday 13 January / 7:00pm / Online talk Quarantine in Tudor Southampton ![]() Tuesday 26 January / 7:00pm / Online talk Join this gruesome online history talk with Dr Cheryl Butler, where the plague, pox and the sweating sickness were just some of the epidemics that swept into Tudor Southampton. With limited knowledge on infections, the spread of disease and the cause of pandemics how did our Tudor ancestors cope? Impressionism and the impressionists: A whistle-stop tour ![]() Tuesday 2nd February / 7:00pm / Online talk Join artist and art historian Ali Eales to explore this compelling and ever popular genre.
How to avoid getting cash strapped in 2021 TENANTS' LINK01.01.21 How to avoid getting cash strapped in 2021COVID-19 has affected many people’s incomes, making it increasingly difficult to manage the household budget and stay out of debt. If you’re counting up the cost of Christmas and want to start 2021 getting on top of your finances, our friendly Welfare Rights & Money Advice team are here to help. Read on to discover their top money and budgeting tips below: Work out a budgetStaying in control of your money means having as much information on your income and outgoings as possible. Use an online budget planner to track your spending and work out what you can afford. This will help prevent you ending up in debt or getting caught out by unexpected costs, and in a better position to save for the future. There are also some great free budgeting apps available and your bank might have an online budgeting tool that takes information directly from your transactions. You can also download the personal budget sheet from our website. Check your benefit entitlementIf your income has changed it is important to check that that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. Check your benefit entitlement. Tips for saving money
Save for the unexpectedIt’s a good idea to include money on your budget planner to save for unexpected expenses such as repairing or replacing a fridge, cooker, washing machine or car and things like birthdays, Christmas and other religious festivals, children’s pocket money and school trips. By putting small amounts aside regularly you will be able to cope with these events without having to miss payments on other things, especially your rent. It’s a good idea to keep your savings in a separate account from the one you use for day-to-day income and outgoings. Check out Help to Save Account from the Money Saving Expert for more tips and advice on saving. Get help with debt problemsOur Welfare Rights & Money Advice team can help with debt and money worries. The team offers free confidential advice to help you budget manage your debts. Get in touch or call 023 8083 2339 for a confidential chat.
Sure Start/0-19 Early Help & Prevention Facebook Page
From Monday 4th January Sure Start East, West & Central are merging to one Citywide Facebook page. “ Sure Start Family Hub Southampton”
There will be activities for families to do at home , singing, stories, healthy cooking, ZOOM sessions, signposting to services re; health, wellbeing, training, employment plus much more Families with children 0-19 years: https://www.facebook.com/Surestartfamilyhubsouthampton
Festive afternoon tea at SeaCity café Enjoy a selection of tasty seasonal sweet and savoury treats. Check availability and food options here.
A COVID secure Walk-Through Nativity @ St James’ by the park Church is taking place between Sunday 20th to Weds 23rd. The church will be open between 10am-12pm and 2-4pm for people to take a walk through our building, stopping to listen, watch, read and reflect on what's been called "The Greatest story ever told" - through the eyes of Mary and Joseph, the Innkeeper and the Shepherds. Pause to light a candle or pray if you want to. There will be a goodie bag on the way out, for young and old. We recommend that you bringing a smart-phone or tablet, and a pair of headphones if you have them, to be able to enjoy the full experience. To find out more go to https://www.stjamesbythepark.org/christmas.html
For those who are missing the carol services and singing the churches in Shirley have worked together to produce an on line carol service. The premiere will be on Sunday 20th December @ 7pm and will be available, on the website, to watch at any point over the Christmas period. God to https://www.shirleychristmas.org.uk/ for more information and to watch the service, see if you can spot any familiar faces. Thank you for taking the time to read the email.
Have a great Christmas and stay safe.
Rich
Healthier Together is an online resource for parents with school age children. Dr Sanjay Patel has prepared a series of short videos for you on subjects like "How can I explain COVID-19 to my child or class?" Dr Patel filmed the videos to answer some of the questions being posed to him by parents and children about schools. The videos help explain why schools have put certain processes in place; why it is so important that children, parents and teachers comply with the rules; and why children are very unlikely to get unwell from COVID. You can watch all of Healthier Together's videos here
Christmas on a budgetChristmas is an expensive time of year and many families feel under pressure to spend more than they can afford in December. This year, with COVID-19 adding to many people’s money worries, it is more important than ever not to overspend on festive treats. If you are already struggling to pay your day to day bills on a tight budget the thought of Christmas expenses can be stressful, but by following our tips and planning ahead you can avoid debt this festive season.
If you’re worried about debt don’t bury your head in the sand. Talk to our Welfare Rights & Money Advice team who can help you find a way forward and avoid starting the 2021 in debt.
Important information for foreign citizens living in the UK TENANTS' LINK01.12.20 Important information for foreign citizens living in the UKIf you or someone you know is from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, it’s important you know how you will be affected after Brexit and what you need to do to continue living in the UK. Already have settled or pre-settled status? If you already have settled or pre-settled status, you are ready for the UK leaving the EU. This means that you can continue to work, live and study in the UK beyond 30 June 2021. What do I need to do? If you haven’t already been granted settled or pre-settled status, you need to apply to the EU settlement scheme. The online application process is straightforward for most people and there is currently no fee. You’ll need proof of your identity and residence when you make your application. The deadline for those living in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 to apply is 30 June 2021. Who needs to apply? An application must be made for every member of the family, as children and babies will need to secure an immigration status as well as adults. The scheme also applies to non-EU close family members currently living in the UK. It may apply to close family members living abroad too, enabling those persons to join up with their EU/EEA/Swiss family member in the UK. Even if you have lived in the UK for many years, or have a UK permanent residence document you still need to apply to the scheme. Need a helping hand? For more details visit the gov.uk website and for help or support with your application contact Citizens Advice Southampton by email on euss@sotoncab.org.uk or telephone 0800 246 5339.
Advent Trail: City Life Church, together with other friends and neighbours in the wider Shirley area have organised an Advent Trail. Each day leading up to Christmas a new part of the Christmas story will appear in a window on the trail. By 25th Dec there will be 25 window displays ending with Jesus’s birthday! They will remain until 31 Dec for local families to enjoy. There’s a map of the complete trail (see below) and every window has a sign saying where the next window will be.
Free Coding Activity for Kids! |