North East Lincolnshire Council’s Library Service is supporting a national campaign by The Collections Trust, and backed by the BBC and Google, to produce a complete database of all libraries across the country. It will enable visitors to use GPS technology to find library locations and the services that they offer. The more smartphone users that go to a library and ‘put it on the map’, the more accurate the information will be.

Smartphone users are asked to stand inside or by the door of their local library and open up http://www.findalibrary.org.uk on their phone. Then all they need to do is click ‘Use my location’ and ‘Put library on the map’ before enjoying the services available at the library.

By putting your library on the map you will be showing your support for your local library and helping other people find services.

In only takes a few minutes to put your library on the map, and once you are there, why not go in and enjoy some of the services on offer.

The North East Lincolnshire Winter Help Scheme now has a blog site which gives the latest information about the scheme.

You can find the site at http://ht.ly/8UWhe

I couldn’t help noticing while I was out shovelling snow from the front of my house this morning how many other people in my street were doing the same thing – it only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference to those who have to walk during the bad weather.

I hope that every one is making sure that their neighbours are managing during the cold spell. A fall might not be anything for younger people to bother about, but it can be very serious for older people in particular, who can seriously injure themselves and require long and expensive medical treatment, with some of them never recovering fully.

A partnership of Voluntary and Public sector organisations are working together in North East Lincolnshire to reduce unnecessary hardship for elderly and vulnerable people this winter should extreme bad weather occur.

Our Winter Planning campaign message to elderly and vulnerable people is:

“Don’t go out in extreme weather, advice and help will be available”

If you are a local resident who would be willing to become a volunteer and deliver essential supplies in an emergency, clear snow to give access to the homes of the people needing support, or if you would be willing to be a coordinator to manage the organized process of providing assistance through Volunteers.

If you are a local Business who feels your business could support the ‘Winter Planning scheme’ by releasing staff who may not be able to get in to work, or sponsoring promotional materials.

Or if are you a local resident with a four wheel drive vehicle that could help to deliver to isolated properties. The Winter Campaign would like to hear from you!

The Winter Campaign is also looking for people in the Community who would be prepared to help a vulnerable or elderly person in their neighbourhood in extreme weather conditions referred through a Coordinator in your area.

If you would like to Volunteer or be a Coordinator for this important role or would like to know more information please do not hesitate to contact us below.

For further details about the Winter Campaign and getting involved please contact Penny or Tayo on 01472 315437.

If you live in the Yarborough Ward why not contact one of your co-ordinators to let them know you are prepared to help?

Ring John Blanch (01472 317294) or Les Bonner (01472 310855)

Britain’s archaic library laws risk stifling reform and limiting vital services for the poorest members of society, council leaders are warning on National Libraries Day.

The Local Government Association, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, is calling for the half-century-old legislation which references gramophone records to be brought into the 21st Century of the internet.

In its response to the Government’s inquiry into library closures, it warns that as long as local authorities are bound by the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, which states the principal function of a library is the borrowing of books, they will forever be hamstrung in their efforts to modernise services. To effectively manage having their budgets slashed by 28 per cent, councils and their communities need to be freed from outdated legislation to find solutions which both save money and ensure residents keep receiving quality library services.

A major theme behind many library restructuring projects is a stronger emphasis on internet accessibility and linking them to job-hunting, training, literacy classes, health and social care – facilities and services vital to millions of individuals and families who cannot afford to buy the latest computers or smart phones.

Councillor Chris White, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:

“Libraries are among the most valued services provided by councils, and across the country councils are exploring innovative ways to keep providing quality library services while making the savings they need. They’re looking at opening libraries in shops, working with volunteer organisations, basing them in community centres which also provide jobs, training and health advice, sharing costs with fellow authorities, and making the most of new technologies like e-books.

“There’s great enthusiasm and potential to modernise our libraries in ways which better engage our younger generation, don’t alienate existing users and make the most of our diminished resources. However, every step of the way we’re having to navigate archaic laws which are acting as a barrier to reform. Book-borrowing is still a key element of a library, but increasingly important is making the internet and digital technology accessible to all so vast swathes of the population are not left behind.

“Councils don’t close libraries lightly and strive to find alternative solutions, but reducing services in smaller, older, little-used libraries which are often in old buildings with no disabled access means we have more cash to invest in others better suited to today’s needs. Reorganising libraries should rightly be done in consultation with our communities but campaigners can’t keep burying their heads in the sand and demand nothing change while harking back to childhoods which wouldn’t be recognised by youngsters growing up today.

