IRU - Friday 24th June 2022 | Healthwatch Stockport

Welcome to this week's Information Round-up!

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July Awareness Days

Take a look at the latest awareness days and campaigns for July.

July awareness days

[SERVICE] HAF Is Back This Summer

Message from Lee Elliot (Stockport Council)

The Holiday Activities and Food scheme (HAF) has returned for the summer holidays, and we want to make as many people aware of the benefits of the scheme as possible, whilst encouraging eligible parents and carers to secure a spot!

The HAF scheme is funded by the Department for Education and entitles children on benefits-related school meals to an activity-filled summer holiday with free and healthy nutritious meals!

HAF is a brilliant way to offer a broad range of exciting activities at no extra cost to parents or carers. Giving children memorable holidays through local government funding, the HAF programme is helping to make a lasting impact in local communities.

Bringing people together and opening the doors to everyone is exactly what HAF is all about, and we encourage eligible parents and carers to apply for the scheme.

HAF providers such as local schools, voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers are responsible for delivering the programme which could include sports, workshops, nature walks, enriching creative activities and much more!

Eligible parents and carers can find more details, apply and learn more about the programme on Stockport Council’s website.

[SERVICE] Walthew House Deaf Service Provision

Message from Naomi Mather (Walthew House)

Just an update, we have extended our service offer and are now offering appointments to the Deaf community on Mondays 9am-4pm, Thursdays 9am-4pm and Fridays 9am – 9:30pm. Please can you share/include in any service updates.

[UPDATE] Updates from from Digital Stockport - DigiKnow

Message from Renuka Parmar (DigiKnow)

New guide launched to help support residents to do digital in later life

93,000 over 75s are digital excluded in Greater Manchester with a third never having used the internet. Research shows that the pandemic hasn’t led to a big rise in over 75s going online. GMCA and Good Things Foundation have joined forces to produce a brand-new practical guide to support more people to get online and benefit from doing digital in later life. Find out more and download ‘Doing digital in later life’ on their website.

DigiKnow Device Library and Databank update

To refer someone in need of a device, please use Starting Point’sreferral formor call the DigiKnow Helpline on the new number: 07724 217888. It generally takes around two weeks to organise a device loan. Starting Point have produced fliers for both the device library and databank, which are attached to this email.

Recycling scheme update

Community Computers have received 2,600 donations so far from Stockport residents and businesses! Please spread the word to encourage people to donate to this local scheme. Donations can be dropped off at any open Stockport library or at Renewal North West’s shop. Or call Community Computers on 0161 476 2777 to arrange a bulk collection. There are a number of fliers attached to this email that provide further information about the scheme and data destruction.

Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH) – Libraries event.

Stockport Libraries are working with The Barclays Eagle Labs Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH). They have organised a half day robotics workshop working with local school children on 28th June. They are also planning a half day targeted at upskilling & training for SMEs.

Barclays DiSH aims to drive innovation and growth across the digital and cyber security sectors in Greater Manchester, support 500 start-up businesses and create over a thousand jobs within the digital security and innovation sector. DiSH will also provide a range of cyber and digital educational initiatives across the region, including training and support for businesses, business owners and employees through workshops and seminars and upskilling over 1000 individuals in the next five years. In addition, DiSH will inspire and educate the future workforce by offering cyber and digital skills workshops working with local primary schools, colleges and employers. Organisations and businesses can find out more on the website.

Digitober and Get Online Week

Although October seems quite a while away, we have already started planning for ‘Digitober’ – a month-long focus on digital, across GM, which includes the national Get Online Week. We are in the process of mapping regular digital inclusion provision across Stockport, so we can identify any gaps to fill. Could you please ensure you have included your regular DigiKnow support sessions in the Digital Skills part of the Events calendar, so they can be included.

We are also hoping for new ideas for activities or events that could be delivered during the month. Please email us with any suggestions, if you would like to use the One Stockport Hub or any of our libraries for an event or if you require support from Digital Champions.

[BLOG] Living Well with Poland Sydrome

Message from Sam Fillingham (PIP-UK)

Living Well Blog

Find out about the living well sessions, based on feedback from the young people involved.

More information

[SERVICE] Become an Art Pen Pal

Message from Hannah Flint (ARC)

I am writing to let you know that Arc have launched a new creative project for house-bound people living in Stockport, Oldham and Tameside.

'Art Pen Pals' will pair up people who are unable to join our face to face or online groups for any reason (caring responsibilities, physical or mental ill health etc.) with a volunteer buddy, with whom they can exchange creative works by post ( e.g. poetry/collage/watercolour/embroidery/sketching...)

For more information

Attached is a flyer about becoming an art pen pal

Art Pen Pals Flyer

Download (PDF 677 KB)

[SERVICE] Disability Stockport - Live at Ease

Message from Gavin Jones (Disability Stockport)

Please find attached our new 2 page flyer for you to share, hand out, and pass on.

LaE Support Flyer - JunE 2022

Download (PDF 956 KB)

[SERVICE] Free Diabetic Eye Screening Tests

Message from Karen Tildesley (Greater Manchester South Diabetic Eye Screening Programme)

More information about free diabetic eye screening tests attached to the flyer

Diabetic Eye Screening flyer

Download (PDF 345 KB)

[SERVICE] British Red Cross Mobility Aids Service

Message from Gill Taylor British (Red Cross Mobility Aids Service)

Please see the attached leaflet

BRC Mobility Aids Information

Download (PDF 1.81 MB)

[SERVICE] Food Providers

Message from Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes)

Here’s a handy guide to local food providers – see attached flyer for details.

