Community Activities

Bromley Heath Neighbourhood Watch

If you are interested in finding out more about the Bromley Heath Neighbourhood Watch (BHNW) or wish to contact them about anything specific, please visit their website at www.bhnw.org.uk.

Free welfare and benefits and debt advice on hand to residents

South Glouestershire residents who need help with managing their debt or claiming welfare benefits are being helped thanks to a local advice service.

South Gloucestershire Council has awarded a three year contract to a partnership of five local organisations to provide a free advice service for its residents. The partnership is made up of voluntary and community sector organisations incuding Avon & Bristol Law Centre, Age UK South Gloucestershire, Bristol Debt Advice Centre, North Bristol Advice Centre and South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau.

Regardless of circumstances, anyone can ask for advice from these agencies by going to one of the drop-in sessions which are run at community venues across South Gloucestershire.

As well as looking out for drop-in sessions run in your local area, you can phone for initial advice and a home visiting service is available for people unable to visit their offices in person. All the agencies provide general advice, with specialist knowledge in welfare benefit and debt advice. They can also help with advice ranging from employment to community care.

Contact the service's office nearest to you:

Bristol Debt Advice Centre (Old Market, Bristol) - 0117 954 3990 and www.bdac.org.uk

North Bristol Advice Centre (Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze) - 0117 951 5751

South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau (Yate) - 08444 111 444

Age UK South Gloucestershire (Thornbury) - 01454 411707

Avon & Bristol Law Centre (Stokes Croft, Bristol) - 0117 99248662

Volunteers needed to support families coping with a terminal illness

Marie Curie Cancer Care is currently recruiting volunteers who can provide one-to-one support to people with terminal cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers through its new Marie Curie Helper service in Bristol.

As a volunteer for this service, you will be put in touch with a local family so that you can offer them company, respite support and practical information on a one-to-one basis, according to their needs. For a few hours each week, you will provide a listening ear or respite for the carer so that they can take some time away from their caring role, usually by visiting people in their home.

Experience is not necessary. We will provide all the training you need for this role and you will receive ongoing supervision and support from your local service manager. We will also cover your travel expenses.

If you are aged 18 or over and have few hours to spare each week, please get in touch with the local service manager on 0845 3032777 or email bristolhelper@mariecurie.org.uk. For more information and to view short films on our service, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/helper.

You can also get in touch if someone you know could benefit from the support of a Marie Curie Helper.

CAB launches campaign to educate people on Employment Rights

South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau is currently undertaking research into local people's awareness of their workplace rights. They are also investigating employers who actively disregard employment rights. Their aim is to raise awareness of basic employment rights in the region, whilst also reminding rogue employers of their duty to adhere to national employment regulations.

Every year the CAB helps hundreds of workers whose workplace rights have been denied or ignored. Denial of paid holiday is one of the biggest problems reported.

Many are also unaware of their basic workplace rights. For example, in a recent pilot survey conducted by South Gloucestershire CAB, 12% of respondents who were employed did not have a written contract, but did not perceive this to be illegal or unfair. Others decide not to pursue rightful claims for fear of losing their jobs, or are put off by the prospect of a time consuming and potentially costly Employment Tribunal.

Beth Haines Doran, CAB Social Policy Assistant, says:"We want to hear from you if you are unsure of what your rights are. We also want to hear from you if you think you have been treated unfairly or denied your legal rights in the workplace. You can find your local Citizens Advice Bureau's opening hours at www.southgloscab.org.uk/. We have offices in Yate, Staple Hill, Thornbury and Bradley Stoke."

Alternatively please call 08444 111 444, Monday - Friday, 10am - 2pm."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

cab.socialpolicy@gmail.com

Things going on...

There is a wide variety of activities that take place at various venues in Downend and Bromley Heath. Some of the places you might want to check out are:-

Lincombe Barn http://www.downendfolkhouse.org.uk

Downend Library http://www.southglos.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/Libraries/

Badminton Road Methodist Church www.badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk

Downend Baptist Church http://db-church.paradigmcomputing.co.uk

Christ Church, Downend www.christchurchdownend.com

St Augustine of Canterbury www.staugustinesbristol.com

For other local information and services, visit www.standbrook-guides.com

For other useful sources of information, visit the Open Directory Project or the South Gloucestershire Information webpage.

South Gloucestershire Local Involvement Network endeavour to engage with the whole of South Gloucestershire, to enable the community to have a say in health and social care in the area. To find out more, visit www.linksouthglos.org.uk

National Blood Service

The National Blood Service (NBS) - part of NHS Blood and Transplant - is asking people to spare an hour of their time in 2010 to donate blood.

A single donation can be broken into three component parts (red cells, plasma and platelets) which means that your one donation can help save or improve the lives of up to three people.

Blood stocks are used up in a matter of days so the NBS counts on people continuing to step forward to donate blood. Certain blood products only have a shelf life of five days so the NBS need to constantly renew their stocks.

The NBS needs to collect 7,000 donations of blood each day to supply hospitals in England and north Wales with the blood products needed to treat patients. Blood is used for a wide-range of medical procedures including cancer care, general surgery, in maternity care and for accident and emergency situations.

Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk