The latest news from the Future of Essex Newsletter including;
The Essex Renewal Project’s report on renewal for the county following the Covid-19 pandemic. Details of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Restart Scheme, Active Essex share their Impact report and invite you to their Share-Connect-Collaborate networking event, and Community360 demonstrate how co-production has driven up numbers at the Dementia Cafe.
Essex Renewal Project: Renewal for the County of Essex
On behalf of Essex Partners, the Essex Renewal Project brought together a group of 22 commissioners, independent of any local or national government structures, to identify priority areas, opportunities, and recommendations for the county to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequent social and economic challenges, to improve outcomes for residents.
In its final report, which was published at the start of June 2023, the commissioners put forward 15 priority recommendations across the five themes of social justice, young people, community well-being, climate and nature crises and the green economy. The recommendations speak to the need for a collaborative effort to achieve Essex-wide ambitions. Renewal cannot be achieved by one organisation alone.
The Essex Renewal Project provides a unique opportunity for organisations across Essex to openly address and discuss these challenges. To discuss how we can build on the great work already happening, maximise our resources and increase the benefits for Essex residents and businesses.
Please read the full report which can be found here: Essex Partnership (essexfuture.org.uk), and if you have any ideas on how we can work together to maximise our efforts on any of these recommendations please get in touch via: EssexRenewalProject@essex.gov.uk
Free Mobile Data to Help Jobseekers Stay Digitally Connected
People in Essex who receive Universal Credit and have been out of work for at least nine months can now receive free mobile data.
This new offering from Reed in Partnership is thanks to them becoming a National Databank Hub – part of a national scheme run by the Good Things Foundation, to offer free mobile connectivity to people in need.
Reed in Partnership helps people receiving Universal Credit to find sustainable work through the Department for Work and Pensions’ Restart Scheme.
Now those using the Restart Scheme can also access free, pre-loaded SIM cards from eight locations in Essex. This helps them take advantage of digital opportunities that can help with their job search.
Essex County Council’s Digital Essex team helped Reed in Partnership become a National Databank Hub through its work to overcome the causes of digital exclusion.
Anyone interested in signing up to the Restart Scheme should speak to their work coach at the JobCentre Plus, who will refer them to Reed in Partnership.
Active Essex Launches 2022/23 Impact Report
Two years on from the launch of the systems ‘Fit for the Future’ strategy, Active Essex recently launched their 2022-23 Impact Report, highlighting learnings, breakthroughs and the current position of physical activity in Essex.
This year they have reflected on what they’re trying to achieve and how they measure impact. Working with the sector, Active Essex are continuing to strive to tackle inequalities, increase the level of enjoyment relating to physical activity and improve activity levels among adults and children across the county.
Take a look at the Active Essex 2022-2023 Impact Report, where you can hear from their Chair, explore the work achieved around the five strategic priorities and discover some of the fantastic initiatives and programmes which have taken place in our local districts and boroughs.
www.activeesseximpact.org
Essex Early Years and Childcare Parents Survey 2023
If you are a parent or carer in Essex, please share your views with us be completing our 2023 Parents and Carers Survey
This questionnaire is for parents and carers of children aged 0 – 19 years living in Essex. We want to hear about your family’s experience of childcare in Essex so that we can gain a greater understanding of what childcare arrangements you make and if your childcare needs are being met. We also want to hear about your experiences of your child starting primary school, the impact that the pandemic had on your child’s experiences and awareness of other services that may benefit your family.
Your information is valued and your responses will be treated in strictest confidence and will remain anonymous.
The survey will remain open until Friday 14th July 2023.
Share Connect Collaborate – A Free Networking Event
As a way of celebrating two years of Fit for the Future, the Essex Physical Activity and Sport strategy, Active Essex are hosting their second Share-Connect-Collaborate networking event on the 4th July at the Essex Business School on the University of Essex campus.
If you would like to join in the sharing and learning of the incredible work across Essex that is enabling individuals, families, and communities to enjoy the huge benefits of being active, then please sign up using the link below. You will also hear from nationally recognised inspirational keynote speakers, who will then lead workshops to explore their thought leadership in more depth.
https://www.activeessex.org/share-connect-collaborate/
Collaborative Working sees Dementia Café Going From Strength to Strength.
A fantastic example of collaborative working between three medical centres in North East Essex has seen Abbey Field Dementia Café more than double its attendance over the past few months.
Co-production is a different way of working where professionals and citizens make better use of each other’s assets, resources and contributions to achieve better outcomes. In this case providing a friendly and welcoming space for those who are living with dementia.
The café welcomes over 50 people each month at the Abbey Field Dementia Café, which is supported by Ambrose Avenue, Ardleigh and Abbey Field Medical Centres.
It provides an opportunity for people living with dementia, their families and carers to spend time in a relaxed and supportive environment; to enjoy socialising with others living with dementia; to relax, chat or take part in enjoyable activities; and to receive information and practical support.
Helen Clegg, Engagement Officer at Community360 said: “The response to the café has been overwhelming. The medical centres have demonstrated what can be achieved when partnership working is embraced. They have been pivotal in raising awareness to their patients that this wonderful café is available to them.
Tara Jones, Lisa Russell and Ellie Gibbons are the driving force behind the café. They reached out directly to people on their dementia registers to let them know about the café.
When it relaunched in October we had over 30 people walk through the door, now we are up to 56, which is an amazing achievement. Participants love coming to the café, it’s a relaxed atmosphere and the three surgeries are working well together.”
The café welcomes all (including caregivers, family & friends) and promotes that you’re able to live well with dementia.
The Abbey Field dementia café takes place the second Thursday of each month at the C3 Centre, Ypres Road, Colchester CO2 7FD, next to the Abbey Field Medical Centre and runs from 10:30 am to 12 noon. Parking spaces available.
For further information please contact
Ardleigh Surgery – 01206-230224
Abbey Field Medical Centre – 01206-517100
Ambrose Avenue Group Practice – 01206-549444
Community360 – 01206-505250
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