“A library in the 21st Century can be a whole range of things, from a small e-book borrowing point based in a shop to part of a cultural hub which supports everything from education and lifelong learning to health, volunteering, art projects, job hunting and social care. Councils must be free to modernise library services without fear of contravening archaic legislation which was drawn up before the arrival of the internet and digital media.”

In 2010 the LGA, the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and 36 councils launched The Future Libraries Programme to explore innovative ways of providing services with less money which were fit for the 21st Century.

This was re-branded last autumn as The Libraries Development Initiative and became a joint scheme with the LGA and Arts Council England. There’s now £200,000 available for 10 pioneering projects with an emphasis on ensuring libraries remain at the heart of their communities, providing access to information, lifelong learning and culture. It builds on the proposals put forward under the Future Libraries Programme and promotes greater working with arts and cultural organisations, training and health projects, and commercial partnerships.

Last month the Society of Chief Librarians announced a National Digital Promise to reflect the changing face of libraries in the digital age. It sets targets of free access to the internet in every library, 24/7 access to a virtual library online, library staff trained to help people to go online, and the ability to join a library online.

Case studies of innovation:

Bradford Council is working with its communities to pilot a new “Library Links” scheme. The initiative will see new libraries opening in existing shops, existing libraries linking up with a neighbouring store or joint new developments between a library and local business. Working with retail partners often means longer opening hours, more space and greater potential for new library facilities. The council is consulting with residents and using population data to determine how needs may vary from place to place so they can tailor different “Library Links” to suit.

Lewisham Council has transferred three library buildings to a local social enterprise to create multi-use community hubs and increasing their opening hours. Library services continue to be available from the buildings where the social enterprise Eco Computer Systems (ECS) has introduced additional computer courses, a community radio, and other services linked to its computer recycling business. The Council owns the buildings, which are leased long-term to the social enterprise on a peppercorn rent. The Council is responsible for the stock, and ECS staffs the buildings with a part-time ‘community hub manager’ and volunteers. The multi-purpose community hubs provide book loans, free internet access, free training courses and a wide range of other local services. ECS raises income to help run the buildings through operating a social enterprise model – raising funds through recycling IT equipment, running training courses and hiring out training rooms, running a café and selling donated books online through Amazon. Future ideas include installing a café in each library, running a pop-up cinema and taster poetry sessions. Lewisham’s Community Library Service is part of the council’s development strategy and has so far saved £950,000.

Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea councils will be launching an integrated libraries and archives service in April managed as a single service across the three boroughs. This will see savings of more than £1 million a year and ensure all of their 21 public libraries stay open. Once fully implemented, it will mean residents will gain access to around 1 million books, hundreds of entertainment and cultural events and scores of weekly skills and education classes.

Hillingdon Council is just over half way through a £4 million programme to rebuild or refurbish all 17 of its libraries within six years. Innovative ideas, such as locating libraries alongside leisure centres and installing Starbucks coffee facilities where all profits go back into funding new books for residents, have helped encourage more visitors through the doors. The latest books, new Apple Mac computers, free online access and Wi-Fi as well as regular events and literary festivals, has led to a 50 per cent rise in visitor numbers across all the revamped libraries.

Staffordshire County Council is making e-books available to all library members. More than 1,000 titles can be borrowed, free of charge, for three weeks for use on book reading devices like iPhones or iPads. The download ‘expires’ after the loan period ends. It has also rolled out Wi-Fi access at all its main libraries.

Herefordshire and Shropshire councils, which both have very rural populations, are considering new partnership models for their libraries to reflect their differing needs. The programme will look at a range of delivery and management options, including charitable trust status and community-run libraries. Several community libraries are being set up in Herefordshire, largely staffed by volunteers, and the number of people receiving books through the home delivery service has almost doubled. Shropshire Council is working with partners to integrate libraries into service hubs which will locate several council services and external organisations in one place.

Read the LGA’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport committee inquiry into library closures

Libraries Development Initiative announced

Patients can now access a one stop information and advice website for all adult social care, health care and community support services available in North East Lincolnshire, at their local GP Surgery.

The services4me website was launched in four primary care practices in North East Lincolnshire during January, as part of a pilot project to offer members of the public easy access to information and advice about local care and support services.

www.services4.me.uk is accessible to everyone – individuals using adult social care or health care services, self-funders of care, carers, members of the public, health and social care professionals and providers of services can all make use of the resources available on the website.