Food Providers

Download (PDF 317 KB)

[EVENTS] Signpost events for carers - July 2022

Message from Julia Hewer (Signpost for Carers)

I’m so excited to share our plans for carers in July. We have loads of special events planned, as well as all the regular activities and groups that are available from Signpost and our Carer Support colleagues at Stockport & District Mind Carers Service.

These activities are open to anyone with an unpaid caring role, no matter the age or condition of the carer or cared for. Please spread to your contacts and encourage anyone that you know (colleagues, clients, friends and neighbours!) to book on. All the regular things available are on our website, so that’s probably the best place to start – we wouldn’t want anyone to miss out.

What's on in July - Signpost for Carers

Download (PDF 80 KB)

[EVENT] SPARC’s Well-Being & Social Inclusion Friendly Football Event

Message from David Richards (SPARC)

Stockport Progress and Recovery Centre will host it very first well-being and social inclusion friendly football competition the emphasis for this event is firmly placed on Well-Being and Social Inclusion.

Event Details

Cost - This competition is FREE to enter!

Date - We are aiming for some time in late August/September: To Be Confirmed.

Time – Day time, possibly 10:00am till 4:00pm: To Be Confirmed.

Venue - Stockport Power League, Craig Rd, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 2AP

Refreshments - We will be providing free food and drink throughout the day.

Structure – This will be a Cup and Plate competition. We will try and match “team for team” regarding ability (depends on how many teams enter).

Accolade - There will be trophies, medals and certificates for everyone plus a special award.

The attached poster is to gain an interest in the event

Football Poster

Download (PDF 844 KB)

[GROUP] County's Adult Active Group

Message from Matthew Bailey (Stockport County FC)

As most of you are aware Stockport County FC affiliated charity The County Community Trust is delivering a weekly free Adult Active Session every Monday at the Power League Centre, Heaton Mersey 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.

County Adult Active Group Flyer

Download (PDF 761 KB)

[GROUPS] Stockport and District Mind

Message from Joanne Mallaber (Stockport and District Mind)

See attached flyer for more details.

Groups Info -Stockport MIND

Download (OCX 81 KB)

[GROUP] Make a difference - Shine Youth Group

Message from Sena Melillo (Shine make a difference)

Session for young people with additional needs - every Wednesday. For more information see the flyer attached.

Shine Youth Group Flyer

Download (PDF 74 KB)

[GROUPS] Marple Senior Citizens - what's on?

More information on flyer.

Whats on Marple Senior Citizens

Download (PDF 73 KB)

[JOB] Beechwood Cancer Care

Message Amy Worrall (Beechwood Cancer Care)

Volunteer Co-Ordinator

More information

[JOB] Stockport and District Mind

Message from Joanne Mallaber (Stockport and District Mind)

Fundraiser and Communications Officer

More information

You can also see the attached document for more information.

The closing date for the job is noon on Thursday 7th July.

Fundraiser and Comms Officer Advert

Download (OCX 31 KB)

Training Updates from Chris Hughes

Messages from Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes)

- We running our brilliant (if I say so myself) SFL+ Level 2 Certificate in Participation course again (2nd August) – see attached flyer for details.

- We are very excited to announce our new SFL+ Canine First Aid course (4th July) - see attached flyer for details.

- Free Upcoming event for autistic people, families or friends of autistic people and Employment support organisations (8th July) – see attached flyer for details.

- Brinnington Big Local are starting their Growing Up a Storm competition (2nd July) – see attached flyer for details.

- Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust have a new Silvercloud offer to help people with their mental health – see the link below and the attached flyers for details.

Level 2 Certificate in Participation course

Download (PDF 336 KB)

Canine First Aid course

Download (PDF 336 KB)

Free Upcoming event for autistic people

Download (PDF 196 KB)

Growing Up a Storm competition

Download (PDF 332 KB)

Silvercloud offer

Download (PDF 2 MB)

[SURVEY] How can we support a healthy workforce in the VCFSE sector?

Message from Laura Bowers (Sector3)

We know from the Stockport State of the VCSE sector research that there are around 10,000 paid staff and 57,000 volunteers working in charities, community groups, faith-based organisations and social enterprises across Stockport.

This is a massive workforce of people who are dedicated to doing good in their communities.

We also understand that the Covid19 pandemic has had a major impact on workforce wellbeing, retention and recruitment in VCFSE sector organisations – and that there are inequalities within our sector, just as there are in communities.

Over the next 18 months, Sector3 will be working with other infrastructure organisations across Greater Manchester to improve our support on workforce issues – including matters such as HR support, leadership development, workplace wellbeing and recruitment.

But before we do that, we want to find out what is important to you right now. Is it recruitment? Is it salaries?

This is a unique opportunity to look at what challenges and opportunities there are to supporting the single most important thing in all our organisations: our people.

Complete the survey

[SURVEY] Ring and Ride Survey: deadline extension

I’m getting in touch to confirm that our Ring and Ride survey has been extended until Sunday 3rd July. Please feel free to share the information below with any relevant groups or networks who might be interested in submitting a response.

This survey is designed to be completed by groups or organisations who have an interest in the Ring and Ride service, either on behalf of their members who use/would be interested in using the Ring and Ride service or from a policy perspective. The survey launched on 12th May and will run until 3rd July.

Complete the survey