AIS Direct - December

AIS Direct

Christmas Cover

December 2019


Welcome to the December edition of the AIS Direct newsletter and the final issue of 2019!

Some exciting festive events and information are included this month as well as advice on how to cope through this busy time of year.

We will be back with the next newsletter in 2020, if there is anything you would particularly like to see in it or future editions or if you have any comments to make please email us ais@northlincs.gov.uk

If you would like to look back at previous copies of the newsletter, visit the council website.

All of us at the Adult Information Service would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.


Christmas Market at Normanby Hall


Normanby Christmas market

Travelling historical market comes to Normanby Hall for Christmas

Step back in time this Christmas as Normanby Hall Country Park is set to welcome the Travelling Christmas Historical Market for the first time.

The market will be open from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December offering a unique experience for visitors in the grounds of the stunning 300 acre country park.

Find out more about the Travelling Christmas Historical Market on the council website

 


Your guide to a stress free Christmas


stress free christmas

Independent Age has a useful guide available to download covering all topics of how you can enjoy a stress free Christmas such as:

  • budgeting for Christmas
  • what to do if you’re worried about feeling lonely
  • how to plan for family visits
  • what to consider if you’re celebrating Christmas with someone with dementia.

Christmas can come with many pressures so follow the tips in this guide to make it as stress free as possible.

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Help for Homeless People


hands

Help at hand for homeless people during cold winter months

The council is working with the New Life Church on Brumby Wood Lane in Scunthorpe to provide a place for homeless people to stay overnight, at least twice a week from now until 1 March 2020.

The church will be open two nights per week, every week, plus extra nights when the weather is classed as severe.

Read more about the support available this winter on the council website.Read more about the support available this winter on the council website.

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Adult Education and Community Learning courses


working on comps

Do you fancy a new start in the New Year? Take a  look at the courses available for adult and community learning. 

There are a range of courses that will support you to learn new skills, progress to further learning, find employment or improve your career prospects.

Learners value the open and welcoming atmosphere which provides an inclusive and supportive environment. Ninety-five per cent of  learners said they are likely to recommend us to friends and family.

There are lots of courses on offer including:

  • Qualifications
  • Skills for employment
  • Courses to improve your wellbeing
  • English
  • Maths
  • Business administration
  • Customer service
  • English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
  • Teaching assistant courses
  • Computer and digital skills
  • Family learning

Entry level: Designed for people with no qualifications and will help you improve your reading, writing and digital skills.
Level 1: To gain basic knowledge and skills. This may also be linked to employment skills.
Level 2: An ideal route into a career or provide an opportunity to get qualifications that prepare you for study at a higher level.

Read more on the Adult and Community Learning webpage on the council website.

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Residents' Panel - have your say


Residents panel

Residents in North Lincolnshire can now register their interest in joining the ‘Residents’ Panel’ to have their say on living in the area.

The online panel is due to launch in early 2020 and will be made up of local people who the council will contact to get a better understanding of residents’ views on local issues.

Panel members will be sent regular surveys asking for views on a range of topics. Members will be regularly updated on how the results are being used to shape and improve local services.

Around 1,500 people will be recruited from across North Lincolnshire to join the consultative body of local people. Members will help identify priorities and shape future developments.

The panel members, who will be periodically refreshed, will be invited to take part in a rolling programme of research and consultation including regular surveys, focus groups and workshops.

To register your interest in joining go to the Residents’ Panel page.

Anybody who is aged 16 or above and lives in North Lincolnshire can apply to join the panel.

To ensure that the panel is representative of North Lincolnshire’s diverse population, acceptance onto the panel is not automatic. People will be contacted in early 2020 to let them know if they have been accepted or not. Anyone who is not accepted will be added to a reserve list.

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Fancy a good book?


reading

Would you like to use the library, but can’t get out and about?  We may be able to help you.  The Home Library Service provides a free service to people who are unable to visit their local library in person, as a result of illness, injury or disability.

Our friendly and helpful volunteers will deliver books and audio books to you in your own home.  Or perhaps you would like to apply to be one of our Home Library Service volunteers?

 Details of both can be found on the Library web pages.

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Home Security


door key

Although burglary isn't very common, it makes sense to take precautions. There are many simple and effective ways you can improve your home security and you can get help to put measures in place.