Services4me touch screen computers and kiosks are now available for patient use in Freshney Green Primary Care Practice, The Raj Medical Centre, Pilgrim & Roxton Primary Care Practice and The Chantry Health Group Practice. Patients can now self-access information and advice on housing options, how to keep healthy, home care services, transport and leisure, benefits, caring, work, learning and links to national sources of help and support. Local residents can also search for support groups, clubs, activities and events happening in the local area. Services4me surgeries in these practices, will be run by community volunteers to help patients with information searching and demonstrate how to use the website.

Dr Nathalie Dukes, Freshney Green Primary Care Practice said:

“We welcome the introduction of Services4me in Freshney Green. The website is long overdue for our area, both patients and professionals can now find out what help and services are available in North East Lincolnshire on a wide range of health and social care related subjects. Services4me empowers individuals to take more control over their own lives.”

Carol Ranyard, Information Officer, The Pilgrim & Roxton Practice said:

“The Roxton Practice and Pilgrim Primary Care Centre users have close links with Community and host many of the outside Health Agencies within the waiting room.

“Our Patient Group are very active within the waiting room and are currently helping patients use the new Services4Me. We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Immingham, Councillor Michael Burton, to the launch of this new service. I see the new Services4Me as a great asset to our patients and other users of the Health Centre as the information is instantly available, carers and family members can also access this service on behalf of relatives.”

Services4.me.uk is still under development to offer local residents many more exciting and useful facilities. Individuals who may need help with social care needs, will soon be able to complete an on-line self-assessment. By registering on the website in a secure way, members of the public will be able to create their own user account and answer a few basic questions about the type of help they need, which is sent to A3 Service Advice Officers who will let individuals know whether they should go on to complete a full on-line self-assessment of their needs. Account holders will be able to use a messaging service, review their self-assessment and the information in their support plan and also connect to other on-line users.

In the future, services4me will offer an e-marketplace which means individuals will be able to browse a catalogue of health and social care related products and services, such as equipment, create their personal shopping basket of services and book or purchase these services on-line.

Sarah Avery, Care Trust Plus Transforming Care Communications Manager says:

“Services4me aims to give Individuals that need help and support, the tools they need to be more independent and as far as possible, control their own care.”

Visit www.services4.me.uk

The Humberside BikeSafe team have launched a new voucher scheme that enables family and friends to buy a BikeSafe vouchers for a loved one this Valentines Day.

The cost of a 2012 BikeSafe workshop has been kept at the 2011 price of £35 but the voucher can be for a lower amount which makes it a great present for Valentines Day. The voucher can be bought for any biking family member including mums, dads, granddads, grandmas, sons and daughters and friends can be included too.

The voucher is valid for 18 months as the workshops don’t start until the April but riders are encouraged to book their places as soon as possible as the workshop sessions are popular.

The BikeSafe workshop starts with a classroom session which explores the main issues facing today’s biker by raising awareness of hazard perception and explores the principles of advance riding. Whilst the on the road element with an advanced rider will highlight areas where the biker needs to develop.

The underlying principal of BikeSafe is to encourage skills for life. Riders should continue training throughout their riding years and not just stop after they have passed their bike test.

BikeSafe is about starting off on the path to training as it bridges the gap between the test and training. There are a range of motorcycle training options available, which can be a full advanced course or a one day enhanced riding scheme session. So that next years present sorted at well….

To find out more about BikeSafe in Humberside visit www.bikesafe.co.uk

If your home is poorly insulated, or you don’t have a working central heating system, you might be missing out on free help for insulation and heating improvements.

Consumer Focus and National Energy Action are warning that many grants are going unclaimed. This means there is spare money left in the scheme, despite the government cuts. Some people may have not claimed because they thought there is no money left or that they aren’t entitled to get any help.

You can get help if you own your home or rent from a private landlord and it’s poorly insulated or your central heating isn’t working. You and your partner also need to be getting one of the following benefits:

•Pension Credit, or

•Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-based Employment and Support Allowance and there is also either a child under five in your household, or a pensioner, or anybody who is severely disabled

If so, you could get help with the following:

•loft insulation

•draughtproofing

•cavity wall insulation

•hot water tank insulation

•gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating

•glass-fronted fire – the Warm Front scheme can convert your solid-fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire

If you think you might be eligible, it’s best to apply before 31 March, before the money for this year is used up.

For more information about the Warm Front scheme and how to apply, go to the Directgov website at www.direct.gov.uk/warmfront, or call 0800 408 0688.