There is lots of useful information on the Independent Age  website. You can also download the Home Security leaflet. 

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Action Station Drop In and One to One Appointments


action station

FREE new service in Epworth 

Looking for work? Need support?

Action Station, with its partners, is a one-stop shop for skills and employment. We offer a number of services to enhance your employment prospects. Available to anyone 16 and over.

  • Writing a CV or updating your existing CV
  • One to one support with job search
  • Help with job applications
  • Interview Techniques
  • Accessing training opportunities and education
  • Voluntary work

20 and 27 November, 4, 11 and 18 December.  If the service is well supported it will continue every week after Christmas. 

Please come along to Epworth Community & Wellbeing Hub, High Street, Epworth, DN9 2HL or phone 01724 296969 to make an appointment.

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Carers' Support Centre


Do you have a few hours to spare? Would you like to help others who are unpaid Carers?

Volunteer Drivers Needed - especially for the Scunthorpe Area (Expenses paid at 40p per mile)

 What else could you do?

  • Assist in providing information at events
  • Befriend a Carer
  • Support Carers within a Peer Support group
  • Visit or telephone an isolated person in their own home to offer support or information
  • Help us to fundraise
  • Offer skills such as counselling or computer tuition
  • Qualified therapists can offer their time to provide relaxation therapies

If you think this could be for you then the Carers' Support Service would love to hear from you.  Contact them on 01652 650585.

Carers’ Support Service Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas can be a difficult time of year for those caring for someone who is ill or disabled. Should you need someone to talk to over the festive period, please see the Helpline opening hours below.

Our office will be closed from Wednesday 25 December until Thursday 2 January.

The Helpline – 01652 650585 - will be open from 9am to 5pm on Friday 27, Saturday 28, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 29 December.

The Carers’ Support Centre office will re-open on 2 January 2019.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Wishes to you all.


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What's On


What's On

carols

Scunthorpe Carol Service at St. Lawrence's Church

4 December  2019 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Local singers will be taking part in a special carol service for Scunthorpe General Hospital at St. Lawrence's Church, Church Lane, Scunthorpe.  It starts at 5:30pm for an hour and is followed by refreshments.  A free event for all.

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Folk Music

Folk Nights

8 December at 4pm - Christmas Folk at Wesley Memorial Church, Epworth.  Call 01427 872319 for information.

11 December  at 8pm - Folk night in Kirton at The Queens Head.  All folk singers and musicians are invited to perform and those who just want to listen are very welcome.  Call 01652 648589 for information.

14 December  at 8:30pm - Scotton Folk Night at The Three Horseshoes.  An informal singaround where singers, instrumentalists and those who just want to listen are welcome.  Call Steve on 07711 550513 or the pub on 01724 763129.

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wold singers

The Wolds Singers present ‘A Festive Christmas Celebration’ at Old Brumby United Church

13 December  at 7:30pm

The Wold Singers present ‘A Festive Christmas Celebration’ on Friday 13 December from 7.30pm at Old Brumby United Church in Scunthorpe.

Tickets cost £6, which includes refreshments.

You can get your tickets from Ann on 01724 857442 or Sylvia on 01724 857442 or on the door on the night.

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museum

Memories at the Museum

Take a walk down memory lane and join our new discussion sessions for people with an interest in local history. Get together and chat about your memories with a member of our team who will have a selection of photos and items from the past. Each week has a different theme and we'd love to see your items and images too.  Spark memories and make new friends over tea and coffee.

The next session is on Thursday 19 December from 10:30-11:30 at North Lincolnshire Museum on Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7BD.  For more information contact 01724 297055.

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children playing football

Children and Young People's Activity Guide

There are lots of activities for children, young people and their families to do in North Lincolnshire that are free and low cost.  Use the online calendar to discover what’s on for your family over the coming weeks.

If your child has a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) there are some activities listed which are specifically aimed at your family. You can find them by clicking on the ‘SEND’ tag. You can also access Short Breaks. These provide an opportunity for a disabled child or young person (0-18 years old) to take part in free fun activities.

However, our aim is to help any child to access the activities they are interested in and remove barriers wherever possible. If your child would like to access one of the activities listed on our guide, but you are not sure if their needs will be met by the activity provider, please call us on 01724 296629 to discuss your needs. We will liaise between you and the activity provider to try and make the activity as accessible as possible for all.

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