For more information about this scheme and other help that is available, there is more information available from the Citizens Advice Bureauadvice guide at http://ht.ly/8Pgo5

Service users can now access a one stop information and advice website for all adult social care, health care and community support services available in North East Lincolnshire, at their local GP surgery.

The services4me website has been launched in four primary care practices in North East Lincolnshire as part of a pilot project to offer members of the public easy access to locally relevant information and advice about care and support services.

www.services4.me.uk can be used by everyone, whether you are using adult social care or health care services, self-funding your own care, if you are a carer, or you simply want to find out more about adult health and social care services and support in your local community.

People can see the range of options available to them and have greater choice and control over the services and help they require, to meet their personal needs.

Easy to use Services4me touch screen computers and kiosks are now available for patient use in Freshney Green Primary Care Practice, The Raj Medical Centre, Pilgrim & Roxton Primary Care Practice and The Chantry Health Group Practice. Patients can access to information on housing options, how to keep healthy, home care services, transport and leisure, benefits, caring, work and learning and much more . You can also search for support groups, local clubs, activities and events happening in your area.

Sarah Avery, Care Trust Plus Transforming Care communications manager says: “Services4me aims to give people that need help and support, the tools they need to be more independent and as far as possible, control their own care.

“With Services4me in the practices, the public can self-access information and advice in a range of areas and we will be running Services4me surgeries to show people how to use the website and help with information searching. We aim to expand services4me into other local community venues and GP practices.”

Dr Nathalie Dukes, Freshney Green Primary Care Practice said;
“We welcome the introduction of Services4me in Freshney Green. The website is long overdue for our area, both patients and professionals can now find out what help and services are available in North East Lincolnshire on a wide range of health and social care related subjects. Services4me empowers individuals to take more control over the own lives.”

Carol Ranyard, information officer, The Roxton Practice said; “The Roxton Practice and Pilgrim Primary Care Centre users have close links with Community and host many of the outside Health Agencies within the waiting room.”

“Our Patient Group are very active within the waiting room and are currently helping patients use the new Services4Me. We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Immingham, Councillor Michael Burton, to the launch of this new service. I see the new Services4Me as a great asset to our patients and other users of the Health Centre as the information is instantly available, carers and family members can also access this service on behalf of relatives.”

Services4.me.uk is still under development and over the next 6 months and will offer local residents many more exciting and useful facilities.

Visit www.services4.me.uk. The Care Trust Plus Single Point of Access offers community health and social care information and advice. To speak to an advice officer call (01472) 256256.

Act now, before temperatures drop. That is the message from the the North East Linciolnshire Home Energy Team, to ensure properties have adequate heating and insulation.

Last winter was the coldest in over 30 years and the council and its partner, Balfour Beatty, is advising residents there may be grants available that can help them keep their homes warmer this year and for future years to come.

For example, the government’s Warm Front scheme can offer a grant of up to £3,500 for heating and insulation measures for those who qualify and are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Pension credit

• Income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance or

• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) which includes a work related activity or support component and have any of the following:

• Parental responsibility for a child under five who ordinarily resides with that person

• Child tax credit, which must include a disability or severe disability element for a child or young person

• Disabled child premium

• Disability premium, enhanced disability or severe disability element premium

• Pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium

The council also runs a discounted insulation scheme for homeowners and may be able to obtain loft insulation for £99 or cavity wall insulation for £89, subject to survey.

If you are over 70 or in receipt of means tested benefits or tax credits, you may be able to receive free insulation. And for those between the ages of 60 to 69 insulation can be available for just £49.

To find out more, contact the home energy team on (01472) 324782.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has welcomed the Government’s announcement that a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail has been reached.

After ending Labour’s Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office, this deal made by the Liberal Democrat Minister for Postal Affairs gives additional certainty to subpostmasters across the UK and covers the full range of Royal Mail products available at post offices such as first and second class post, parcels, air mail, recorded and special deliveries.

Commenting, Mark Williams said:

“After years of Post Office closures under the Labour Government, it is excellent news that Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing by ensuring that the Post Office has a sustainable future ahead of it through investment, and by brokering this deal with Royal Mail. Post Offices are a vital part of our communities and are the lynchpin of our towns and villages, even more so in our rural communities in Ceredigion.

“Labour left Royal Mail in a terrible mess, and I am pleased that it is Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government who have stopped closures and put Royal Mail and the Post Office on a secure footing. These plans mean that we will never see the kind of planned closures that devastated local communities under the previous Government.”